Today’s Advent beer pick comes to us from Detroit, Michigan, home of Atwater Brewery, which originally focused on brewing German-style lagers but now has a wide variety of ales in the lineup. The holiday beer is Lebkuchen Christmas Ale, which the brewery lists as a “winter bock.” The inspiration for this beer comes from German baked Christmas treat Lebkuchen, which resembles gingerbread.

Brewed with respect to the season, Atwater’s Winter Bock boasts the body and deep malt flavors matched with a warming, but well blended hint of alcohol. Extended aging reduces the sharpness and acidity typically apparent in strong ales.

According to Untappd, the beer is “Spiced subtly with locally produced ginger and almond flavorings.” To me this sound like just the drink—instead of milk—to accompany the plate of cookies you leave out for Santa.

Find Atwater Lebkuchen Christmas Ale on:

• Untappd
• BeerAdvocate
• RateBeer
• Facebook