The famous Stella Artois was first brewed as a Christmas beer in 1366 as a holiday gift from the makers to the people of Leuven, Belgium. So you could say cracking open a cold one is paying homage to the merriest of seasons—and why not carry on the tradition more locally?
Richmond’s Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is taking holiday drinks to a whole new level with their 24 Beers + Holiday Ornament Advent Calendar. Count down to Dec. 25 with beers like Christmas Morning, a gingerbread stout with locally roasted Guatemalan and Colombian coffee from Blanchard’s, or Christmas Pancakes, a gingerbread stout with local maple syrup.
Beer isn’t the only festive pour this season at Hardywood; the calendar also includes a Gingerbread Bourbon Cru, the Gingerbread Bourbon Barrel Barleywine in collaboration with Heaven Hill and A. Smith Bowman, Bourbon Caliente, and more. From wine to bourbon to beer, Virginia knows how to celebrate. Hardywood.com
Photos by Nick Davis | Hardywood
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s 24 Beers + Holiday Ornament Advent Calendar
More Holiday Hops
2822 Fallfax Dr., Falls Church
Le Grand Chocolat is a bourbon barrel-aged chocolate stout that is just as decadent as it sounds. Notes of rich chocolate and coffee make this brew irresistible during the holiday season.
401 Second St., Williamsburg
The Evil Santa milk stout isn’t so evil after all—one sip will get you all warm and fuzzy. The Virginia Beer Co. releases new variations of this spiced brew as the holiday season progresses. Flavors include original milk, vanilla, mocha, and their Double-Evil Santa stout.
2351 Glade Rd., Blacksburg
Rising Silo’s Thunder Snow Stout is brewed with oatmeal — perfectly hearty, made with cold brew and real vanilla beans. This American stout is ideally enjoyed after “a strike of lightning hits your snowman.”
9519 Critzers Shop Rd., Afton
The Blitzen is a seasonal specialty at Blue Mountain Brewery. The Belgian dark, strong ale displays notes of sugar and spice while remaining bold and dry — the perfect fuel for a night of flying Santa’s sleigh!
This article originally appeared in the December 2025 issue.
