Craft Beer Conversation: 6 Michigan Christmas Beers To Try This Holiday Season

(WWJ) -- Holiday season is in full swing and there are dozens of locally brewed Christmas-themed beers to indulge in.

WWJ's Zach Clark, on the search for the best of the best when it comes to craft beer in metro Detroit, has a handful of local holiday brews that will give you that warm, seasonal feeling, each with its own distinct flair and twist on the classic holiday beer style to make your days merry and bright.

Atwater Brewery's Lebkuchen Christmas Ale

Atwater delivers that classic seasonal warm, copper color with the malty Lebkuchen Christmas Ale. The way it's aged rounds out the mouth feel and it's spiced just right, so this bock leaves you with that warm, wintry feeling.

Jolly Pumpkin's Noel De Calabaza

This Belgian dark, strong ale -- which roughly translates to "holiday pumpkin" -- is an aged, malty beer, but the spice is offset with fruity undertones. It's one of the hoppier holiday selections you'll find. 

Frankenmuth Brewery's Christmas Town Ale

Nothing screams Christmas like Frankenmuth, which was recently named America's best destination for Christmas spirit. This offering from Frankenmuth is the quintessential holiday beer -- dark and malty, with all the lovely holiday spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and clove left dancing on your pallet.

North Peak Brewing Co.'s Piney 

This Spruce Tip IPA is a unique take on a holiday beer, with hops and spruce tips combining to make you feel like you're the star atop the Christmas tree. North Peak has locations in Traverse City and Dexter.

Bell's Christmas Scotch Ale

This is one of the holiday staples on the Michigan craft beer scene and Bell's claims it's "certain to make any occasion festive, or at least a bit more bearable." The ABV has increased over the years (this year, it's 7.50%), but the rich, malty body with caramel notes has stayed consistent. 

Griffin Claw Brewing Co.’s 3 Scrooges Winter Ale

The 3 Scrooges Winter Ale is similar to a standard holiday brew, but the sweetness of orange and honey take it over the top, all with a seasonal spice that can only come from a clove.

Do you have any other favorite locally made holiday beers? Let us know about some of the other best Michigan-made Christmas brews!

Have a favorite brewery or brewpub you want Zach to highlight in his “Craft Beer Conversation” series? Reach out on Twitter -- @ZachEClark -- or via email at Zach.Clark@entercom.com