As the holidays approach, craft breweries are rolling out variety packs filled with seasonal beers and playful themes. From nostalgic Christmas ales to clever advent calendars, here’s a quick reminder to experiment with some variety packs at the end of the year here. These multi-brand packs showcase the creativity, balance and variety coming out of today’s craft brewers. They also make great gifts, especially for yourself. Here’s just, um, a sample of what’s out there right now.
Tröegs mixes the elves for holiday fun
Tröegs Independent Brewing continues its Pennsylvania holiday tradition with The Most Wonderful Beer of the Year pack. The 12-pack spotlights the brewery’s iconic Mad Elf Ale and several creative spinoffs. Alongside the cherry-and-honey original, the pack includes Naked Elf (a simplified version), Mad Dreams (a Mad Elf–DreamWeaver hybrid), and Chocolate Elf (a blend with Grand Cacao Stout, now in cans for the first time). Tröegs also offers hop lovers its winter Perpetual Exploration pack featuring Perpetual IPA, Graffiti Highway IPA and Double IPA, and Blizzard of Hops.
Flying Dog embraces the awkward moments
Maryland’s Flying Dog Brewery takes a humorous approach with the Family Drama Holiday Survival Pack. Each beer name pokes fun at the tension and chaos of family gatherings — from Passive Aggressive Pils to Awkward Silence Black Lager. The pack also includes Why Are They Here? Imperial Red IPA and Tension Tamer Hazy IPA. It’s a playful reminder that sometimes the best way to survive the holidays is with a well-timed beer and a sense of humor.
Schlafly’s Party Pack celebrates classic styles
St. Louis’ Schlafly Beer brings together four approachable favorites in its new Party Pack. The 12-pack features Kölsch, Munich Helles, Crisp IPA, and Dunkel — a mix of bright, malt-forward, and hop-driven options for fall gatherings. The lineup highlights Schlafly’s range. The gold medal–winning Kölsch remains a fan favorite, while Crisp IPA adds a modern touch at 7% ABV. The inclusion of traditional German lagers like Helles and Dunkel rounds out a sampler built for bonfires and casual parties.
Great Lakes goes south with Christmas Ale
Cleveland-based Great Lakes Brewing Co. is celebrating the season with expansion and nostalgia. The brewery’s first Florida distribution arrives alongside its Holiday Pack, featuring six cans of its legendary Christmas Ale and six cans of Cookie Exchange Milk Stout. This year’s Cookie Exchange flavor — Berry Jam Thumbprint — adds a dessert-inspired note to the mix. It’s a sweet complement to Christmas Ale’s spiced, honeyed character. The combo makes for one our of favorite holiday packs, being from Cleveland and all.
Collective Arts offers 24 days of craft creativity
Hamilton, Ontario’s Collective Arts returns with its 2025 advent calendars — one alcoholic, one zero proof. Both versions showcase 24 full-sized drinks decorated with artwork by Art Club Mary. The Beer & Cocktail Calendar features a rotating mix of beers, limited-edition releases, and ready-to-drink cocktails. The Zero Proof version focuses on non-alcoholic brews, sparkling waters, and new adaptogenic elixirs. Each box turns beverage discovery into a daily event and underlines Collective Arts’ ongoing creativity in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic categories. Hurry, their deadline to preorder is this week! Click here!
A strong finish to the craft beer year
From Tröegs’ inventive elf lineup to Collective Arts’ artistic countdown, this year’s variety packs highlight how independent brewers blend flavor, tradition, and fun. Whether you’re sharing with friends or gifting a beer lover, these seasonal samplers offer something for everyone on the list.
