There are a number of different things that everyone associates with Christmas, and the build-up to the year’s biggest holiday; presents, Christmas trees, Christmas dinners – the list goes on. However, for adults and kids alike there’s something particularly special about 1 December, as it’s the day you finally get to open the first door on your advent calendar. We don’t know whether it’s because this starts the official countdown to the big day, or simply because everyone is desperate to find out what treat lies behind door number one, but you never grow out of that advent calendar excitement.
Given that advent calendars used to be simple creations which tended to depict a Nativity scene and would simply have further images behind each door, they’ve now grown into a whole different beast. Chocolate advent calendars have become the norm, while there are also a number of other types now available including food and drink-filled calendars. For beer heads out there, there’s only one option that springs to mind. Beer advent calendars give you the chance to try a huge array of different cans and bottles throughout the month. They may be rather bulky due to the nature of what’s inside, but they’re also the perfect way to discover a new favourite brew in time for Christmas day.
Some of the UK’s most popular breweries now offer an advent calendar allowing you to try their various different products. However, a number of different beer suppliers and websites also offer mixed beer calendars which allow you to try a wider variety of beers from different breweries. So, whether you’re wanting to buy a craft beer for an early Christmas present, or simply want to have the chance to try some new beers yourself, a beer advent calendar could be just the thing this year. We’ve put together a guide below to this year's best beer advent calendars to help you pick the perfect one.
SKIP TO THE RIGHT SECTION
The best beer advent calendars 2024
Here are the very best beer advent calendars on the market this year. Each one contains a beer for each day, with some of them never repeating. In others, what you'll get is a complete mystery, so expect 24 (or 25) boozy surprises.
Star Wars Original Stormtrooper Beer Advent Calendar
![Red star wars beer advent calendar with beer cans]()
What: At less than 50 quid, this Star Wars-themed beer advent calendar is a steal if you ask us - not to mention the perfect gift for die hard Star Wars fans! The pack includes 12 different Stormtrooper beers, including Galactic Pale Ale, Lightspeed Pilsner, Shadow Stout and Hoppy Christmas. You'll also receive a surprise snack, as well as a Stormtrooper 'Taste the Galaxy' glass to enjoy each brew in.
How much: £49
Buy the Star Wars Original Stormtrooper Beer Advent Calendar
Black Sheep Beer Advent Calendar
![Black Sheep advent calendar with beer bottles]()
What: Wish any beer-loving friend a very hoppy Christmas with this bottle-filled advent calendar. All 24 doors contain a different Black Sheep beer behind them, from award-winning favourites to limited-edition brews. It's sure to put a smile on someone's face!
How much: £65
Buy the Black Sheep Beer Advent Calendar
Seven Bro7hers Craft Beer Advent Calendar
![Black and gold Advent calendar]()
What: This exciting offering from Seven Bro7hers Brewing Co. includes a crafty surprise mix of 24 beers to keep you guessing every day of December. What you can expect is a selection of 440ml and 330ml cans from its extensive range, including best sellers, core beers and festive exclusives.
How much: £69.95
Buy the Seven Bro7hers Advent Calendar
The BrewDog Advent Calendar
![Brewdog advent calendar]()
What: BrewDog has, over the last 10 years, become one of the UK's most recognisable brands of craft beer thanks to its numerous bars across the UK, and its ever-growing range of ales and lagers. Last year, BrewDog's advent calendar was filled with 24 beers, including new ones, exclusives, seasonal beers and headliners - plus an exclusive glass. The brand has yet to release details about its offering for 2024, but we're expecting a similar situation with lots more tasty brews.
How much: £49.95
Buy the BrewDog Advent Calendar
Beer Hawk's Advent Calendar
![Beer Hawk advent calendar with hand pouring a beer]()
What: Coming in at £85, Beer Hawk's 2024 advent calendar is one of the more expensive ones on our list, but it's still great value! There are 24 different beers behind these little doors, all different styles, made from different brewing processes and unique flavours. This is the 10th anniversary of the Beery Christmas Advent Calendar, so it's a special one, and the perfect gift for beer nerds.
How much: £85
Buy Beer Hawk's Advent Calendar
Virgin Wines' Beer Advent Calendar
![Advent calendar with beer cans against green background]()
What: You might not expect a company with wine in its name to offer a beer advent calendar but Virgin Wines does, and it's a great one too. Featuring 24 premium craft beers from, from big brands to less well-known players, there will be something to satisfy all tastes in this calendar. Expect everything from simple lagers to much more complex ales.
How much: £79.99
Buy Virgin Wines' Beer Advent Calendar
Beerwulf's Beer Advent Calendar
![Beerwulf advent calendar with christmas scene on the outside]()
What: Beerwulf's official advent calendar for 2024 includes 24 special beers from a range of unique brewers, including Lowander, Eeuwige Jeugd, Sierra Nevada and more. We like that the team have specifically curated the order of the beers to ensure that no two days are the same in terms of style and flavour. Plus, with the box depicting a snowy festive scene, we can imagine this one looking good under the Christmas tree.
How much: £83.99
Buy Beerwulf's Beer Advent Calendar
Beer Countdown Advent Calendar
![Giant advent calendar showcasing the beer bottles inside]()
What: What better way to countdown to Christmas Day than with this wonderful beer advent calendar? It may be among the most expensive advent calendars on our list, but that doesn't mean that it isn't worth the money. Every single bottle of beer included is world-class, with a few particularly special numbers hiding within, such as a bourbon milk stout from The Raven, light pale ale from Wiper & True, as well as low-alcohol bottles too.
How much: £129.95
Buy the Beer Countdown Advent Calendar
Dry Drinker's Enchanted Alcohol-Free Beer Advent Calendar 0.0-0.5%
![The green dry drinker advent calendar with some of the beer bottles surrounding the box]()
What: Now, we know that some of you enjoy the flavour of beer even if you don’t drink alcohol, so this alcohol-free beer advent calendar from Dry Drinker could be just the thing for you. With a range of the very best different alcohol-free beers inside, you’ll get the chance to check out amazing low-and-no options. Even if you do drink, this calendar is a great option if you want to avoid drinking every night of the week during the Christmas party season.
How much: £77.76
Buy Dry Drinker's Alcohol-Free Beer Advent Calendar
Beavertown's Xmas Advent Calendar
![Beavertown's colourful advent calendar]()
What: Beavertown has become famous for its punchy flavours and whacky can art, so you can expect its advent calendar to be just as outlandish. Although details for its 2024 offering have yet to be released, last year its advent calendar featured fan-favourites Neck Oil, Gamma Ray and Bones Lager, as well as two festive additions (one ginger APA and one session IPA). The calendar also included a Christmas glass, with the option to upgrade to the limited edition version, which included an exclusive IPA, a pair of Christmas socks and a pin badge for good measure. Watch this space...
How much: £58 (£68 for limited edition version)
Buy Beavertown's Advent Calendar
The Snaffling Pig Co.'s Pork Crackling and Beer Advent Calendar
![The advent calendar surrounded by beer cans and bags of pork crackling]()
What: Chocolate advent calendars are great for those with a sweet tooth, but what about Christmas fans who have more savoury tastes? The Snaffling Pig Co. is here to save the day with its crackling and beer advent calendar. Each calendar contains 12 330ml cans of Snaffling Pig beer (varieties include Twisted Tail Pale Ale, Mighty Swine Lager Pilsner and Wild Hog Helles), as well as 12 pork crackling bags - think flavours like Low & Slow BBQ, Marvellous Maple and Perfectly Salted.
How much: £67.95
Buy the Snaffling Pig Co.'s Crackling and Beer Advent Calendar
Mixpixie 12 Beers of Christmas Advent Box
![Beer advent calendar with bottles inside]()
What: You can personalise this beer advent calendar with the recipient's name on three sides of the box, if you like, to make it an extra special gift for someone. Inside, discover 12 different beers from breweries and micro-breweries across the UK, including Hobgoblin, Thirsty Ferret, Firecatcher and Spitire. For a final touch, each box comes with a Spotify code that links to a curated playlist of Christmas hits. Music and beer lovers, this one's for you.
How much: £55
Buy the Mixpixie 12 Beers of Christmas Advent Box
Fill-your-own beer advent calendars
If you fancy getting creative this Christmas, why not design your own beer advent calendar? Below, you’ll find beautifully designed structures which can hold any beers of your choice. The best part is you’ll be able to use them year after year, so they’re worth the investment!
Christmas Advent Beer Crate
![A wooden beer crate]()
What: If you're fussy when it comes to your drink and you don't want somebody else choosing the contents of your beer advent calendar, something like this will be perfect. Wooden, handmade, and with space for 24 beers, simply fill with a selection of your favourite brews this Christmas. Being made of wood, it's reusable too, and the crate doesn't come with dividers so you can include a range of bottle or can sizes.
How much: £51.99
Buy the Christmas Advent Beer Crate
Personalised Advent Beer Cap Collector
![A wooden beer cap collector]()
What: What to get the beer lover who has everything for Christmas? Well, a quirky gift like this one of course! This novelty calendar allows you to collect your used beer bottle caps for the festive season, as well as featuring a Santa image engraved into the wood, which you can add to with your own personalised wording - think something like ‘the 25 beers of Christmas’. The best part is that once you’ve filled all the slots, you can hang your calendar up on the wall as some eye-catching beer artwork.
How much: £29.95
Buy the Advent Calendar Beer Cap Collector
Personalised Snowman Beer Advent Calendar
![A wooden snowman shaped bottle holder]()
What: This cute and creative fill-your-own advent calendar is designed to resemble a snowman and can be filled with your choice of beer bottles, festive or otherwise. You can also opt to personalise the calendar by adding your name or the name of the gift recipient to the snowman’s hat - it doesn’t get much cuter than that.
How much: £111.53
Buy the Personalised Snowman Beer Advent Calendar
This article uses affiliate links.
Fancy an alcohol advent calendar but not a fan of beer? Check out our guide to the best gin advent calendars.