Brewpub exclusive ‘Christmas Truce’ blends English, German, Belgian ingredients 

Advances in weaponry and the tactical stalemate of trench warfare made World War I one of the most deadly conflicts in history. They also set the stage for one of the greatest acts of humanity.

In the winter of 1914, the advancing Germans met the English on the Western Front in Belgium, dug in and started trading bullets and shells. Young men lived for months in the mud, and “going over the top” to attack the other side meant almost certain death. … until Christmastime.

Although the details are sketchy, what’s known is this: In certain areas of the front, English and German soldiers momentarily put aside their differences on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They wandered into the No Man’s Land between them, sang carols, exchanged souvenirs and even played soccer.

One hundred years later, we’re celebrating that spirit of fraternity with a beer called Christmas Truce, a Belgian Pale Ale that brings together the great brewing traditions of England, Germany and Belgium. 

Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione shares the first taste of Christmas Truce with guests at the Dogfish Inn in Lewes, Del.

We started with English pale ale and crystal malts and German pilsner and CaraRye. The beer is hopped generously with English fuggles and German spalt select. A dash of Belgian dark candy syrup was added for a dry finish and a deep orange hue, and we fermented with a blend of Belgian yeast strains. 

And thanks to the generosity of our friends at Boston Beer, we were able to include a very special hop addition. Jim Koch sent Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione some German Tettnanger hops from crowns that have been producing vines since the era of the Christmas Truce.

“Sam mentioned that he was going to brew a beer inspired by the Christmas Truce of World War I," says Koch. "It was an incredible tribute, and it stuck with me. A few months later, I was on my annual pilgrimage to Bavaria for hops selection. We have some farmers we buy from with vines that are over 100 years old. I realized these were vines that were producing hops at the same time that the Truce took place. It felt fitting to bring some back for Sam’s beer.”

Christmas Truce, at 5.71 ABV and 36 IBUs, is a draft-only beer served exclusively at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth Beach, Del. It goes on tap Dec. 12.

Vitals
Style: Belgian pale ale 
ABV: 5.71%
Packaging: Draft only
Release date: Dec. 12, 2014
Distribution: Available for a limited time only at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth Beach, Del.