North Yorkshire’s Black Sheep Brewery has returned its limited-edition Christmas ales Blitzen and Snowflake.

These holiday favourites will be hitting shelves at major retailers this November, with Blitzen available in over 400 Morrisons stores nationwide.

Both Blitzen and Snowflake will be available in all Booths stores, in addition to select Spar convenience stores across the country. An exclusive Blitzen and Snowflake festive 4 pack has been developed for Lidl and will be hitting the special buy aisles in all Lidl stores nationwide in December.

The two seasonal releases meet growing demand for speciality craft beers during the festive period, appealing to consumers seeking a blend of tradition and festive flavour.

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Blitzen (4.0% ABV), a ruby ale, delivers a richly layered profile with notes of burnt orange, dark fruits, and a hint of chocolate, crafted with a careful selection of Cascade and Goldings hops. An addition of orange peel and muscovado sugar deepens the brew’s complexity, yielding a rounded citrus and caramel finish designed to resonate with the season.

Meanwhile, Snowflake (3.7% ABV), a winter pale ale, offers a lighter contrast. Crafted with bold American hops, including Goldings and Cascade, it balances robust citrus fruit flavours with subtle floral, pepper, and spice notes, making it a refreshing yet winter-ready choice.

Both brews have been crafted with a commitment to Black Sheep’s Yorkshire heritage, blending classic techniques with a contemporary twist on festive flavours.

Craig Brackett, Head of Off-Trade of Black Sheep Brewery, said: “These beers bring something special to the table, combining our brewing heritage with a modern, seasonal high-quality appeal. With the success we saw last year, particularly in off-trade, we know there’s an appetite among UK shoppers for authentic, flavourful ales that evoke the spirit of Christmas.”

To meet the anticipated demand, Black Sheep Brewery has expanded its distribution channels, offering Blitzen and Snowflake not only in stores but also online via the Black Sheep Brewery Shop, making it easy for consumers to bring festive cheer home or purchase as holiday gifts.

Both brews, says the Masham-based brewery, are designed to enhance the holiday dining experience, with Blitzen "pairing effortlessly alongside rich desserts like fruitcake, and Snowflake providing a crisp complement to hearty winter dishes," added a spokesperson.