History of Christmas Ales & Norwegian Jól
History of Jól
The history of Christmas ales dates back to a pre-Christian era where Vikings brewed and consumed strong malty brews to honour their Norse gods. The Norwegian term “jul” meaning Christmas, is derived from the Old Norse word “jól,” which translates to “yule” in English. This annual pagan celebration, originally referred to as jól, took place from mid-November to early January.
Although precise dates surrounding jól are unknown, there is strong evidence to suggest that the height of festivities revolved around the winter solstice. Villagers celebrated by travelling to their local temples with beer and food to take part in massive feast. Special beers were brewed, consumed and sacrificed to honour Odin, Frey and other revered gods, as a gesture of good will they hoped would result in better weather, enhanced fertility, luck in battle and so forth, for the new year.
Håkon’s Law
Jól was established long before the introduction of Christianity in Norway, but was later adapted to celebrate Christmas. King Håkon the Good, who ruled Norway from 934 to 961, blended the pagan ritual with Christmas in an effort to promote Christianity in the region.
While it wasn’t until 1030 CE that Norway officially adopted Christianity, Håkon the Good famously introduced a law that required citizens brew beer for Christmas festivities – refusal to do was a punishable offence that carried a hefty fine. Additionally, if a Norwegian citizen went three years without producing a holiday beer, he or she faced potential exile and was forced to forfeit all possessions.
Brewing special holiday beer had always been a time-honoured pagan tradition, something almost every house took part in prior to the introduction of Christianity. At the heart of the matter, Håkon’s law was less about forcing its citizens to make beer, but to do so as a blessing for Christian gods. During this time, festival dates were also changed to align with Christmas rather than the winter solstice.
Christmas Ale
The parameters set by Norwegian law required citizens to make a strong brew from best grain available on their farms. Making a quaffable, unique and quality brew was associated with high status, so brewers began experimenting with mulling spices, juniper and other herbs, as well as tobacco and sugary syrups to raise their alcoholic strength and intensity.
This rule remained in effect until 1267, when King Magnus Lagabøte amended Norwegian law, omitting the requirement of brewing during the Christmas season.
The rich, dark, full-bodied and spicy winter ales we enjoy today were undoubtedly born from Norwegian holiday brews. Brewing special beer during the holiday season remains a source of pride among Norwegian brewers, many of whom continue to follow the tradition of producing an annual Juleøl, which translates to mean “drink Christmas.”
(Leah is a Toronto based freelance writer as well as the Beer Boss and a server at C’est What)