And don’t assume you’ll miss out on all the fun if you’ve got certain dietary issues, such as a gluten intolerance, either – this year, we’ve come across several advent calendars that include gluten-free beers. As you take your first sip, you’ll be greeted with a burst of hoppy goodness, with notes of grapefruit, pine, and a touch of spice. We loved the Greene King Dadvent calendar beer fridge for its brilliant design, great value and fantastic selection of beers from the brilliant Greene King. We've bundled 8 beers and 1 x BrewDog schooner glass into an epic box of varying styles, ABVs, flavours, hops and dreams. There’s something for everyone here (because Christmas is all about sharing, even when it comes to beer), from the deliciously crisp Heresey lager to Absolution, a golden ale first brewed 26 years ago.

You'll find bright citrus of lemon and orange, light pine notes, crisp bitterness and rounded finish. The mouthfeel is smooth and velvety, with just the right amount of carbonation to keep things interesting. We’ve got a pet hate for advent calendar doors that are fiddly to open, so we loved the push tabs on this calendar, which made the doors easy to open. Finally, rather than offloading a lorry-load of presents onto your nearest and dearest on Christmas Day, why not get in there early and gift them a beer advent calendar on 1 December?The Star Wars original Stormtrooper beer advent calendar bags the second spot, simply because it’s a fabulously quirky advent calendar that looks absolutely fantastic, while still offering some seriously delicious beers. The range of producers is pretty impressive too, with inclusions coming from more established breweries, such as Northern Monk and Le Chouffe, but also from smaller microbreweries. This robust, malty beer is packed with flavour and is at a strength you can enjoy all (Christmas) day long. The tipples are incredibly diverse, ranging from pale ales to a delicious milk stout and some gorgeous bitters. Pours a bright golden with solid clarity; fluffy white head that fades leaving nice retention and lacing.

The traditionalists in us loved the Jaipur pale ale, while beers such as the mocha stout are sure to appeal to those keen on a little hops-related experimentation. But this isn’t just any hoppy beer – BrewDog has taken things to the next level by adding cranberries and cinnamon to the mix, giving Hoppy Xmas a festive twist. Inside, there are 24 full-size cans behind every door, and the variety is second to none – you’ll find ales, stouts and pilsners.

You’ll also find lesser-known ones, such as Wingman – a bright, drinkable IPA, perfect for sipping on Christmas Eve (without the risk of getting sloshed before Santa turns up), and Black Heart, which is a gorgeous stout that doubles as a brilliant winter warmer. After all, what could be worse than opening the first door of your beer advent calendar, only to find the can in question has slipped out of sight? The very cool designs adorning all of the bottles and cans makes it another great option for gifting, too.

And despite the bold hoppy flavours and festive spices, the beer remains incredibly drinkable and refreshing. The box’s design is simple but incredibly classy, with a glossy image of a pine cone and ribbon-adorned Christmas wreath. Pineapple, citrus and papaya; single-hopped with Simcoe, Hoppy Christmas is an anti-festive IPA, redolent with summery flavours. A brewery famous for its achingly hip cans and quirky beer names (Neck Oil, Gamma Ray and Bloody ’Ell are our favourite examples), Beavertown has ticked all the boxes with its eye-wateringly bright advent calendar, which contains 24 beers. The IPAs were particularly delicious, and we highly rate the Galactic pale ale, a classic American IPA.

Tangy citrus, papaya and pineapple rest on a solid malty base for a merry and bright IPA that’s going to get you feeling all kinds of festive. Like the Big Man himself, Hoppy Xmas only makes a brief appearance every year, so hops to it while you can. Where flurries of hop flakes deck the halls, filling the air with the crisp, delicious aromas of pineapple, citrus and papaya. There is a moderate bitterness which comes across as overcooked herbs; it is like eating a bay leaf that has been left in the pan for too long.

Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. The cranberries add a tart sweetness that balances out the hop bitterness perfectly, while the cinnamon brings a warm and cosy feel to the beer.This is also another calendar that does especially well when it comes to the festive theme, with a great range of delicious bottled beers, several of which have seasonal names.