The ales and porters to see you through to Boxing Day.

When it comes to Christmastime eating, there are rules. Turkey for the diehards, goose for the traditionalists, roast rib of beef for the generous, Chinese five-spiced duck with sesame cabbage for the adventurous. And sprouts for everyone. Same goes for the drinks – buck’s fizz with breakfast, bubbles when the relatives rock up, a big old red with the meal, and if anyone’s still awake later, something from one of those bottles at the back of the cabinet over a board game. But we say: bah humbug to all that. We’re sticking to beer this year – and it’s not just to reduce our hangovers. The diversity and versatility on offer means you can find something delicious to drink at any stage of the day. Here’s our play by play guide to a hoppy Christmas.

Instead of predictable old prosecco for the toasts, get a 750ml bottle of this beauty from Wild Beer Co on ice. It’s a lip-smacking Belgian saison-style brew clocking in at a merry nine per cent, with fragrant Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand, local Somerset apple juice and wild yeast giving it a complex character that’ll keep everyone occupied till lunch. Ninkasi is finished with champagne yeast to give it a secondary fermentation, meaning its dancing effervescence suits serving it in flutes.

This seasonal beer from Central Scotland’s Williams Bros is a tawny-coloured ale with a seven per cent strength that rewards slow sipping. The vibrant US hops and hearty malts provide marzipan, candied fruit and spice notes to set the festive mood, and the hidden bonus is an infusion of spruce sprigs, giving it a piney, resinous, uniquely foresty aroma that will make your living room smell like a snowy Norwegian woodland (even if your tree’s from Argos).

Over in Belgium, they know that beer’s best all year round, and one of the country’s most famous brews is the funky and spicy Delirium Tremens tripel. Come winter, the elephant seen on its label puts on a Santa hat for this special-edition version, which is fruitier, spicier, sweeter and stronger than the original and has more than enough deep, full-bodied character to stand in for a dessert wine or port. Leave a glassful out for Santa with his mince pies and he’ll definitely be back next year.

Darker than Christmas coal and richer than Scrooge, this collaboration between Manchester’s Cloudwater and Denmark’s To Øl is a full-on glorification of all the tastes of the holiday season in a beer. It’s an imperial stout, meaning it comes bearing a heady 11.8 per cent ABV and plenty of toasty, bitter, chocolatey flavours, plus it’s been infused with warming festive spices and dried fruits to give it an authentically pudding-like character. Winter cheer by the barrel-load from one of the UK’s most exciting breweries.

Made in Yorkshire with perfumed mandarin, zesty grapefruit, mango and guava along with tons of bold hops, this relaxed pale ale is far more satisfying than a buck’s fizz and brings a tropical burst of flavour to what is often a lazy, low-key day. It has enough flavour to pep up the tired turkey leftovers, and its easy-going 4.5 per cent alcohol means a couple of cans won’t leave you floored before The Great Christmas Bake Off begins.