5 craft beers for Christmas

At this point, your Christmas plans are probably all set. But whether you're the host or the hosted this holiday, picking up a great party drink should definitely be part of the plan.

Serve a seasonal Christmas beer. One that's bursting with nutmeg, chocolate and dark fruit. Something festive and special, the kind thing that would be right at home at Mr. Fezziwig's party.

We went to DeCicco's in Armonk for ours, where you climb the stairs to find an impressive craft beer specialty store, right in the middle of the supermarket. There is a bar with 28 rotating draft lines, growler fill up stations and more than 1,000 bottled varieties. With the help of Joe DeCicco, we selected five seasonal Christmas craft beers that will make your holiday celebration a little extra jolly.

Frost Monster, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company

Layers and layers of dark, roasted malts that pours black and goes down smooth. Columbus hops and chocolate malts come together to make a deep and dreamy fireside sipper. Style: Imperial Stout, 12% ABV. Price: $14.99 Food pairing: Cheese cake, dark chocolate or a cheese plate. If you like this, try: Big Bad Baptist by Epic Brewing Company or Evil Twin Yin by Evil Twin Brewing Company.

Ommegang Adoration Ale, Brewery Ommegang

Malty and emphatically spiced with coriander and cardamom coming through, along with orange peel and dark malts. The Belgian-style winter beer pours a rich chestnut color with a creamy head. Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, 10% ABV. Price: $10.99 Food pairing: Roasted lamb or game, and sticky toffee pudding for dessert. If you like this, try: Corsendonk Christmas Ale by Brouwerij Corsendonk.

Mad Elf Ale, Troegs Brothers Brewing Company

A ruby red ale brewed with honey and sour cherries that smells (and looks) much fruitier than it tastes. The finish is long and warming, as is to be expected with such a high alcohol beer. It will likely be hard to find Mad Elf in stock anywhere after New Years, so enjoy it while you can. Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, 11% ABV. Price: $17.99 Food pairing: Pork with fruit or sharp, pungent cheeses. If you like this, try: Delirium Noël by Brouwerij Huyghe.

Christmas Ale, Brouwerij St. Bernardus

An outstanding beer that will impress both beer geeks and novices will love. Lots of spice, with molasses and dark fruit flavors, balanced with heavy handed carbonation. Sweet with low bitterness. It's easy to drink, so you'll have to remind yourself to slow down and savor. Style: Quadrupel, 10% ABV Price: $25.99 Food pairing: Roasted turkey or chicken and smoked salmon. If you like this, try: St. Bernardus Abt 12 by Brouwerij St. Bernardus or Allagash Four by Allagash Brewing Co.

Frosted Frog Christmas Ale, Hoppin' Frog Brewery

A spiced up with holiday beer with cinnamon, ginger and apple that's so sweet, and not bitter, it resembles a punch. Pours a dark red with a white lacey head that's perfectly appropriate for Christmas. Enjoy in a tulip-shaped glass or snifter to hold the carbonation and enhance the cheery aroma. Style: Winter Warmer. Price: $10.99 Food pairing: Traditional holiday desserts like gingerbread cookies, fig panettone or an apple-cranberry galette. If you like this, try: Hitachino Nest Celebration Ale by Kiuchi Brewery or Full Sail Wassail by Full Sail Brewery.