(Krampus 2015)

Even though most Christmas movies tend to thinly disguised rom-coms dressed up for the season, there’s a sub-genre, the Christmas Horror movie, that doesn’t suck when paired with the right beer.

And we’ve four holiday horror movie classics for you with an appropriate craft beer pairing…

Krampus

One of the winter holiday’s more demented viewing options, Krampus debuted in 2015. And thanks to its truly sick sense of humor and its deliberate B-movie special effects, it has grown a rabid cult following over the years.

Krampus stars Adam Scott (Big Little Lies) and Toni Colette (The Sixth Sense) as the parents of a family besieged by an ancient Germanic Christmas spirit. And given its cheesy presentation and staying power you can stream it now on both Netflix and Amazon Prime. Suggested Beer Pairing: Krampus Lager – Southern Tier Brewing (Lakewood, NY)

Blazing Griffin / Parkhouse Pictures

Anna and the Apocalypse

Just what the season needs…A Christmas musical meets zombie thriller.

Directed by John McPhail, who oversees a cast of largely unknowns, this 2017 British cult Christmas flick which is now available on Hulu, follows a group of high schoolers who sing and dance their way through an escalating zombie apocalypse at Christmas time.

Zombies are super-hot right now (as is Christmas) so the right beer is absolutely crucial!  Suggested Beer Pairing: Zombie Dust Pale Ale – 3 Floyds Brewing (Munster, IN)

A Christmas Horror Story

Also originally released in 2015, (what’s with 2015 and scary Christmas movies?), this holiday horror flick is actually three different interwoven stories, all taking place on Christmas Eve.

This holiday horror anthology tells three separate tales: A family brings home more than a Christmas tree, a student documentary becomes a living nightmare, a Christmas spirit terrorizes and Santa slays evil.

And William Shatner, at his campiest best, stars as ‘Dangerous Dan’ a radio DJ who ties the sick doings together.

But there’s also zombie elves…And you ABSOLUTELY don’t want to miss that. (Netflix)   Suggested Beer Pairing: Mad Elf Ale – Tröegs Brewing (Hershey, PA

(Courtesy Disney)

The Nightmare Before Christmas

First released by Walt Disney in 1993, Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas is a dark stop-action musical masterpiece that tells the story of Jack Skellington, a “Halloween Town” resident who accidentally stumbles through a portal to “Christmas Town” and decides to kidnap Santa.

With music composed by former, Oingo Boingo Frontman Danny Elman and now available to stream on Disney Plus,  The Nightmare Before Christmas is as ageless as it is brilliant, so the beer that you pair with it is very important.

Suggested Beer Pairing: Nightmare on Brett –Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project (Denver, CO)