With its ultra strict policies banning any sort of promotional activities by alcohol brand owners that could possibly incite consumers to drink more I can’t help but smile when the Systembolaget embarks on its annual Christmas beer clear-out by dumping prices to encourage quick sales.

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It might smack of hypocrisy but it does result in some great deals for beer lovers who like to plan their drinking a year or more ahead. As Christmas beers in general are higher in alcohol than other seasonal brews they often benefit from aging, so there’s no danger of bottles of Christmas ale you buy now going bad before next Christmas. Indeed many of them will only get better and some can keep on improving for many years to come.

So while you’re out shopping to exchange all those spikemattor for something actually useful why not pop into the Systembolaget and pick up a real bargin. Hurry though. This offer’s only good while stocks last!