Winter and Christmas beers ... what are they?

This time of year is the time of winter and Christmas beers. It's a tradition that goes way back. But what are they exactly and why are they so special?

Winter and Christmas beers are brewed in the winter and finds it's roots when cooling installations didn't exist yet. Fermentation is much harder at higher temperatures (during summer months). As the inventories of hops and barley had to make place for the new crops of the new year, brewers used these last supplies to make unique beers.

As these beers are rich in these ingredients, they are typically stronger, with more taste and aroma than their "normal" versions. Back then, these brews were often used as a Christmas gift that the breweries gave to their employees and special customers.

Christmas beer is usually a maltbeer of high fermentation, and is amber colored. To give those beers extra taste, brewers often add spices like honey, cinnamon, cloves and/or licorice.

As they are usually higher in alcohol-percentage, they are ideal for those cold winter months.

Here in Bier Central we have the following Christmas beers:

- Leffe Christmas - 6,6% - InBev
- Gordon Xmas - 8,8% - Anthony Martin
- N'Ice Chouffe - 10,0% - Duvel Moortgat/Brasserie D'Achouffe
- WinterKoninck - 6,5% - Brouwerij De Koninck
- Val-Dieu Noel - 7,0% - Brasserie Abbaye Du Val-Dieu
- Stille Nacht - 12% - De Dolle Brouwers
- Gouden Carolus Chrismas - 10,5% - Het Anker
- Barbar Winter Bok - 8,0% - Brasserie Lefebvre
- Avec les Bons Voeux - 9,5% - Brasserie Dupont

So, whenever you pass by, be sure to ask for one of the above, as they are seasonal beers, they might not be in stock later on!

Enjoy!

Greetingz,
Koen.