Nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, citrus peel, honey … The addition of spices and perfumes is a typically Belgian trait, which defines the so-called "Christmas or winter" beers: initially prepared for family use, become a sort of "strenna" for the employees of the breweries. But beer is an even older tradition.

"There were other dances, and then games of penitence, and dances, and a focaccia, and the ponce, and a large piece of roast chill, and another big piece of boiled ice, and the pastries, and beer in profusion" . The most Christmas of the stories, Dickens' Christmas Song puts beer in the foreground on the feast of the festival, to witness an ancient and deeply rooted tradition. The beer, perhaps warm, served to warm up in the rigor of winter, as well as to create a climate of joy: a custom widespread in England as in other countries of Northern Europe.
Even today many scent beers, usually dark and rather alcoholic, with aromas like pieces and fruits to create typically Christmas suggestions. Other times they produce winter beers with other characteristics, which make them suitable for the season: it is always strong drinks and character, suitable for a toast as for an evening with friends, perhaps in front of a fireplace.

Here is our selection of Christmas beers to uncork or to give as gifts:

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The taste is unmistakable, slightly spicy with delicate toasted notes; the body is round matched, the perfume refers to the dried fruit. In combination with aged cheeses, exalts taste and smell, with dark chocolate it recalls the intense and characteristic aromas of hops.

Baladin Open Christmas
Aromas of chocolate and citrus fruits herald the taste, harmonious, supported by the great softness and delicacy of this light brown beer. Indicative price: 11 euros (75 cl)

Ex Fabrica Oro Nero
A Stout produced only in winter. Round, caramelized with hints of coffee, licorice and cocoa, it is surprising for its versatility: with meat in general, including game, but also with oysters and salmon, as well as desserts and creams. Indicative price: € 8.70 (75 cl)

Södra Stout

Dark brown in color, it has beige foam, fine and not very persistent. The aroma is intense and tastes of toasted, dark chocolate, coffee, liquorice and vanilla. Definitely round, balanced and harmonious finish. Price for the 33cl bottle € 9

Bavaria 8.6 Red
It is a high-intensity beer with an intense red color, with an unusual mix of sweet and bitter notes combined with pleasant nuances of malt and caramel. Its unmistakable taste comes from a mixture of different types of malt and from the choice of the best natural ingredients, it is free of artificial flavors and colorings. Indicative price: € 1.59 (50 cl can)

Bdamage 8.6 Gold
Sweet and refined double malt blonde, with a rich aroma of floral and fruity notes. Indicative price: € 1.9 (50 cl can)

Kbirr Jattura
A superstitious beer, in the name and on the label, which represents a lucky horn: a Scotch Ale perfect for a toast. Indicative price: 5 euros (55 cl)

Labi La Rossa
Belgian ale with an intense red color, scents of caramel, toffee and ripe fruit. Indicative price: € 9.50 (bottle of 75 cl)

Amarcord Doppelbock "A"
Produced only at Christmas, in a limited edition, it is a beer that celebrates art and taste. Even the packaging is sought after: the "A", symbol and label, becomes a delicious corkscrew. Indicative price: 29 euros (75 cl bottle)

Ofelia Lucciola Xmas Tripel
High fermentation light beer, inspired by the tripel but with the addition of dried figs and raisins. It is inspired by the traditional Vicenza sweet, called "putana", enriched with dried figs and raisins and is perfect with Christmas sweets but also with great meat dishes. Indicative price: 7.5 euros (75 cl bottle)

Lambrate Brighella Brewery
Belgian Specialty Ale proposed only in December. The orange reflections on the amber color, the scent of orange blossom honey and candied orange peel, the citrus notes of honey and dried fruit taste immediately create the winter atmosphere. Indicative price: 8 euros (66 cl)

Birra del Borgo 25Dodici
Spiced with orange peel, it is perfect with panettone: the scent of citrus and dried fruit is matched by a flavor that contains caramel, honey, cherries and currants. Indicative price: 9 euros (75 cl bottle)

B.A.V. – Venetian Craft Matryoshka Brewery
A Russian Imperial Stout matured in whiskey barrels for 5 months. And the scent of whiskey, together with that of wood, characterizes this black beer, perfect to sip at the end of the meal. Indicative price: 10 euros (33 cl)

Baladin Nöel Cafè
Dark in color, it is full-bodied and aromatic, it smells of dried fruit, biscuit, chocolate and coffee: a special coffee, the "Terre Alte", born from the union of two precious mountain crops, Slow Food Presidia, originating in Guatemala and Honduras. Indicative price: 15 euros (75 cl)

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