It’s the middle of winter, and Christmas in July is becoming more of a ‘thing’, so it seemed appropriate to include a Belgian Christmas beer in this months pack.
Brouwerij Kerkom’s Winterbinkske used to be known as Winterkoninkske (Winter King), but back in September 2022 the brewery was taken over by Brouwerij De Ranke. They moved production of all the Kerkom beers to the De Ranke facility and the winter seasonal beer had a slight rebrand and recipe change with the addition of juniper to this version.
It was a friendly takeover, as the brewing facilities at Kerkom were no longer up to the required standard. Since 2009 Kerkom had been brewing their beers at several different breweries, and the friendship between the two breweries led to the unison. The intention is to upgrade facilities and continue brewing at the Kerkom site, at least for the beer that is consumed on the site that is a favourite for riding groups through the Limburg countryside.
Our dark winter beer has a rich aroma of dark malt and a hint of spice. That dark malt s front and centre of the flavour as well. Dark chocolate, roasted malt, black bread, a hint of molasses. There isn’t a lot of sweetness given the dark, high ABV body. Rather there is a pleasant roasted malt astringency, coupled with a firm bitterness and a little spicy sharpness to the dry finish.
A rich and boozy Christmas beer to 'add lustre' to your festive celebrations
The 2016 annual vintage Christmas beer from Brasserie Dubuisson
by Brouwerij Corsendonk (at Brasserie Du Bocq)
To help celebrate Christmas in July we have this festive treat from Corsendonk
by Brouwerij Corsendonk (at Brasserie Du Bocq)
The Christmas ale from this well-regarded abbey label
A wonderful winter seasonal offering from the Delirium label - one we look forward to each year
by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
The winter seasonal offering from the Chouffe Brewery - a dark beer brewed with thyme and bitter orange
A lovely spiced fruit cup of Christmas pudding in a 10% strong dark ale
The Struise Tsjeeses is their blond-amber Christmas seasonal beer, with this 2014 vintage being aged in Bourbon barrels
Tongerlo's Christmas beer is a little different to most of the Belgian Kerstbiers
Struise's winter seasonal offering - a 10% strong blond spiced ale
A dark seasonal offering, capturing all the rich flavours of the festive season.
A Christmas beer that is lighter, drier and hoppier than a standard winter seasonal
The spring seasonal beer from Kerkom, a lot like a sweet saison/tripel mash-up featuring honey and pear
From a rustic farmhouse brewery, a hoppier version of the classic belgian blond ale.
The little bruin from this quintessential farmhouse brewery punches above it's weight in flavour and drinkability.
A dark seasonal offering, capturing all the rich flavours of the festive season.
