Brouwerij Kerkom produces two "Kerst" (Christmas) beers. The Winterkoninkske is the first of their winter seasonals.It pours a dark mahogany brown, topped by a full tan head. The nose is full and rich, with figs, plums, raisins, clove and a little chocolate in the roasted malt.
The flavour is not quite as sweet as the nose, but still very rich. Roasted bread malts, plums, red grapes, raisins and a little caramel. As is the style of the brewery, hops are generously employed resulting in a good level of bitterness and peppery spice breaking through the sweetness. It finishes with a warming, earthy-spice aftertaste.
Beer Fact: Seven different types of malt are used in this beer, including rolled oats, for an extra bit of creaminess. The name of the beer translates to 'Winter King'. The second of Kerkom's Kerstbier's is the Winterkoninkske Grand Cru - a 13% monster!
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 decidedly different and very interesting Kerstbier
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 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.