Christmas is fast approaching and winter beers are coming into their own. The Verhaeghe Brewery is also releasing a beer called ‘Barbe Noël’ (Christmas beard), which undergoes primary fermentation in cylindrical conical tanks for fourteen days, then secondary fermentation, until 7.2% alcohol is reached. Poured into a glass, it reveals a golden-blond hue with a white head where aromas of spice, coriander, caramel, wood, yeast and fruit prevail. The palate has sweet and bitter flavours of malt, caramel, fruit, yeast and hops. The body is oily in texture and carbonation is low, giving a bitter, spiced finish.