Dear beer enthusiasts,
As the end of the year approaches, celebrations start all over the globe. It can be of a religious nature -Christmas or Hanukkah- a national holiday -The birthday of the Japanese emperor, for instance- or merely the celebration that a new year is about to begin.
Even if you don't follow any religious tradition, neither is particularly aware that Mr. Akihito was born on December 23rd, you might still be surrounded by this festive mood... In most western countries, for instance, it is pretty much impossible to avoid the festivities.
Along with the celebration, come the special dishes, the cookies, the cakes and, of course, the seasonal brews!!
If you are in Europe, one of the best things to do in this time of the year is to visit the Christmas markets, and the French city of Strasbourg is rather famous for theirs.
It was December of 2010 when I, visiting Strasbourgs Christmas markets, came across this 500ml bottle of 7,0% Seasonal Christmas beer. It is product of a microbrewery called Brasserie du Vignoble, located in the city of Riquewihr, region of Alsace, France. The brewery doesn't really have a website, so this link should lead you to their facebook page,
Hollbeer Prestige - Honeybread beer
Although France is more known for its wine, and the village of Riquewihr is surrounded by many many vineyards, Alsace is also home to many microbreweries, which produce the most amazing beer.
This beer in particular has a taste that couldn't fit better with the season... Lebkuchen - a kind of Alsacian/German honeybread! It has a warming feel - due to the alcohol content - and a sweet background that brings cozy memories of past festive seasons.
While most breweries that try to somehow infuse a specific flavor in their brews usually end up going over the top, Brasserie du Vignoble managed to do it - in my most humble opinion - pretty much right!
They did it so right, that 5 years after drinking their beer, when I was thinking about the most adequated beer for a Christmas special post, Hollbeer Prestige, came immediately to my mind...
This beer in particular has a taste that couldn't fit better with the season... Lebkuchen - a kind of Alsacian/German honeybread! It has a warming feel - due to the alcohol content - and a sweet background that brings cozy memories of past festive seasons.
While most breweries that try to somehow infuse a specific flavor in their brews usually end up going over the top, Brasserie du Vignoble managed to do it - in my most humble opinion - pretty much right!
They did it so right, that 5 years after drinking their beer, when I was thinking about the most adequated beer for a Christmas special post, Hollbeer Prestige, came immediately to my mind...
This year I was again in Alsace, but by bike, and couldn't get any beer. I gotta schedule another visit to Alsace, by car or by train (with an empty carry-on luggage...). After going to a wine fair to get kellerbier, I should step up a notch, and head to a wine country "just" for some seasonal brews
Happy holidays!
And cheers!
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