Each year St. Bernardus maintains its place as the canonical Christmas Ale to beat.

With proprietary yeast, an extended conditioning process, and decades of tinkering, St. Bernardus Christmas Ale draws out maximum rich dark fruit and spice flavors from a towering 10% Quadrupel base.

For years St. Bernardus made Westvleteren XII, a rich Quadrupel often referred to as the “best beer in the world”.  St.  Bernardus takes knowledge gleaned from this secret recipe and methodology to create a full-flavored Belgian Christmas Ale that’s established itself as the gather-around event of the season.

St. Bernardus Christmas Ale pours a leather brown with everlasting peaks of cream.  Aromas of Yuletide cheer delight the nose, as raisins, blackberries, and marzipan mix with savory, peppery yeast.  This ale reveals its sophistication on the palate, leading the way with dark fruit, apricot and ginger before resolving into caramel, brown sugar and bourbon flavors.

At last year’s Tavour Holiday party, St. Bernardus Christmas Ale was by far the most popular beer.  Among a selection of rare and special holiday beers it was the one that kicked halfway through the night long before anything else.  Spread holiday cheer by bringing some home to share with a loved ones.  

Rated 93 on BeerAdvocate, 99 on RateBeer