We're counting down to Christmas with 12 beers that resonate with the feel of the holiday. Some beers were nice; some beers were naughty. This is The 12 Beers of Christmas. Enjoy!

Brouwerij De Ranke in Wevelgem, Belgium

Well, folks, we’re in the second half of the beers of Christmas. Most of them have been sweet, darker winter beers; the Brewery De Ranke, however, has provided us with a little change of pace: the Père Noël, a hoppy Christmas ale. This brew is a treat for anyone who wishes Christmas beers were a pinch more bitter. While not as sweet as many of the other ales we’ve tried for Christmas, the Père Noël doesn’t sacrifice the warmth of alcohol with its 7% ABV.

Before even pouring the beer, we could clearly tell it was unfiltered. Even in the bottle, the liquid was quite hazy, and I would suggest pouring it out of the bottle and leaving a layer on the bottom if your bottle is aged. The Strong Belgian Ale poured a cloudy amber and emitted a fruity (perhaps apricot) nose with notes of alcohol. The Père Noël was one of the most complex beers I’ve tasted. Alan described it as “absolutely lovely.” It begins with a touch sweet that turns into a bitter grapefruit citrus, has a slight booze finish, and leaves you with a bitter aftertaste on the tongue.

As far as Christmas beers go, this one is a winner! It is not your typical sweet boozy Christmas beer like a barleywine; however, it is completely delightful. It would be great as an apertif before dinner, or just sitting around with a few people getting the night started. Regardless, the Père Noël is a great way to celebrate Christmas and my hat is off to the Brewery De Ranke and all the others in Belgium who are brewing such great Christmas ales.