Fanø Bryghus Fanø Julebryg Dark Spiced Christmas Porter Beer 50 cl 7.5%

The wind rolls in from the North Sea, and darkness settles early on Fanø. Here Fanø Bryghus brews a porter as black as a winter night on the island, packed with coffee, cinnamon and vanilla pods. Pour it by candlelight and let the surf play in the background.

Expert description of Fanø Bryghus Fanø Julebryg Dark Spiced Christmas Porter Beer

Fanø Julebryg is a dark, spiced Christmas Porter from Fanø Bryghus, brewed on the island of Fanø in the Wadden Sea National Park. The malt bill is broad: Pale Ale, Munich, Cara, Dark Crystal, chocolate malt and Carafa Special III. Rolled oats add a round, full body.

The spices are there from the start. Coffee, cinnamon and vanilla pods go into the brew, and the hops are used for bittering only. That keeps the IBU at 21, so the porter turns out soft and spiced rather than sharp. It is top-fermented with an ale yeast and comes in at 7.5% ABV.

Fanø Julebryg is the brewery's seasonal beer, and according to the label it is made for a December evening with the surf in the background, or just a candle and a twinkle in the eye. It is a porter for those who want Christmas in the glass without it turning into sweet spice cake.

Tasting notes

Aroma of the beer

Fresh coffee and warm cinnamon meet roasted malt, with vanilla sitting softly and sweetly in the background.

Flavour of the beer

A round, full body with roasted malt and coffee up front. The cinnamon spices things gently, and the vanilla rounds it off with a soft, caramel-like sweetness.

Finish of the beer

The finish is fairly dry, with a firm bitterness from the roasted malt, and the cinnamon lingers on.

Specifications

Name: Fanø Julebryg Dark Spiced Christmas Porter
Brewery: Fanø Bryghus
Country/Region: Denmark, Fanø
Beer style: Christmas Porter
ABV: 7.5%
IBU: 21
Size: 50 CL
Hops: Bittering hops
Malt: Pale Ale, Munich, Cara, Dark Crystal, chocolate malt and Carafa Special III
Fermentation: Top-fermented ale
Ingredients: Water, barley malt, hops, yeast, oats, coffee, cinnamon and vanilla pods
Allergens: Contains gluten from barley malt and oats
Best before date: 30.07.2027
EAN no.: 5704250000159
Serving suggestion: Serve slightly chilled in a beer glass on a dark December evening, ideally by candlelight

Flavour profile

Roasted · Malty · Spiced · Coffee · Vanilla · Full-bodied

Did you know?

Fanø Julebryg was the first beer to go on tap at Fanø Bryghus when the brewery was relaunched in 2009. It has been a Christmas regular ever since.

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Frequently asked questions about Fanø Julebryg Christmas Porter

What kind of beer is Fanø Julebryg?

Fanø Julebryg is a dark, spiced Christmas Porter at 7.5% from Fanø Bryghus. It is brewed with coffee, cinnamon and vanilla pods, with rolled oats in the malt bill. The result is a round, full-bodied porter with a Christmas spice character.

Is Fanø Julebryg worth it?

Yes, if you like a spiced porter. It has a complex malt bill, real vanilla pods and a brewery that has been brewing under its own name on Fanø since 2009. It has more character than most Christmas beers.

What does Fanø Julebryg taste like?

Roasted malt and coffee lead, with cinnamon and vanilla behind them. The body is full and the finish fairly dry with a firm bitterness. It is not sweet like a classic Christmas cake.

How strong is Fanø Julebryg?

Fanø Julebryg is 7.5% ABV, and a 50 cl bottle equals 2.5 standard drinks. The IBU is 21, so the bitterness is moderate for a porter.

What temperature should Fanø Julebryg be served at?

Serve it slightly chilled, around 8 to 12 degrees Celsius. If it is too cold, the coffee and spices close up, so take it out of the fridge about fifteen minutes ahead.

Which glass suits Fanø Julebryg best?

A glass with some room for the aromas gets the most out of a spiced porter. We recommend the Riedel Veritas Beer glasses, where coffee and cinnamon come through nicely.

What food goes well with Fanø Julebryg?

It suits Christmas desserts and dark chocolate. Try it with rice pudding, brown sugar cake or a strong cheese. The coffee and vanilla in the beer play well with sweet dishes.

Is Fanø Julebryg a good Christmas gift?

Yes, especially for fans of dark beer. The label is handsome and moody, and the contents carry a local Danish touch from Fanø. It fits nicely in a gift basket with other Danish Christmas beers.

How long does Fanø Julebryg keep?

The bottle is marked best before 30.07.2027. Store it dark and cool, and the flavour will hold best all the way up to that date.

Does Fanø Julebryg contain gluten?

Yes, it is brewed with barley malt and oats, which both contain gluten. It is therefore not suitable if you need to avoid gluten.

Where does Fanø Bryghus come from?

The brewery is on the island of Fanø in the Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fanø Bryghus has been brewing since 2009 and is part of the Danish craft brewing scene, which you can explore in our selection of Danish beer.