St Feuillien Cuvee de Noël Belgian Christmas Beer 75 cl 9%

The label looks like a knitted Christmas jumper, and that suits it. Inside is a dark, warming Belgian ale with liquorice, spice and caramel, brewed for the months when everyone would rather stay in. The recipe dates from 1969 and has never needed a new look.

Expert description of St-Feuillien Cuvée de Noël Belgian Strong Ale Beer

St-Feuillien Cuvée de Noël is a Belgian Christmas ale in the Belgian Strong Ale style, brewed by Brasserie St-Feuillien in Le Roeulx in Wallonia. The Friart family has brewed in the tradition of the old St-Feuillien Abbey since 1873, and this seasonal beer first appeared on 20 July 1969, created by Benoît Friart II. Seasonal beers were a rarity back then. Today it is a classic.

The beer is top-fermented and refermented in the bottle, which gives the yeast a voice in the aroma. The brew uses roasted and special malts, candy sugar and a blend of spices the brewery keeps to itself. The label lists barley malt and liquorice, and you can taste the liquorice. The bitterness is gentle and holds everything together instead of taking over.

Brewing starts as early as June, so the beer can mature in the bottle and be ready when the season opens in October.

Tasting notes

Aroma

Deep ruby brown in the glass with a tight, firm head. The nose is intense, with herbs and spices first, then caramel, raisin and plum, and a light yeasty spice from the bottle refermentation.

Taste

Round and full. Caramelised malt and candy sugar up front, then biscuit, nuts and liquorice root, with a warm spice throughout that recalls baking spices. The sweetness is kept in check by a calm bitterness.

Finish

A dry finish with a small bitter edge and a touch of roasted barley. The liquorice lingers, and the warmth of the 9 percent creeps in at the end.

Specifications

Name: St-Feuillien Cuvée de Noël Belgian Strong Ale Beer
Brewery: St-Feuillien
Country/Region: Belgium, Wallonia
Beer style: Belgian Strong Ale
ABV: 9%
IBU: 22
Size: 33 CL
Malt: Barley malt, caramelised malt and roasted barley
Fermentation type: Top fermentation with refermentation in the bottle
Ingredients: Barley malt and liquorice
Allergens: Barley and gluten
Best before date: 23.07.2028
EAN no.: 5412138303314
Serving suggestion: Serve at 7 to 8 degrees in a tulip or balloon glass. Works with game in sauce, Belgian carbonnade and chocolate cake

Flavour profile

Malty · Spicy · Caramel · Liquorice · Dried fruit

Did you know?

In 2001, St-Feuillien Cuvée de Noël became the first Belgian Christmas beer exported to Denmark. It has been available there for more than 25 years.

See our full range of St-Feuillien

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently asked questions about St-Feuillien Cuvée de Noël

What kind of beer is St-Feuillien Cuvée de Noël?

It is a Belgian Christmas ale in the Belgian Strong Ale style, at 9 percent ABV. Dark, spiced and full-bodied, with caramel and liquorice leading the way. It is brewed for the Christmas season only.

Is St-Feuillien Cuvée de Noël worth the money?

Yes, if you like dark Belgian ales with spice. You get a recipe from 1969, bottle refermentation and a balance that is hard to find in a Christmas beer at this level. It has been exported to Denmark since 2001 and has a solid reputation among Belgian Christmas beers.

What does St-Feuillien Cuvée de Noël taste like?

Round and warm, with caramel, candy sugar, raisin and liquorice root. The spices recall baking spices, and the bitterness stays gently in the background. The finish is dry with a light roasted edge.

What temperature should this Christmas beer be served at?

Around 7 to 8 degrees in winter. The brewery's own team also mentions 4 to 6 degrees in summer. Let the beer warm slightly in the glass and the spices step forward.

Which glass works best for Belgian Christmas beer?

A tulip or balloon glass, which holds the head and gathers the aroma. A good choice is the Riedel Veritas Beer, which handles strong beers with ease.

What food goes with St-Feuillien Cuvée de Noël?

Game in sauce, Belgian carbonnade and chocolate cake are the brewery's own suggestions. It also stands up to heavy Christmas dishes, because caramel and liquorice work well with gravy and roast meat.

Should this Christmas beer be drunk young, or can it be cellared?

The brewery recommends drinking it fairly young, since it is made to mature in the bottle until Christmas. Follow the date on the bottle and store it cool and dark.

Is St-Feuillien Cuvée de Noël a good gift?

Yes, it is an easy one to give. The label is styled like a knitted Christmas jumper, and what is inside is a well-known Belgian classic. If you want something bigger, it also comes as a 150 cl bottle.

Does St-Feuillien Cuvée de Noël contain liquorice and gluten?

Yes, the label lists barley malt and liquorice. The beer contains barley and therefore gluten, so it is not suitable if you need to avoid gluten.

Where does St-Feuillien Cuvée de Noël come from?

From Brasserie St-Feuillien in Le Roeulx in Hainaut, Wallonia. The brewery is still run by the Friart family, and the Christmas ale has become a fixed part of their yearly tradition.