Bière De Noël
Brasserie Larché

According to the brewer, the Thomas Becket Brewery based in Bourgogne, this Christmas brew is part of a tradition born in the north of France. The master brewers of the region got into the habit of concocting beers enriched with spices such as coriander, cardamom, and cloves. They shared these special seasonal brews with their best clients and closest neighbors.

This beer pours out in a clear, chestnut/mahogany-colored stream, and settles in the glass with a fluffy, pillowy, tan head. It smells of dark roasted malt, reminiscent of molasses or chocolate, with hints of chestnut and spice. In the mouth, the tiny bubbles announce and incredibly smooth and balanced beer, with a roasted, slightly sweet flavor. Vanilla and tobacco make non-obtrusive guest appearances, and an ideally subtle warm spiciness (notably clove and nutmeg) imbues the whole without ever becoming overpowering.

This is a very well-balanced holiday ale, not overpowering in the spice department. It is very drinkable and certainly worth grabbing if you come across it.