Brouwerij De Ranke - Pere Noel

Forget the overly sweet, heavily spiced Christmas beers – De Ranke's Père Noël is a wonderfully distinctive festive creation that celebrates the traditional Belgian art of brewing with hops, malt and expressive yeast. Named after Father Christmas himself, this characterful 7% Belgian Christmas Ale takes a refreshingly different approach to the seasonal style, combining rich malt flavours with the brewery's signature assertive hop bitterness. Expect inviting impressions of toasted bread, caramel and delicate dried fruit, complemented by aromatic herbal hops and the fruity, gently spicy character of Belgian fermentation. It's a beautifully balanced winter warmer that proves a Christmas beer doesn't need a mountain of sugar or festive spices to deliver something truly special.

Pouring a rich amber colour beneath a generous, creamy head, Père Noël offers a wonderfully complex drinking experience, with layers of biscuity malt, subtle caramel and fruity yeast character developing alongside its distinctive hop profile. On the palate, expect impressions of orange peel, dried apricot and gentle peppery spice, followed by a pronounced herbal bitterness that cuts through the malt sweetness and creates a remarkably refreshing finish. Unlike many traditional Belgian Christmas ales, Père Noël finishes relatively dry, making its substantial 7% ABV surprisingly approachable. The interplay between malt richness, expressive yeast and confident hopping makes this an outstanding choice for enthusiasts of traditional Belgian brewing, whether enjoyed alongside a festive feast or savoured slowly on a cold winter evening. A Christmas classic with a deliciously bitter twist!