Winter is coming, fight it with beer: Wallonia's Christmas beers

Although the cold is noticeable a few weeks beforehand, winter doesn't officially arrive in the Northern Hemisphere until the equinox, between December 21st and 22nd. In Wallonia, the coldest season of the year is felt in the short days and long nights, the icy air, and the snow-covered landscapes, but it can also be tasted. And few things represent this season better than a Christmas or winter beer.

When winter settles in the region, its beers shift gears, becoming more intense and robust. Beyond specific brands, Walloon winter beers share common traits that make them especially recognizable and appreciated during the colder months. They are beers meant to be tasted slowly and leisurely, shared around a festive table or at a Christmas market, allowing oneself to be enveloped by their spiced and comforting profile. But above all, these beers are a true reflection of Walloon popular culture and the region's winter traditions. In this article, we will review their general characteristics and their wide range of gastronomic possibilities, including a list of the most popular winter beers.

The deep-rooted tradition of winter beers

The bières de Noël or bières​​ d’hiver stem from an ancient tradition widespread in Central and Northern Europe. In contrast to the lighter, more refreshing recipes of spring and summer, the last months of the year have been dedicated for centuries to brewing more intense, robust and complex beers than usual, ideal both for properly celebrating the end of the year and for combating the winter chill. In Wallonia, several craft breweries have kept this custom alive, reinterpreting it with creativity and a personal touch, while always respecting tradition and local expertise. Many of these special winter beers are highly anticipated and coveted by beer enthusiasts, who sell out within days of their release. So, if you want to try them, don't hesitate and get your favorites as soon as possible!

More than a style, a state of mind

It’s not easy to define the general characteristics of bières de Noël, as it's not a perfectly defined beer style, but rather one open to each brewer's interpretation. However, as a general rule, these beers are distinguished by their generous body and rich aromas, as well as other more or less common characteristics.

One of its clearest features is the prominence of malt. A powerful malty base is at the heart of many bières d'hiver from Wallonia. Toasted, caramelized or lightly roasted malts contribute colors ranging from deep amber to dark brown, as well as flavors of caramel, bread, nuts or chocolate, and a round, velvety and enveloping mouthfeel.

Spices are another distinctive element of bières de Noël, though they rarely dominate. The aromas of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, coriander, orange peel or local herbs evoke celebrations and winter evenings around a crackling fire, but they must be subtly integrated into the recipe. In this kind of beers, evoking the holidays and winter cuisine is just as important as doing so in a balanced way, leaving a harmonious and not overpowering spicy sensation.

Walloon winter beers typically have a high alcohol content, which enhances the feeling of warmth and fullness with each sip. In their recipes, master brewers don't simply aim to increase the alcohol content, but rather use it as part of the beer's structure to support its aromas, prolong its aftertaste, and reinforce its comforting and warming character. But just as with spices, this high alcohol content shouldn't be overpowering; it should be well-integrated into the whole and not fiery.

Finally, the flavors of ripe fruit, raisins, figs, baked apple or honey frequently appear in the aromatic profile of these beers, either through the use of adjuncts or as a product of alcoholic fermentation.

Taking all these characteristics into account, these beers are best enjoyed slowly, allowing the aromas to develop as the beer warms in the glass. Many of these beers age well, making them an interesting option for cellaring for a few years and conducting a vertical tasting to compare recipes from different vintages.

Some bières d'hiver that you should try

The list of bières de Noël is quite extensive and continues to grow year after year, but below we will give a brief overview of the most iconic winter beers produced in Wallonia, which are perfect for getting to know firsthand what these beers represent in the local culture.

Avec les Bons Vœux – Brasserie Dupont (Tourpes) 

Although saisons are usually associated with springtime, Brasserie Dupont demonstrates its great mastery of this beer style with a winter variant. Their Avec les Bons Vœux (which means “with best wishes”) is a dry, elegant and strong saison with an alcohol content of 9.5%. It has a fragrant aroma with hints of lemon, pepper, banana and clove, and on the palate it is rich and silky, with an interesting malty, fruity and spicy profile. Undoubtedly, an absolute benchmark for Walloon beers at the end of the year.

Chouffe N'Ice – Brasserie d'Achouffe (Houffalize)
The most potent beer from this renowned Walloon brewery is a yearly fixture on the taps and shelves of bars and specialty shops worldwide. It's a dark, intense and spicy winter ale, with prominent notes of thyme and curaçao. Highly aromatic and warming on the palate, yet neither heavy nor overwhelming, it's a perfect choice for enjoying on cold nights and is closely linked to the Ardennes region, in whose forests the gnomes that have made the brand famous hibernate during this time of year.

Cuvée de Noël – Brasserie St-Feuillien (Le Roeulx)
This beer is considered a pioneer, as its history dates back to a time when very few breweries produced Christmas beers. Interestingly, the first batch was brewed on July 20, 1969, the same day man first walked on the moon, and aged until the Christmas season. The fame of this malty winter ale, with its delicate spicy and ripe fruit notes has crossed borders, as it was one of the first Belgian Christmas beers to be exported to other global markets.

Lupulus Hibernatus – Brasserie Lupulus (Gouvy)

It's brewed only once a year, but it has still managed to win over enthusiasts thanks to its modern take on a classic winter beer. The brewery uses a blend of spices that isn't fully disclosed, although some experts say that, in addition to hops from Slovenia, cinnamon is added at the end of the boil to enhance the flavor of the roasted malt. Both its very dark, almost black color and its aromas might remind you of a spiced coffee.

Bush de Noël – Brasserie Dubuisson (Pipaix)

Wallonia's oldest brewery, with a history dating back to 1769 and spanning nine generations of the same family, also produces a unique and highly sought bière de Noël. Created in 1991 as a stronger version of one of the brewery's flagship beers, Bush Ambrée, it boasts an impressive 12% ABV. Its recipe doesn't include spices, but a carefully considered use of hops imparts fruity notes that perfectly complement the caramel and chocolate hints from the malt.

Val-Dieu Noël – Abbaye du Val-Dieu (Aubel)

The brewing tradition of Belgian monasteries is perfectly reflected in this winter beer, not overly alcoholic but elegant, warming and very flavorful. Its recipe omits traditional Christmas spices, giving center stage to the grain, which is used in a high proportion of roasted malts. This is a living, constantly evolving beer that is said to improve considerably after a few months of aging in the cellar, during which it rounds out, loses some of its harshness, and develops notes of cocoa and toast.

Cuvée Meilleurs Vœux - Brasserie Artisanale de Rulles (Rulles)

One of the most highly regarded craft breweries in the Walloon region began brewing its winter seasonal beer in 2005, and has remained faithful to its annual tradition ever since. Its label features Marcel, a Gaume region's character and the brewery's symbol, dressed in a colorful Christmas outfit. The beer's flavor is characterized by prominent yeast and fruit notes, combined with a generous addition of aromatic hops, which impart an herbaceous and slightly bitter finish.

La Binchoise Noël - Brasserie La Binchoise (Binche)

It is considered one of the most emblematic bières de Noël, due to the numerous awards it has received and its long history in the market. Dark amber in color and malty-leaning, it offers aromas of caramel, brown sugar and toast. On the palate, it has a gentle spiciness that balances its alcohol content without being heavy. In 1995 and 2003, it won the platinum medal at the World Beer Championship in Chicago, becoming a true benchmark for bières de Noël ambrée.

A clear gastronomic vocation, pairings with Walloon dishes

Such special, limited-edition beers can be enjoyed on their own, but they are far more delightful when paired with good company, both personally and gastronomically. Walloon cuisine offers a wealth of culinary specialties that perfectly complement bières d’hiver, such as aged cheeses from the Herve region, game dishes featuring wild boar, venison, wild duck or woodcock, traditional stews like carbonnade flamande, or even typical desserts made with chocolate and nuts, such as coulant or the Beaumont macaron.

However, for the complete gastronomic experience, nothing beats pairing these beers with some of Wallonia's traditional Christmas dishes. A bière de Noël will undoubtedly be an excellent pairing for a starter based on Ardennes pâté, a main course such as stuffed turkey with a side of mashed potatoes, and a Christmas sweet such as the couque de Dinant, the crispy, caramelized cookies that are mainly eaten on Saint Nicholas Day.

Walloon winter served in a glass

Drinking a Christmas beer should never be a hurried act to quench your thirst, but rather a ritual. The beer is poured slowly, into a suitable glass that allows you to fully appreciate its character. Then, you observe its deep color and let the aromas unfold. And finally, a good sip will fill your palate with those comforting and homey winter flavors. These beers are an invitation to slow down, to share them with friends or family, and to celebrate winter as it's experienced in Wallonia: with authenticity and warmth.

Every winter, bières de Noël remind us that, despite the intense cold, this season is also a time for pleasure and discovery. In Wallonia, each brewer tells a different story with their recipes, but they all share something in common: the desire to comfort, bring people together and celebrate. Shared around a table or by the fire, each of these bières d'hiver tells a story of Wallonia, its territory, its tradition, its people and its passion for beer.

So, when the cold sets in, raise your glass. This winter will taste of malt, of spices… of Wallonia.