You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I’m telling you why
Sint Niklaas is coming to town.
It’s never too early to get on Sint Niklass‘ nice list of Vanberg & DeWulf holiday beers. You will not find a more lauded, highly-rated, quintessentially Belgian collection of Christmas beers than the five we offer. We are giving mere mortals advance warning this year, as they disappear almost as fast as they reach these shores.
If you are a beer-loving individual, let your local bar or store know that you want some and send them a link, preferably within the next 2-3 weeks.
If you are a retailer, get in touch with your distributor rep, absolutely within the next 2-3 weeks. We, at Vanberg & DeWulf, finalize our orders with the breweries by mid-June, and we wouldn’t want any of you to be disappointed.
Here’s what’s in store FOR THE 2011 HOLIDAY SEASON:
Avec Les Bons Voeux from Saison Dupont
“With Best wishes from the brewery Dupont” this farmstead Christmas beer sets the standard for holiday beers from Belgium.
Bons Voeux is rich, tawny, fragrant – with hints of pepper, banana and clove. Bons Voeux’s full, deep malt richness is astounding. Considered by many connoisseurs to be the finest offering from this unparalleled brewery.
“This unusual Christmas ale is a fruity, slightly oily, and leathery, with some citric sharpness and no small amount of kinetic spice sensations jumping on the tongue.” - Ben McFarland, The World’s Best Beers
(****/*, a classic of its kind) “[Bons Voeux] is the slowly matured copper-blond bombshell in which extended dry hopping lends character and presence.” – Tim Webb, Good Beer Guide to Belgium
About the brewery: “Sometimes you are going to be taken to places you never thought existed (the highest possible rating)” – Tim Webb, Good Beer Guide to Belgium
“The biggest and richest of the [saison]… This is a big and strong saison. It is seasonal, I guess sort of a Christmas ale of the saison world. Bons Voeux is, I feel, the richest of the bunch. Because of it’s intensity, I would recommend the novice graduate to this beer. However, if a saison that is starting to lean towards being a triple appeals to you, and if its in season, don’t hesitate.” – Belgian Babble Belt
“If it weren’t for VanBerg & DeWulf’s efforts to bring us the wares from the Brasserie DuPont, the only exposure we would have (here in the states) to saison would be pictures in a book. What so many fail to realize is that the DuPont – though an excellent import choice – represents only one head of the hydra.” - Belgian Babble Belt
Editor’s Note: Though we’re no longer the only gang in town, we appreciate the recognition from these Belgian aficionados that we got there first.
“The best Belgian beer, if ever there could be such an award…a sumptuous, seductive 9.5% beer” – CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale)
Formats: 20 liter kegs and 75cl cork-finished bottles
Scaldis Noel
Here’s a dear little beer to bring holiday cheer.
Scaldis Noel (at 12.5% a wee bit stronger than mighty Scaldis) has a burnished ruby-copper hue that sets you up well for a spicy aroma with notes of caramel and marzipan. The taste is round, with hints of licorice and a long, warming finish.
“The classic Belgian Winter Ale” says Liquid Solutions
Formats: 20 liter kegs and 24 x 25 cl (8.54 oz) bottles
Scaldis Noel Premium
Scaldis Noel Premium the extra added element of being bottle-conditioned—a rare treat for Scaldis lovers and anyone who loves to cellar beers.
(****/*, a classic of its kind) Rare but impressive. – Tim Webb, Good Beer Guide to Belgium
Formats: 20 liter kegs and 75 cl cork-finished bottles (refermented), 6 to a case
Scaldis Prestige de Nuits 2011 Vintage
An incredibly complex, balanced and satisfying beer – triple-fermented including once in ferment Burgundy Cotes de Nuits barrels for at least six months. Every vintage differs according to its maturation in barrel. Deep caramel malt notes are complemented and balanced by the startlingly vinous quality imparted by the wine barrel aging. All wonderfully heightened and accentuated by the 13% ABV.
We have never tasted a better marriage of wood and beer and call Prestige de Nuits the finest cask-conditioned beer from Belgium in a decade.
Formats: 75 cl cork-finished bottles, 6 to a case
Scaldis Prestige 2011 Vintage
Dubuisson’s original barrel-fermented ale is matured in new French oak. Master brewer, Hugues Dubuisson has come up with a champion strong ale of remarkable sophistication and elegance.
Extremely limited availability!
(*****, among the best in the world) “Stored in oak foudres for four to six months before reseeding and bottling, the ambrée becomes Prestige, a stately and notoriously expensive beer with a taste that reflects additional aging.- Tim Webb, Good Beer Guide to Belgium
“100/100” the slight bite, mild vanilla, and distinct wood notes work perfectly with the earthy Belgian yeast and mildly tropical flavors. It really is a Wow! beer” – RateBeer.com
AROMA 10/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 20/20
“Beautiful peach color along with a craggy, blooming head. Nose, and taste of peaches, persimmons, pepper, coriander, vanilla, oak, and subtle bourbon. Most of all, the flavor reminds me of Krug Clos du Mesnil 1983, which was one of the finest vintage champagnes ever. This, despite the fact that this beautiful ale was not afforded the Methode Champenoise that Deus, or Malheur Brut underwent.The body is silky, and relatively sprightly for its weight, and the alcohol is elegantly restrained, and serves as a catalyst to heighten the flavor nuances. This is a true masterpiece of the brewer’s art, and is well worth every penny of the $50+ dollars a bottle that it retails for.” – Cask ale fan (52)- Bellingham, Washington, USA
Formats: 75 cl cork-finished bottles, 6 to a case
Half an hour away from Disney World’s magical gates is an even more magical place: Redlight Redlight, a “beer parlour” with a name inspired by the Amsterdam district. Located between Baldwin Park and Audubon Park neighborhoods and near the Executive airport, this Orlando bar features 23 draft lines, 2 beer engines and over a hundred bottles at any one time. They specialize in Vintage beers and, in 2010, held their second annual Scaldis Noel Draft Vertical where they simultaneously tapped 5 vintages and served flights of 5 vintage 3 ounce. In addition, they have served Scaldis Prestige and vintage Bons Voeux on tap.
