Every winter, Brasserie St-Feuillien keeps a special tradition alive: Cuvée de Noël, a unique Belgian beer that enchants beer lovers with its rich palette of complex flavours. First brewed in 1969, this abbey beer is the result of knowledge that was passed down for generations and reflects a desire to innovate at a time when only a small number of breweries produced Christmas beers. It’s a tradition that lives on every year, offering beer lovers an authentic taste experience.
St-Feuillien Cuvée de Noël: the Belgian beer adds a touch of sparkle to winter
Tradition and innovation
The first Cuvée de Noël brew was produced on 20 July 1969, the day man first walked on the Moon. The recipe was created by Benoît Friart II, the father of the brewery’s current owners. From day one, the beer has been in a class of its own, thanks to its unique profile, enriched over the years by a mix of special malts, and a closely guarded secret blend of spices. And this winter classic still continues to surprise, adding a warm, spicy touch to festive events.
Characterful ingredients for a unique experience
Cuvée de Noël boasts a meticulous selection of roasted malts that imbue it with a deep colour and intense flavours, making it the perfect festive beer. Candi sugar enhances its caramel notes and a blend of carefully chosen spices adds a festive touch. Each ingredient helps to make this beer a unique sensory experience from the very first sip.
A demanding artisan process
Cuvée de Noël is more difficult to produce than other St-Feuillien beers because it involves a rigorous process of balancing sugars, special malts and spices. It has to be produced as early as June, which is quite a challenge during the brewery’s busiest season. This allows the beer to mature in the bottle and reach its aromatic peak just in time for the festive season. Cuvée de Noël is exported all around the world, so it also has to be ready for shipment by September.
An amusing fact: producing this winter beer in the middle of summer, when it’s 30°C outside and 35°C in the brewing house, is quite at odds with its seasonal character!
International acclaim and unwavering popularity
In 2001, Cuvée de Noël became the first Belgian Christmas beer to be exported to Denmark, where it enjoyed huge success. Today, it continues to delight beer lovers across the globe. Year after year, it attracts new consumers who fall in love with this iconic brew.
An eagerly awaited product, available in autumn
Cuvée de Noël is launched in October, signalling the arrival of the first frosts and the start of preparations for the festive period. It adds a celebratory atmosphere to Christmas markets and other festive events, especially when served warm to bring out its spicy aromas. This convivial beer-drinking tradition makes it a must at Christmas markets.
How to enjoy Cuvée de Noël at its best
Whether enjoyed at 8°C or slightly warmed, this Belgian Christmas beer is the perfect accompaniment to hearty winter dishes, and can also be used in cooking, for example to deglaze meat. Dominique Friart recommends drinking it young and slightly chilled (8°C) and from a 75 cl bottle to enjoy the full experience. When drinking the beer on draught, she particularly likes it served in a traditional beer glass with a good head on it.
Master brewer Leylan Roland, however, likes to drink it differently depending on the season: cool in summer (4–6°C) and slightly warmer in winter (7–8°C). Cuvée de Noël is also perfect for culinary use – its spicy quality enhances dishes such as game cooked in sauce or a carbonnade Belgian stew and pairs beautifully with chocolate cake.
A festive invitation from St-Feuillien
With every sip of Cuvée de Noël, you savour a taste of Brasserie St-Feuillien’s history and expertise. This strong beer is much more than just an invigorating winter drink – it encapsulates an atmosphere, a tradition of sharing and conviviality. With its spicy character and subtle aroma, over the years it has become a symbol of warmth and tradition. Whether you’re celebrating with friends, searching for a unique gift or looking for a special ingredient for a seasonal dish, Cuvée de Noël is a must for the festive period.
So, discover or rediscover this genuine classic now and enjoy a touch of winter sparkle!
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