Today’s pick comes from France: Brasserie de St-Sylvestre‘s Bière De Noël, a Christmas Bière de Garde. This is a hearty 8.5% alcohol ale produced in the Flanders region of France. Here’s a description from RateBeer:

St. Sylester’s Flander’s Winter Ale is a rich Hearty winter ale top fermented in the classic tradition…. In Flanders, it is traditional to make a hearty brew for Noel. At St. Sylvestre, hops are harvested in the fields surrounding the village. The "Malterie", 20 kM away, supplies a malt, with and appropriate Munich roast. The local hops plus the robust malt, produce a winter ale with rich warm brown tones.

Their Bière De Noël is available from November until it’s gone.

BeerAdvocate grade: B+. RateBeer score: 3.32/5, 71st percentile.