Editor’s note: The brewery itself calls this beer a Barley Wine. But as it is bottom fermented we have labelled it a Doppelbock.

Barley Wine is a traditional English notation for vinous ales with high gravity and often high alcohol volume as well. This years red/brown Christmas ale from Bryggeriet Vestfyen is true to this tradition, but is bottom fermented though. The beer is a bit creamy, and the bitterness and sweetness is well balanced. This is partly because of the long maturation (9 months), which ensures that the bitterness from the hops (Norhtern brewer and Cascade) is perfectly integrated with the caramel malt. Forget all about wine for the Christmas dinner. Try the Christmas brew from Vestfyen instead.