Delhaize unveils its first beer advent calendar

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, and so are the customers for the latest seasonal sensation from Delhaize: an advent calendar of beers, which, you’ll be surprised to learn, is a first for Belgium.

The package is made up of 24 beers, to be consumed daily from 1 to 24 December. Each bottle is 33cl (except for the Palm at 25cl). The whole package costs €49.99, so even if you’re not going to play the one-a-day game, it’s a pretty good deal for 24 beers.

Aside from Palm, old favourites include Duvel, Leffe Blond and Rochefort 8. Less well-known are Cornet, made by Palm. The name comes not from the musical instrument, but from Theodoor Cornet, brewer in the 17th century to the Duke of Maldeghem-Steenhuffel, who went on to found the De Hoorn brewery (a play on his name), which later became Palm.

Most of the Trappists are represented, but in all, the list favours blonds: Karmeliet, Omer, Vedett, La Chouffe and Averbode.

Among the rarities are Wild Jo, made by De Koninck in its city brewery using both wild yeast and two sorts of dry hops – something otherwise not found in conventional brewing. Finally, there are two organic beers: Belgoo amber and Ginette Natural White, a wheat beer.

Photo courtesy Delhaize