That’s right! We’re doing an exclusive private tasting on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m at Bruisin’ Ales with the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. What better way to dive head-first into Christmas than with beer and chocolate? The tasting will include five of their holiday truffles, each paired with two Belgian holiday beer samples. This will be a fun, educational tasting to give your taste buds a work-out and see the complements and contrasts of beer and chocolate. Only 30 spots are available.

$15/pp !! TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW !!

Champagne – The dry, earthy flavors of Italian prosecco and Remy Martin Petit Champagne Cognac are subtly present within a light-bodied Madagascar dark chocolate. (w/ shaved white chocolate)

1. Unibroue “16″—Aging in cool storage for two years, this anniversary ale from Unibroue is a Belgian Strong Pale. “16″ is sweet with effervescent carbonation from Belgian yeast. Add to that a smack of caramel, clove and apple, maybe even banana? Bubble gum? [10.0% abv]
2. Gouden Carolus Noël—A dark, beautiful ruby beer, this is the top-selling Belgian holiday ale at Bruisin’ Ales every year so far. Malty, but not overly heavy, this beer is so delicately balanced with its strength by cinnamon, nutmeg, and loads of dark fruit like fig and plum. Festive! [10.5% abv]

Gingerbread – Traditional gingerbread spices and organic molasses with 65% cacao dark chocolate. Covered in milk chocolate and sprinkled with baking spices.

1. Unibroue “16″—Aging in cool storage for two years, this anniversary ale from Unibroue is a Belgian Strong Pale. “16″ is sweet with effervescent carbonation from Belgian yeast. Add to that a smack of caramel, clove and apple, maybe even banana? Bubble gum? [10.0% abv]
2. Baladin Noël—A Belgian-style beer by the brilliant Teo Musso from Italy, this holiday winter warmer has a floral nose and fruity palate with a sweet toffee finish. Delish! [9.0% abv]

Cranberry walnut– Organic cranberries, reduced with fresh squeezed orange juice, paired with Nicaraguan dark chocolate from Black Mountain Chocolates in Swannanoa. Rolled in toasted ground walnuts.

1. Gouden Carolus Noël—A dark, beautiful ruby beer, this is the top-selling Belgian holiday ale at Bruisin’ Ales every year so far. Malty, but not overly heavy, this beer is so delicately balanced with its strength by cinnamon, nutmeg, and loads of dark fruit like fig and plum. Festive! [10.5% abv]
2. Baladin Noël—A Belgian-style beer by the brilliant Teo Musso from Italy, this holiday winter warmer has a floral nose, fruity palate with a sweet toffee finish. Delish! [9.0% abv]

Cabernet & Anise – A reduction of Bacchus Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, CA), gently infused with organic star anise, in a Peruvian dark chocolate ganache. (w/ dark chocolate star)

1. De Struise Tsjeeses—Another Belgian Strong Pale along the lines of “16″, Tsjeeses has an earthy aroma yet sweet citrusy flavor. A tart, dry finish is accented with hints of roasted nuts. Loads of flavor in this one. [10.0% abv]
2. ‘t Smijse Kerst—A little sweet, a little sour, this beautiful Christmas beer is the beefy one of the whole bunch. Dark, rich, and viscous, note the hints of chocolate, caramel, cherry and apple. A little honey and raisin on the finish tastes like the holidays! [11.0% abv]

Eggnog – A sweet white chocolate butter ganache with nutmeg and vanilla bean is warmed in the finish with a touch of Remy Martin cognac. (w/ freshly grated nutmeg)

1. De Struise Tsjeeses—Another Belgian Strong Pale along the lines of “16″, Tsjeeses has an earthy aroma yet sweet citrusy flavor. A tart, dry finish is accented with hints of roasted nuts. Loads of flavor in this one. [10.0% abv]
2. ‘t Smijse Kerst—A little sweet, a little sour, this beautiful Christmas beer is the beefy one of the whole bunch. Dark, rich, and viscous, note the hints of chocolate, caramel, cherry and apple. A little honey and raisin on the finish tastes like the holidays! [11.0% abv]