I've never had anything from St. Bernardus before.
I know, I know. They're a famous brewery and their Christmas Ale is what a good chunk of Europe seems to view as the definitive Christmas beer. I've always associated winter warmer ale styles with Christmas, but, because it's the jolliest day of the year, let's give St. Bernardus Christmas Ale a go.
Beer, from the bottle.
I've never been one for fluff. As such, and specifically for this blog, I drink my beer as it's presented to me: from the bottle or can. That way you know exactly what you'll get if you run out and buy something I review (assuming, of course, that you drink it straight from its production container). Is it the way a brewer intends his or her product to be consumed? Probably not. But it's as close to straight from the barrel as we beer drinkers can get. It's pure. And I'm a purist.
My cats, Purrl, Háma, and Henrietta (and sometimes Lottie the dog), get in on the fun, too.