It's December, which means that beer events are few and far between, save for the odd pre-holiday fest or dinner. (Unless you're reading this on the 1st or 2nd of the month, you've already missed Flaveurs, Bières et Caprices in Montréal, the Holiday Ale Festival in Portland, the Winter Beer Festival in Seattle and the Strong Ale Festival in Carlsbad, California.)

     There is, however, one mid-month festival which deserves special mention: Essen, Belgium's Kerstbierfestival.

     Now in its 13th year, the 2007 edition of the Kerstbierfestival takes place on December 15 and 16, running from 2:00 p.m. until midnight on the first day and noon until 8:00 pm on the second, less crowded day. Admission is free and most tastings (of 150 ml each) cost only a euro and a half. The atmosphere is laid back, the 100+ beers more than enough to take the edge off of any cool and dreary winter day, and this year, it's one of the few places in Belgium where you'll have the opportunity to try the beer that everyone is talking about, Duvel Tripel Hop.

      Get directions, drool over the beer list and find out everything you need to know to plan this or next year's trip at www.kerstbierfestival.be.

Selected Events

• April 2008
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• December 2007
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