Holiday Beer Review – Three French Hens from The Bruery


At some point around Seven Swans A Swimming, I stopped buying The Bruery Christmas beers based on the infamous math song. Maybe, I came to the realization that I was never going to do a home tasting of all twelve or I was going to find a dinner that had all twelve in smaller amounts. Either way, I only had four bottles left. #3 through #6.

So, in an effort to clear the cellar to a manageable spreadsheet size, I brought all four up to review, starting with Three French Hens…
Warming but not boozy. Lots of Barrel character. A little tannic wine note as well. A touch of spice notes, wish there was more though. How would this be rated amongst all 12? Needed air to dull some sharp edges from initial aroma. Really good dark strong but I could get this in the TJs Vintage Ale for cheaper. Of 3-6, this has not set a super high bar.

3 French (via Belgium) Hens

If you have any spare bottles of A Partridge in a Pear Tree or Two Turtle Doves, then you can have a nice Holiday ale tasting by getting the third in the series from the Bruery.

“The third verse of our ‘Twelve Beers of Christmas’ saga incorporates vinous and oaky notes into a bold and spicy dark ale. 10% ABV.” This years Holiday ale is 75% Belgian-style Dark Ale and 25% ale aged in French Oak barrels.