It's time once again for the Kerstbierfestival (Christmas Beer Festival) in Belgium. Every year in the northern Belgian town of Essen, the "Objective Beer Tasters of the Essen Region" host an extensive tasting of seasonal Christmas and winter beers, giving hops connoisseurs an opportunity to find and purchase their favorites. Notable brews at this year's festival, which will be held December 15-16, include the Sint-Bernardus Christmas Ale from the Sint Bernardus Brewery in Watou, the Tournay de Noël from Cazeau Brewery in Templeuve, and the Delirium Christmas from the famous Huyghe Brewery, the oldest brewery in Ghent.

Since man can not live on beer alone (though many have tried), soup, beef stew, and fresh baked bread - all made with a hint of Christmas beer - will be available to complement the artisanal brews. And even if you don't sample all the beers, it's probably a good idea to take public transportation to and from this event and leave the driving to someone else. Fortunately, the festival hall is just 1850 meters from the Essen railway station, where you can easily hop on a train for the short ride back to Brussels where Starwood has four properties: the Four Points by Sheraton Brussels, the Sheraton Brussels Hotel, Le Méridien Bruxelles, and the Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel. Belgian Beers are some of the finest in the world, and here's a great chance to taste more than 100 special Trappist Christmas ales from all over the country.