There is not a lot. I have four breweries rumoured to be happening or to have happened but the two in alleged production are tiny and occasional and the two more serious planned operations are not in production yet.

It used to be that you got to hear about new breweries because they commissioned beers from microbreweries for onward sale to willing wholesalers. This process tended to begin about five years before the brewery eventually reached (or not as the case may be) actual production. Nowadays they launch a website showing you the labels of the beers they would like to make some day.

An anonymous visit to the Grain d'Orge in Hombourg, northern Liège, over Christmas confirmed that 3 Schténg is a most unusual beer - like a porter but with better manners. Brewer Benoit Johnen has also started to produce beers for Brasserie Piron in nearby Aubel. He was previously brewer there but since it returned to its old role as a drinks warehouse, the two beers, Aubel Blonde and Aubel Brune, are now commissioned. Both are 6.5% spiced ales with faint apple tastes in the background.

The Ecaussinnes brewery is intending to expand production and on-site feasting. Let's hope they get the quality control right too.

Several independent Flemish brewers have banded together to aid their exports. Their website can be found on www.flemishbrewers.be.

New season Christmas or winter beers for 2002/03 that are not in the Guide include:

Abbaye des Rocs - Abbaye des Rocs Grand Cru (in addition to the Spéciale Noël)
Achel - Drie Wijzen (8.5%)
Achilles - Serafijn Kerstlicht
Achilles - Grobbendonks Kerstbier
Anker - Gouden Carolus Christmas (9% brown ale)
Binchoise - Cuvée de Trazegnies (in addition to Binchoise Spéciale Noël)
Bocq - Bartlehiemer Winterbier (commissioned)
Bocq - Corsendonk Christmas Ale (8.5%) - for Corsendonk NV of Oud Turnhout.
Boelens - Boelens Kerstbier (8.5% brown ale)
Bosteels - DeuS Brut des Flandres (marketed similarly to Malheur Brut Reserve)
Brootcoorens - Angelus Spéciale Noël
De Koninck - Winterkoninck
Gaverhopke - Kerstbier 't Gaverhopke
Gigi -1900 Spéciale Bonnes Fêtes
Heineken (Affligem) - Florival Winterbier
Huyghe - Delirium Christmas / Noël (10%)
Huyghe - Mère Noël (8%)
Interbrew (Artois) - Stella Artois de Noël
Proef - Czaar Peter
Proef - Slaapmutske Winterbier
Roman - Boxer Christmas
Roman - Ename 974 (7%: ***/* once-a-year ruddy amber ale on the sweet side)
Rulles - Rulles Noël du Coeur
Saint Monon - Bière Spéciale des Fêtes (7.5%: **** tastes like concentrated dandelion and burdock with a splash of Thai whisky)
Saint Monon - Nectar de Noël
Schuur - Kerstbier De Schuur
Val de Sambre - Abbaye d'Aulne Super Noël
Van Den Bossche - Kerstpater (9%) appeared on draught (****/*) for the first time.
Vervifontaine - Bière Brune de Noël

Note: some of these will have been brewed to a commission.

There is a helpful new website in three languages including English for the Brugse Bierkaai brewpub in Bruges. Find it at www.debrugsebierkaai.com.