Abbaye des Rocs Speciale Noel

Brewed by Brasserie de l’Abbaye des Rocs
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Montignies-sur-Roc, Belgium

Sampled two bottles side by side. One labeled best before 2007, the other 2010. The older one was insanely much better, both ratings below

BB 2010 (33 cl bottle, thanks rickgordon!)
Muddy shady dark brown color, tan head. Spicy Belgian ale yeast scent. Spicy, Belgian ale yeast taste as well. Spicy aftertaste. Spritzy mouthfeel, medium bitterenss.
It might not have been very fair to rate this side by side with the older one, but interesting though!
5/3/6/7/11=2.8

2007 (33 cl bottle, thanks ekstedt!)
Muddy shady dark brown color, tan head. Color is a few shades lighter than the 2010 "fresh" version above.
Sweet, spicy and chocolate scent, also lots of nuts. Smooth chocolate and vinous, raissin taste. Smooth mouthfeel, medium high bitterness. This is a winner in regards of storing, nice work there!
8/3/8/4/16=3.9

Tried a fresh bottle along with a three years old bottle together with some ratebeerians, they were quite different. The fresh version is rated here. Hazy reddish brown with medium beige head. Spicy and perfumy, with dark berries and some sweet liquorice. Medium bodied and smooth. Sweet but decently balanced with a dry edge. Quite complex.

330ml bottle (Poirotti Eira, Helsinki) Ruby red, thin light head. The initial sweet aroma becomes a bit acidic (not vinegar, something else), and like cut grass or hay, maybe fresh asparagas. Some rubber burntness. Taste is sharp and rich, but on swallowing it’s pure gravy, rich and beefy. Some soy sauce too. Confusing range of different tastes. Most were very nice, but I don’t expect them all in the same glass.

Garrafa. Coloração âmbar escura/avermelhada. Creme bege razoável. Notas de café, torrefação, nozes e amêndoas. Presença de sedimentos grandes no fundo. Carbonatação média. Encorpada. Creme denso, mas não persistente. Final levemente seco e amargo.

Lucious, full-bodied, complex, and spicy. Beer that makes you sad when you reach the end of your glass, which usually has some sediment in it. Yum.

Bottle from the now closed Pitfield beer shop. Dark brown coloured with red undertones and a big off-white head. Aromas of molasses, liquorice, cardamom and chocolate. Flavour was sweet with dark fruit, spice and more chocolate. Complex and excellent.

Pours brown with large head. Malty aroma with notes of overripe fruits, toffee and yeast. Chocolate flavor that is malty, sweet, spicy and has port notes. Very complex. Best Nöel I have sampled!

Bottle. Pours reddish brown. Cream head although fairly small. Aroma is of fruits / spices / chocolate. Taste is bitter and slightly spiced with a medium body.