Abbaye des Rocs Speciale Noel

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

33 cL bottle. Pours with light brown and shotlasting head but creamy head. Strong smeel of a specific hop (dunno which - but I like this one) Smell and taste of hop, caramel, malt and spice. Chocolate, dark yet sweet after taste. All sorts of different aftertastes come up with every zip. This is a real belgian Christmas ale as one would expect it to be - very good work!

Bottle. The evening’s big surprise was defiantly this one. Have tried the Abbaye des Rocs Brune and the Speciale Noel is not quit as complex but still carries some of the excellent characteristic from its big brother. Color was plumed like black with an exceptional creamy head. Some lacing is left in glass. Aroma is heavy sweet, with notes of plum, raisins, dates, nuts and bread. Not much hop notes can be felt. Some smoked notes like tobacco and some chocolate can also be detected in the bouquet and mouth. Medium to full bodied with flavor being heavy sweet. Finish is sweet, spicy and here some hoppy bitterness can be felt, which gives this beer a very strong and impressive finish. All in all a fantastic experience.

Bottle. Brown color with huge creamy light brown head. Caramel, malt, cane sugar, spice and orange. Flavor of rich dark fruit, roastiness, maple, and light spices. Nice carbonation and perfekt balance.

Hazy Brown with huge offwhite head. Caramel, malt, cane sugar, spice and orange. Nice carbonation and perfekt balance. Indeed a fine beer.

Bottle from 2001: Unclear amber with fine white head. Sweet aroma of malts, nuts & caramel. Some dark fruits. Warmth from alcohol - but very pleasant. Sweetness with a spicy touch (cloves). Filling body. Smooth mouthfeel. Long finish. Fantastic!

(Bottle, best before 2007) Pours a murky dark brown body with an average creamy light brown head and excellent lacing retention. Complex aroma of nuts, fresh baked bread warm out of the oven, warm marshmallows, dark fruits (raisins, plums, dates), bourbon, and maple syrup. Flavor of rich dark fruit, roastiness, maple, and light spices. Just an incredible delight!

(750ml bottle) Vintage 2002 given to me by MaiBockAddict at BCTC 2005. Pours a medium, beige creamy head with a lasting thin film atop the sediment-filled deep orange. Its more than sediment its huge white and peppery floaties. The nose if very fresh fig in aroma and a mild hint of alcohol hovers above the Belgian maltedness. The flavour is purely smooth while droplets of chocolate and cherries dribble down my gorge. A fine specimen.

Robe rousse voilée surmontée d’une mousse beige épaisse et persistante. Arômes de cerises, de coriandre et de levure. Saveurs de cerises, de coriandre et de levure. Houblon de soutien. Beaucoup de levure en suspension.