Abbaye des Rocs Speciale Noel

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

Bottle: Poured a muddy dark brown color ale with a huge off-white bubbly head with better then average retention. Aroma of big sweet malt with a distinctive yeast presence. Taste is semi-sweet caramel malt with some faint presence of prunes with a slightly funky yeast presence toward the end. Body is quite full and alcohol is very well hidden. I still feel that it lack a little something to make it truly spectacular but very good beer nonetheless.

On Tap at the Borough Arms, Crewe 01/05/2005 Amber coloured and strong in alcohol with a fruit aroma. Slightly spicy flavour. Warming malt finish.

[bottle from kulminator] Big sweet fruity aroma, plums, cherrys, chocolate, banana, nutmeg. mouthfilling body, vinous finish.

On tap at the White Horse, Parsons Green. Deep reddish brown colour. Quite crisp for a Christmas beer. Lots of slightly sour, mushy plums and cherries in the aroma. Didn’t get much in the way of spices, although it was served fairly cold. More fruit on the palate - raisins and plums. The mouthfeel is quite light, which is no bad thing as it doesn’t get too rich or cloying. A lightly acidic sour bite on the finish completes the picture and makes for an eminently (and dangerously) drinkable beer although not as imposing as I expected.

Bottle. Pours a hazy deep amber with a large creamy off-white head that lasted. Heavy complex toasted caremel and allspice aroma. Medium body with a sticky texture. Moderate sweet spice flavor with a long finish. Good winter brew.

Very nice fruity and yeasty aroma. Appearance is good too. Overall a very nice balanced brew with nice hints of fruit and a good grainy, malty flavor. Nice enjoyable brew.

I was very taken with this beer. Beautiful in the glass, wonderful smell, and a taste that delivers what it promises. The nose is metallic (not a bad thing), sweet, grainy malt, yeast, and citrus freshness. Not cloying like some Xmas beers. Also some grape and plum notes. The taste is equally complex - nutty, subtly spiced, rich and complex and very easy drinking. I have enormous respect for this brewery.

Bouteille 75 cl, à consommer de préférence avant la fin de 2008, consommé en Janvier 2006. Couleur acajou aux reflets orange-brun. Apparence trouble, semi opaque et envahi de gros dépôts de levure, surmonté d’une bonne quantité de mousse beige pale et perdurant pour l’éternité. Complexes arômes de caramel, de mélasse, de sirop de pêches, de raisins verts, d’écorce d’orange, d’épices et de fruits séchés style prunes, dattes, raisins. Saveurs de caramel, de levure à gâteau, de confiseries à l’orange et d’épices sous une touche de fruits foncés. Finale introduisant un profil grillé de malt et tout en exposant pleinement les délicates épices. L’alcool demeure presque entièrement masqué au fil de chacune des gorgées. Corps d’épaisseur moyenne à pleine abrite une très douce carbonatation aux fines bulles respectueuses. Un chef d’œuvre hivernale ! Bouteille bièropholie, Novembre 2004.