Abbaye des Rocs Speciale Noel

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

Poured without much head and had chunks of sediment floating around. I feared it was going to be another casualty of the long journey to NZ. However, it tasted great anyway - like liquid Christmas cake. Fruity and a strong blast of booze - what else would you expect at Christmas. Rumble had a few bottles left last week.

Thanks Fonefan. Red mahogany with chunks of sediment and a nice, huge and creamy head. The aroma has sweetness, roasted malt, candy sugar, dark fruit, raisin and caramel. The flavour has sweetness, notes of roasted malt, candy sugar, citrus, dark fruit, raisin and a nice citrussy finish. This brew has a nice balance as expected.

2008-02-28. Ruby brown body with a modest beige head. (3+) Sweet rich ambiguous fruit in the aroma, sugars are muddled but pleasant (7+). Sweet fruity flavour, similar spices as in the aroma, very brief allusion to candy cane (7+). Becomes a touch to sweet halfway, but is still quite nice. Smooth, not quite medium bodied palate. (3+)
On tap at Delerium Cafe, Brussels

Bottle from 2003. Pours a dark amber color with a small off-white head. Malty dark fruit aroma with hints of caramel and spices. Warming dark fruit flavor with caramel and chocolate hints. Sweet malty and warming dark fruit finish.

Poured cloudy reddish brown with slight off white head that dropped away quickly with no lace. Medium bodied and surprisingly lively. Aroma of Xmas cake , port and plum brandy; very seasonal! Caramel and dried fruit flavours leading to smoky orange and ginger. For a complex beer, I found the flavour dissipated too rapidly leading to a finish full of brandy and hints of liquorice.

Nice brown with red tinge,head weak not much cover,aroma port wine caramel,malt,fruit,flavour is caramel,ginger,malt,fruitiness like drinking cherries.VeryChristmas like flavours,finish is fruity mellow and malty,a lovely drink with superb body.

brown with a touch of red colour, lively foam. rich in taste of resin, citrus, alcohol, spice, plum, sweet berries, finishes with a nice finish.

(Bottle, thanks rickgordon!) 2004: Pours dark brown with an off white head. The aroma is fruity, malty and spicy with tones of caramel, pears, coriander, clove, fennel, raisins, oranges and yellow apples. Also a lot of toffee and nut cream. Sweet, sugary and warming with a touch of chocolate. The flavour is malty and fruity with caramel and some subtle spices. The mouthfeel is soft, creamy, round and velvety. Medium to full bodied. (Bottle, thanks Rick) 2007: Pours a bit muddy dark brown. The aroma is spicy and fruity with some caramel and earth. Some floral hoppiness. Clove, coriander and white pepper is also present. Hints of canned pineapples and pears. The flavour is fruity, light spicy and tiny caramelly. The mouthfeel is a bit sharp with a nice floral spiciness in the aftertaste. Medium to full bodied. Great!