Corsendonk Christmas Ale

Brouwerij Corsendonk
Brewed at Brasserie Du Bocq
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Turnhout, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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Medium-brown, little head that dies quickly; looked like a barley wine. Strong brandy/plum aroma/flavor, with some noticeable alcohol, licorice, raisins, perhaps just a hint of nutmeg, and more bitterness than I expected. Warming, good body, slight astringency at the end. I looked forward to this for a while; though the holiday I drank it closest to is Halloween, I am pleased.

UPDATED: NOV 26, 2003 Well it is exactly 2 months and 2 weeks until Christmas, can you believe it ? Dark rich Belgian Ale, much better than Corsendonk's other selections. I can taste fruit,raisins and caramel . This remind me of Traquair House Jacobite Ale,without the odd flavors of that one, even though I know they are different styles. The first Frost of the season is forecast for Sunday, here ,and this beer is a wake up call to Winter is coming,I like Winter, snow and the Holidays, it is a Winner, Recommended ! 2003 Version,burnt,salty, flavours do not mix well. and not pleasing nothing like last years that was so good. I do not recommend this Ale this year it is against the grain, Not Recommended for 2003 Rating for 2002 (4.4)

UPDATED: JAN 7, 2004 750 ML bottle: Maybe it wasn't a good idea to drink an entire bottle of this after the first GABF session, nah, it was a great idea. Super malty, spicy and full of dark fruit aroma, appearance of old chunky apple cider, wonderful smooth mouthfeel. This stuff just slides down your throat and doesn't show any sign of its high ABV%. I'll be trying this again as soon as I see another bottle.

This is a nice winter seasonal. Yeasty smell, dark amber/brown in color. Kind of spicy on the palate with a warming malt aftertaste.

A nice Christmas beer, lots of spice, fruit, warming body. Will age well.

Pours a cloudy redish-brown, the head is quite large, frothy, beige in color, with tonnes of lace. Nose is malt, caramel, raisin, sweet. Front is malt and slightly sweet, the top is light to medium, the finish is well hopped, quite dry, brandyish, acidic, and a nice ’Belly Warmer’. Ranks #276 on my current 1000 beer master list.

UPDATED: JAN 5, 2007 I recall the 12 oz. more assertively flavored. The 750 is more subdued. Yet, the huge aroma features blackberry, candied malt, fresh cotton candy, fruitcake, plum pudding, and earthy hops. Flavors match aroma with subtle differences of woodiness. Finishes earthy, dryly malty, and notably dry.

Lot’n’2000:Huge cork explosion reveals dark mahogany liquid.Carbonated,clingy,head.Aromas are very unique.Wet wood,spices,caramel,and surely some hops.Watery palate makes flavors in mouth hard to hold on to.Acidic caramel,lead up to a great woody-hop finish.Yes,like description,it does linger.Didn’t do much for me,but didn’t offend.

Now this ale I warmed up to. The more I drank the more I liked it. Its a dark caramel tasting ale.