Corsendonk Christmas Ale

33cl Bottle Best Before 9/18/08 I was lucky enough to get this bottle as part of my Secret Santa package from Tayner, thanks a bunch Dana. As I pour a big dense head rises without any pressure. All in one creamy and rocky, sitting atop a ruby body with tiny carbonation bubbles exploding to the surface. Leaves excellent lacing on it’s way down. The aroma kicks off with a big spoonful of coriander and candied orange peel. Dark fruits abound in the background including cinnamon coated stewed plums with a bit of a spiced-cake batter. Goes together nicely and certainly brings the smells of Christmas into the room. The flavor doesn’t quite live up to the expectations set forth by the aroma. While still good things seem to be a little muddied compared to the smell. The coriander and candied orange are still involved over the top of a spiced Christmas-styled cake maltiness. There’s a mineralish quality running through the flavor. I have to say the body on this beer is actually on the light side. Unfortuntly, the body could stand a bit more oomph!. The aggressive carbonation is what keeps this beer light and airy. The airyness of this beer actually improves the drinkability. Keeps moving leaving me wanting another sip. The spicing keeps me from indulging too much throughout the night though. This is a quality Christmas beer no matter which way you slice things. The aroma is outstanding and immediately pulls you into all the flavors of the holiday season. Thanks again Dana! 1/26/08

Tap at Monk’s cafe, Small glass overflowing with spicy aroma, slightly sweet, but very complex. This followed through to the flavor, which was spicy smoky bitter sweet sour citrusy - everything at the same time. A wonderfully rich complex beer perfect for the holidays.

belgian trappist ale with pepper hint...was that clove...not as bold as other ales but tasty enough to be a great rep

on tap at kelly’s. pours a hazy red amber, with a thin off-white creamy head that leaves a bit of lacing here and there. woody caramel malt notes dominate the smell, with a hint of spice (maybe anise and coriander, with a sprinkling of cinnamon?). woody, earthy caramel malt taste, combined a bit more spice. light bittersweet finish, quite creamy and lots of carbonation, but almost no body whatsoever. i was amazed at how thin and watery it felt. almost as a rule, i don’t like these overly spiced christmas beers, but this is probably my favorite of that style. i just don’t understand how it got so watery.

Bottle 0,75l. Amber colored. A large tanned head that settled in a couple of minutes. Fruity and nutty aroma. Hints of plums. Sweet mouthfeel. Rich flavor dominated by spice and fruit. A gradually developing sweet bitter aftertaste that lasted forever.

One of the few Christmas beers I actually tried. Nice sweet, fruity flavor of liqourice, dried apricot and raisins. It’s a shame the bottle just was 25 cl...

Aged bottle from 2006...Very pretty amber with brown highlights...off-white head that fades....aroma--- molasses, candy malt and dates and figs....a molasses flavor raisins and sweet malts...an overall sweetness to this creation....light to medium sticky body...smells better than it tastes...makes me think of a bastard child that spawned from an ale and a port

I picked up a bottle of this at my local liquor store. Poured murky brown with a big beige head that dissipated into a light oily head that lingers. The nose is pleasantly complex. The first scent I get is some citrus, but quickly I get into the nitty gritty. It is rich in thick chocolate malt. That is complimented by dark fruits. Underneath this, there is a bite of alcohol that lets me know that this is 8.5 percent. The taste is pleasant. The taste is big on those dark fruit I mentioned with a touch of citrus, and a nice warm finish provided by the alcohol. It lingers on the back of my throat. It is well balanced, and interesting to say the least. This beer went above and beyond my expectations. A great winter warmer.