Corsendonk Christmas Ale

750 ml bottle. Pours a deep red/brown with a thick creamy head that lasted through the entire glass. Aroma is malt, raisins and plums. These same traits are also present in the flavor along with some cinammon. My bottle was not at all sweet, and in fact was a bit dry I thought, which is about my only complaint. Still, quite enjoyable. Shared this with some friends and was a nice way to begin the new year’s celebration.

750 ml bottle. Dark brown/redish body with huge beige head. Aroma is malty, candysugar and spices. Flavor is sweet candysugar, malty, yeasty, spicy and some raisin. Long aftertaste with a hint of bitterness. A pleasant, rather sweet, but well balanced beer.

Bottle. 75 cl champagne-style. Amber colour with a beige head. Aroma is sweet, malt , caramel. Flavour is sweet, malt, caramel, yeast, roasted, hop.

Bottle: Dark brown pour with a fluffy tan head that lasts with nice sheets of lacing. Nose is a blend of fruitiness with some raison, wine?, spices, and malts. Complex, yet soothing. Taste is a smooth, creamy blend of malts, fruitiness, spices, wine, and even a bit of toffee. Nice blend of flavors is complex, yet simple and refreshing. Thanks DocLock!

Bottle 750 ml. Thin khaki head over a dark brown body. Rich aroma of malt and spices, mainly pepper and cinnamon. Taste is sweet dark malts, dark dried fruits, candysugar and caramel. Medium to full body. Smooth. Nice bitter and fruity/acidic aftertaste.

(Draught at Akkurat, Stockholm, 19 Dec) Mahogany colour with ruby notes. Brief, foamy, beige head. Malty, yeasty nose with notes of dried fruit and prunes, sweetish. Aroma leaning in the standard Belgian ale direction. Malty, spicy, roasted and yeasty taste with dried fruit (prunes, apricots), brown sugar and spicy hops. I’m not really overwhelmed, but it’s a tasty and well made brew.

Bottle. Somewhat faint aroma with Belgian qualities. Clear, dark red color with large, light tan head. Very attractive brew. Head erodes and there is not much lace. Belgian yeast. Mild, and not overly sweet. Enjoyable. Finish of sardines and crackers. Could be residual from cheese spread and crackers I had previously. Good brew, but nothing outstanding. From a holiday beer I look for either a warmer (high alc) or spices. This really has neither. The 8.5% ABV is largely hidden and only sneaks up at the end. Solid and drinkable.

25cL bottle. Beautiful cherry-brown appearance; light tan head with great retention and lacing. Generous, warm aroma: plenty of yeast and bread notes, esters, dried cherries, and spice. Full mouthfeel: malt-dominated, with maple syrup and hints of roasted malts; lots of yeast and doughy character; fresh bread, and some pepper on the finish. Surprisingly good.