Corsendonk Christmas Ale

Bottle. A very sweet smell, malty, a little bit of alcohol. A medium light brown fizzy-creamy head with a short duration, the body is in a dark red-brown. The taste is malty, a light bitter finish. A lively carbonation, light to medium body, dry and a little bit oily.

Pours a nice clear brown with some orangish highlights. The head never goes away and is fine. The aroma is malty and sweet like Christmas, with some spice. Mouthfeel is full and velvety. Malty, with some cinnamon and corriander. Makes me wish that Christmas was all year long!

Strong Belgian malt base, dried fruit and spice flavors come through as well. Right balance of flavors not too sweet for my palate. Sampled @ World Cafe Live Winterfest ’09.

Simply put, this reminds me of Christmas, which is probably the point. Cinnamon, nutmeg and a bit of corriander appear in both the aroma and the flavor.

Tulip Glass Pours a mahogany color, with a huge resilient head. Aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, with some metallic iron tones. Sweet cinnamon, coriander, some nutmeg on the tongue, with metallic tones that were slightly unpleasant. Bite on the palate throughout, with a metallic aftertaste being prevalent.

Appearance: Clear, deep reddish-brown body with a well-sized, foamy, light khaki-colored head. Nice creamy lacing on the way down. Smell: Malty, sweetish aroma smelling of molasses, brown sugar, and simple syrup -- all sorts of sweet treats. There’s a strong, downright perfumy orange note in the nose, like sniffing a full shot of triple sec. Touches of spicy and light floral hints. Taste: Sweet, dark maltiness with tastes of dark caramel, molasses, and brown sugar. Slight nuttiness, maybe even some slight breadiness. As was the case with the aroma, there’s that very distinct orange fruitiness. Pleasant spiciness with an extra added dash of coriander. Very, very faint floral hint. Never more than a minor bitterness present. Pinch of cocoa powder arrives late in the flavor. Finishes fruity with a lingering maltiness and hint of earthy spice. Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation. Drinkability: A tasty wintertime offering from Corsendonk and one I’d be happy (yes, happy) to return to next year.

Deep hazy copper body with a huge tan head. The smell is full of bananas and cloves with lots of fruity esters and gentle spicing. The taste has lots of chocolate and spice, but with subtle wheat notes coming throughout. Well balanced. The spice is not overwhelming like most Christmas brews, but rather a part of a whole idea. Delicious!

Bottle. Pours a dark brown with a very large, off-white head. Aromas of hops, nutmeg, and orange. Texture is creamy with a lively carbonation. Very nice flavor with complex fruits and spices. Not the best Christmas beer I have had, but by far not the worst either.