3.6 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 15/20
Big yellowish beige head. Deep brownish body with small particles. Intense alcoholic aroma of wood, bread, dried fruit, pepper, and faintly metallic hops. Sharp licorice and chocolatey bread and fruit taste with dark wooden notes. Peppery, clean mouthfeel. Harmonic and complex. Considerable alcohol heat. Dry licorice and soft metal afteraste with roasty notes. Very nice. (0.75l bottle from the wine monopoly.)
4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
On tap at Hopleaf, Chicago, December 2003. I didn't take great notes on this one, alas -- too drunk by then, or just reeling from the nectar that was Girardin? Never mind, this was an excellent spicy brownish strong concoction, with nice raisins and brown sugar along with hints of allspice and cinnamon. Not the most complex thing out there, but very drinkable and balanced.
3.5 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 13/20
Clear amber clour, surprisingly light for 10% A very good Belgian ale, while not very Christmassy?
4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 17/20
750 ml bottle from Wholefoods. Clear rich golden amber with almost no head. Apricot aroma with hints of sourness and spice. Nice fruity tart taste with a good breadiness and some mild spice to the finish.
3.4 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
Poured a medium amber color. Aromas and flavors were fruity. Picked up mostly peaches. Sweet malt, dark fruit, and some spice. Medium bodied. Not as complex as some of the other big name Belgian holiday beers.
2.9 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 5/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 11/20
Draught at Cole’s, Buffalo NY. Pours a flat clear amber with a small off-white head. Nice aroma of sweet malt, sugar, yeast, Christmas spices, caramel and alcohol. Flavour pretty much follows the aroma but with more alcohol and a slightly metallic aftertaste that I really don’t like. Dissapointing.
4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Beautiful red-orange-amber, big off-white head with thick lace. Delicious aromas of barley candy, candied orange peel, and lots of spice. Sweet and warm palate, lots of toffee and fruity yeast, brandy, ginger, mace... lots of great stuff! A very satisfying beer.
3.5 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 13/20
Strong, warm and spicy. Medium brown, medium head. Spice, coriander, ginger? Flavor is sweet, palate is warming.
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