De Dolle Stille Nacht Special Reserva 2005

Formerly brewed at De Dolle Brouwers
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Diksmuide, Belgium

20100106 Bottle from Spirits in Red Bank back in, I guess, 2006. Drank a few then, put a few away, forgot about them, saw them when I moved in August, forgot again, needed to clear out some space in the closet to fit the shop vac, saw this shiny yellow cap and said, heh, when will it ever be a better day to drink a special beer than today. Special indeed. Plenty carbonated with an even though small head of lasting white foam. The beer is a medium honey color, lightly hazed. Aroma is mouth watering, full of sweet bread pudding, fig, white grape, tawny port. Medium bodied with fine, even eff. Flavor has mellowed considerably, and the alcoholic heat greatly toned down. But it certainly would be disappointing if the boozy kick had dissipated completely. Indeed it has not. This beer is certainly big, lush, head numbingly rich, and incredibly vinous. It has in fact most of the qualities I like in a big American chardonnay--the tropical fruits, distinct grapiness, acidic tang--and thankfully, surprisingly, it lacks much of what I despise in those same wines--the insipid buttery, vanilla, cloying fresh oakiness that just refuses to ease off the palate. But this Stille Nacht SR brings a freshness to the finish, dare I say, despite its age. A nice combination of what bitterness is left in the hops, fresh cut grass, slight lemon zest. Beyond that, there is some evidence of age, a bit of complimentary oxidation that may in fact have been there when the beer was fresh(er), I don’t really recall. I may have just hit a sweet spot with this beer, maybe I’m just in a good mood tonight, perhaps it’s the glee of opening an aged beer that has actually turned out beautifully, or maybe I am feeling happily nostalgic about the bottle of DDSNR 2000 I shared with friends five years ago. Delicious beer. I’m glad I held on to a few.

bottle thanks to CaptainCougar. Pours a muddy amber with a white head. Nose is brown sugar and vinous fruit. taste is of vinous fruit and brown sugar. Mouthfeel is sweet with alcohol warmth and good carbonation. This was delicious.

21st February 2008. Deep orange beer. Strong brandy notes. Crisp and effervescent. Subtle spciy fruit.

Rated after the LCRBM 2009 in the Kulminator. The bottle looks great, the beer in the glass also. Copper-brown, creamy head. Starts fruity-malty, notes of lemon and apricot. Increasing sourish. Warming malty with a very well balanced finish. A great beer!

Served from a12 oz bottle via bonus from trade with ygtbsm94. Much thanks! Bottle was a bit of a gusher and then poured a deep deep orange with a small dingy head and some sediment. Aromas and flavors of grapes, honey, chocolate covered raisins, candy sugar, dark fruits. Mouth is nicely carbonated and full. A flavorful and well aged treat.

Bottle mucho thanks to danielcurtis81 on his wedding week. Pours yellow/orange with fading off-white bubbly head and noticeably unfiltered. Sweet aroma with ripe juicy fruit, slight tart and marshmallow. Nice smooth, creamy taste that follows the nose. Very great taste, a slight alcohol burn, and a very nice fruit component. Tastes like drinking a delicacy. Thank you Dan!

Bottle thanks to fata! Damn this one is still drinking oh so good. Golden pour. Strong honey, fruit, yeast and light woody aromas. Flavor is sweet with some nice fruit and is a bit dry. I detected no oxidation, just a really great beer. Glad to have tried this one!

Bottle at the Kulminator in Antwerp. Sweet buttery aroma with honey and cream flavors. Slightly bitter and tart with some horse blanket. Light Woodiness. Long bitter sweet duration. Quite good.