Mikkeller Santas Little Helper 2007

Mikkeller
Formerly brewed at De Proefbrouwerij
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Copenhagen V, Denmark

Dense brownish black, tan creamy head. Complex nose of milk chocolate and oatmeal raisin cookies that warm to soft levels of juniper, cinnamon bread, and hints of mild roasted coffee. Spiced plums and milk chocolate coated berries balance well on a backing evergreen hop tone. 11% expertly hidden. Full bodied, medium carbonation, bittersweet finish. One of the better Christmas brews I have had in a long time. Well made without a doubt…

750mL bottle, synth cork. Thick dark brown/black, red tinted head. Amazing appearance. Aroma of spruce, fruit and spice. Very thick. Chewy. Flavor of holiday spice cake. All alcohol is very well hidden. What a special find this bottle was. Lucky to be able to enjoy it with such special friends! Good Times.

First Mikkeller beer... finally. Black beer with a moderate dark tan head, good lacing and retention. Aroma is fruity with spices, dark malts like chocolate, coffee and some caramel notes as well. Medium to heavy body, spicy alcohol kick finish. Very enjoyable but could use some time to cool off. Still, I didn’t mind the alcohol in the end and it worked well with the flavors.

Appearance: Pours a black body with a full, though short-lived tan head. Smell: Peppery and spicy from the onset with the scent of a cabernet and dark malts. All in all, the nose hides the myriad of flavors that await you. Taste: It’s time to ride the Mikkeller conveyor belt of flavor and pass by tastes of white pepper, bittersweet chocolate, and sweet toasted candi sugar. A wave of robust red wine courses through the flavor and carries with it a touch of tartness. Hint of burnt chestnuts. Fruity finish. Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Moderate carbonation. Warming alcohol presence. Drinkability: A very delightful Christmastime beer that drinks rather easily despite the 11% ABV.

Shit, this is yummy. Kind of fizzy, sweet alcohol, sugar, chocolate, (simple sugar) in the taste. Chocolate, doughy, in the aroma. This is very sweet with some red plum fruit. Spicy and strange with some fruit. Decent.

750 ml corked and caged bottle poured a translucent dark brown nearly black with a large creamy lasting tan head with nice lacing. Aromas of chocolate milk, roasted malt, spice, vanilla, pepper and a hiunt of licorice. Palate was medium bodied smooth and warming. Flavors of bitter chocolate, vanilla, light spice, light charcoal and a hint of mocha with a smooth warming chocolatey finish.
One of the best Christmas beers I’ve tried this year!

Bottled. Pours out in a dark thick brown colour with a rich and frothy tan-coloured foam. Sweet and spicy aroma of dark chocolate, raisins, coriander, fresh cherries, anise, sweet raspberries and yeast. Full-bodied with notes of dark chocolate, sweet fudge, brown sugar, mild coriander and red berries. Well-hidden alcohol. Long finish of raisin, figs, tar berries, sweet licorice and chocolate. Another superb offering from Mikkeller.

750 ml bottle - pours thick and dark; no head; thick aromas of mostly raisins and fruit; just a touch of spice; thick and complex flavors follow - sugar, dates, malts and slightly more spice than with the nose; dry and roasted finish; texture is thick and creamy; very nice