Mikkeller Santas Little Helper 2008

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   update pic

Bottle, 75cl corked. It pours a dark chestnut body, looking black in dim light, and with a finger-thick beige head on top. I guess it was biggger when the beer was fresh, but it looks good anyway. It’s vinous and sugary on the nose, with dried figs, cocoa and some spiced notes. After a while in the glass, the alcohol initially noticed more or less disappears and the sugary touch integrates with the other aromas. It’s super-smooth and full-bodied, quite warming too. There’s figs, some spices, chocolate and some coffee, a touch of orange marmelade and a good dash of dark sugars, treacle maybe. The finish has some oxidation to follow the sweet, vinous flavor, some bitterness also chimes in, and the chocolate and dried fruits lasts forever and ever. Also the alcohol burn in the mouth stays for a long time, but just in a pleasant way. A true beauty, wish there were more of these in my cellar.

bottle at Ft Wayne locals tasting - Pours very dark brown with a thin light tan head. The aroma includes spices, dark fruit, malts, and some alcohol. The flavor is an enjoyable blend of sweet malt, spice - especially cinnamon - and dark fruit that leads into a pleasantly bitter finish to a full bodied brew. The aroma isn’t quite what it could be but the flavor and overall impression really tie it all together. Superb.

rich malty, chewy, some chocolate flavors, nose is strong berry with orange peel and chocolate, some coffee as well. great malt character. seriously nutty and deep. great winter warmer.

75 cl bottle at my garage-tasting May 8th. Black color, lovely brown head. Aroma is roasted malt, dark fruit, hops, yeast and spices. Flavor is much the same, with a fine discret sweetness. A very fine mixture of fine tastes.

Bottle shared at Woodshop 5.0. Pours very dark brown with visible sediment and a light tan small head. Very fruity aroma as well as some coffee-like stout notes (the cocoa is very evident, unlike the hops). Some stone fruit ester notes and even some berries. Flavor is peachy with caramel, cocoa, ginger, and a dry, light, bitter finish.

Bottle. Dark, dark brown with a small tan head. Aroma of rich, sweet malt, chocolate and spice. Medium bodied. Absolutely delicious and satisfying flavour with notes of chocolate, coffee, spices, caramel, candy, and sugared orange peel. Beautiful stuff, loved it!

Bottle, private order, R+R. Very dark murky brown, nice brown frothy head. Lots of molasses, fig, chocolate in aroma. Taste - mmmm - nice fig, cinnamon, choclate, alcohol, and even some hops. Wow, this is a terrific winter ale - not sure where the Belgian characteristics come in as this almost tastes like a higher alcohol Anchor. Almost porter like. Lots of chocolate in finish. Terrific complex warming stuff - a real winner.

UPDATED: DEC 13, 2008 Lots of competing spices here, reasonably balanced and much more subtle than its strength. Should get even better after laying down for a year.

Bottle. Aroma with chocolate and different hops. Very dark brown colour, almost black with light brown head. Elegant bitterswwet flavour with hops cinnamon and cocoa. Long lasting aftertaste.

750ml bottle. Pours a very dark brown with a smallish tan head. Aroma is dark roasted malt, coriander, cinnamon, orange peel, dark fruit. Flavor is dark roasted malt, coriander, orange peel, and a touch of chocolate. Finish is sweet dark roasted malt and spicy.