 DMRz (218), Durham, North Carolina, USA
Mar 21, 2009 The ale pours a cloudy dark brown with a two finger tan head. Aromas of malt, candi sugar, and green grapes much like those enjoyed off of the vine at a picturesque Finger Lakes winery entrance the nostrils. The flavour is quite nice, with a certain wine character that enhances the other notes of roasted malt and cardamom. The finish is dry and reminiscent of Champagne. Although the alcohol boisterously makes its presence felt, it is not overwhelming. This is a fine Saturnalian ale that would also be delightful with a nice roast for Christmas lunch.
RCL (1443), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
Mar 21, 2009 Candied plums and spices in the aroma. Medium sweet, well balanced flavor totally conceals the 10% ABV. Very nice.
jimmack (1221), Nutley, New Jersey, USA
Mar 19, 2009 750ml bottle. Dark brown color with a medium sized beige head. Yeasty, fruity aroma of black bread, dried fruits and brown sugar. Flavor starts off sweet, with some caramel and dried fruits before quickly turning dry with lots of yeasty, bready notes. Alcohol is quite apparent, but never overpowering. Very enjoyable.
diabel (1366), Aarschot, Belgium
Mar 13, 2009 Draught Clear, hazel brown body. Creamy, off-white head. Good lace. Aroma of strong malts, raisin, grapes, bitter chocolate, ... Moderately sweet, lightly bitter flavour of caramel, bitter chocolate. Very mellow and pleasant. Very good balance and very complex as well. Typical christmas beer: malts, high in alcohol, warming and a nice complexity and balance.
amirneu (6), Israel
does not count  Mar 6, 2009 A true belgian masterpiece! A rich, thick dark ale with a very complex aroma of roasted barley and a unique chocolate-caramel taste.
A real winter warmer.
tomthompson89 (1459), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Mar 4, 2009 nice dark pour, foam is beige and creamy. nose is sweet malts candy sugar, some fruity notes and belgian spice. flavor is similar sweet and spicy. yummy
Goodgrief (1144), Middletown, Delaware, USA
Feb 21, 2009 Year old bottle. Murky brown pour, super head and spider web lacing. The aroma is yeasty with hints of dark fruit. The flavor follows suit. Sweet fruity malt, but some spicing and a lot of good belgian yeastiness. Creamy in the mouthfeel. For some reason, this thing made me crave a cheeseburger...off to the grill!
Glouglouburp (2778), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Feb 18, 2009 In short: A Belgian Christmas dark ale that is extra-yeasty, a little fruity, a little spicy and relatively dry. Very good beer
How: Bottle 750ml. Consumed when 1 year of age.
The look: Dark ruby (almost mahogany) body topped by a large beige head
In long: From the nose I could tell this is a very yeasty beer. Nose also has a lot of woody hops. Taste is unsurprisingly very yeasty but not as fruity as with most extra-yeasty beer. Tree bark, dry wood, dried dates, dried figs, nuts, caramel, some toffee. For once the usual Christmas spices (cloves mainly) are very well integrated and do not feel like an addition. No alcohol presence at all, this beer is surprisingly drinkable for a 10% monster. Expansive foamy/spongy body. Very good but not excellent. From most other breweries this beer would be an achievement, but coming from St-Bernardus it is only a moderate success because they have set the bar so high. If all bars were set so high only basketball players would be able to order a beer in a pub.
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