 HOPSHUNTER (376), Tampa, Florida, USA
Feb 16, 2009 Poured a deep brown color with a tall creamy head. Great lacing. A bit too fizzy for my taste. The flavor was typical of a winter/christmas brew but still very good. Very nice beer!
RaginCajun (284), Dallas, Texas, USA
Feb 10, 2009 Dark brown body with a coarse diminishing head. Fruity & malty nose with a touch of ginger and cinnamon in the aroma. Slight yeast note in the aroma as well. Very appetizing. First taste is dominated by various spices and a caramel feel and the palate is rather thin. Slight alcohol astringency on the finish. Despite small blemishes, this is a very well made beer. The flavor is deep and rich, and the palate builds up as you go through the body. Like a typical Christmas ale, this beer has a strong candy taste on the nose with a relatively benign finish. While I do not think this style is in any way the ideal beer, I think the execution of this brew is a good standard for other brewers of Christmas ales to shoot for.
nickd717 (1276), Palo Alto, California, USA
Feb 9, 2009 Bottle at Rose & Crown in Palo Alto. Really solid stuff, maybe even better than the Abt 12. Dark brown color with a red hue. Dark fruits on the aroma with some vinous notes, caramel, and yeast. Sweet malt, candi sugar, dark fruits, spice, and Belgian yeast combine for a strong flavor that stands up to the full body. One of the better holiday beers I’ve had - of course I’d expect no less from Belgian monks who all they do is brew beer (and religious stuff).
SledgeJr (2957), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Feb 8, 2009 2007 vintage in the 750 mL bottle from Johns Market Portland. Huge explosive head. Strong aroma of red wine, raisins and brine. Reddish dark brown. Very thick with big alcohol on the tongue. Fruity big wine flavors. Sweet, but not medicinal. Very similar to the Abt 12, but with less roastedness and much more sweetness.
nearbeer (1833), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Feb 8, 2009 750 ml. Murky, darkish brown with a lasting half inch of foam. Aroma is raisin, brown sugar, spiced rum and light caramel. Flavor is the same but with more rum. Medium body is a bit too frothy, has some alcohol warmth and a spicy-dryness.
BrotherGrendel (545), San Diego (La Jolla), California, USA
Feb 8, 2009 A- Murky caramel/orange hue, huge amounts of off-white frothy head that is effervescent and mostly sustaining, splatters of lacing
S- Nose is dark fruits, sweet belgian candy, alcohol, green apples, and spices
T- Initial taste is dark fruits followed by spritzy spices, peppermint, and bananas, finishes with sweetness and alcohol warming
M- Full-bodied, thick chewy texture, amped-up carbonation
D- Smooth and balanced strong ale, milder spice flavors and lively carbonation contribute to a unique taste profile, very easy-drinking but best enjoyed sipping slowly on a cold night
altonbrownd (1862), Amsterdam, Netherlands
Feb 6, 2009 Cracked Kettle. Dark brown body with medium head. Nice spicy and warm nose. Malty and spicy taste, with malts, caramel and sugar coming through. Some alcohol too, but not really the ABV. Merry Christmas, indeed!!
Pipper (225), Ohio, USA
Feb 3, 2009 Part of 3 sampler, 10cl poured into a whit wine glass at Birra Artigianale di Qualita in Milan. Great spicy smell, smooth mouth feel, great spicy taste with definite solid overtones of some seriously sweet malt, definitely a christmas ale. Wouldn’t be able to stomach a whole pint but 10cl was a nice reminder of the holidays.
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