St. Bernardus Christmas Ale

Brewed by St. Bernard Brouwerij
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Watou, Belgium

Deep ruby color. Dark, but shows a pure redness in the light. Nice thick layer of foam. Strongly phenolic aroma. Vague fruitiness (dates, persimmon?). Spicy yeastiness. Huge sweet fruitiness. Cherries and maybe strawberries. Even a detectable leafy hoppiness in the finish. Do I maybe even get some chocolate in the finish? Now it seems like chocolate covered cherries. Curious and unique. The aroma becomes somewhat herbal and spicy, maybe minty or more like the crushed leaves of strawberry vines.

Bottle@Home. Vanilla and raisin aroma. Hay, dark brown colour, beige head, good lace. Sweet, light bitter, malty, spicy, prunes, raisin. Smooth and warming. Flavourful, nice balance.

750ml Bottle: Aroma of malts, lots of spices, dark fruits, cinnamon, nutmeg, yeast, birch beer, and brown sugar. Poured medium-brown/slight amber in color with a huge, foamy, rocky, khaki head that lasted throughout. Hazy. Very sparkling. Good lacing. Flavor is lightly sweet and lightly bitter. Tastes of yeast, spices, birch beer, malts, dark fruits, light cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, light bitter hops, light cola, slight caramel, slight alcohol, and raisins. Medium to full body. Effervescent, chalky texture. Lively carbonation. Sweet, yeasty, semi-dry finish with a hint of tar. A nice Christmas brew.

Tallahassee, Fl. - Market Square Liquors, 750 ml caged corked bottle. Dark chestnut brown with an extremely thick and fluffy khaki colored head, thick, sticky lacing. Strong aroma - hints of bubble gum, rum raisin cake and alcohol. Good rib sticking flavor. Hints of licorice, molasses, raisins, touch of caramel, hint of booziness in the finish. Very warming and welcome. Good, thickish mouthfeel. Will be a standby at the liquor store this winter when nothing else new to rate.

Dark brown, thick creamy tan head. Soft fruity aromas of ripe plum and cherry that sit on spiced vanilla brown sugar tones. Dried fruit flavor is well balanced by yeasty sugary caramel notes and hints of rounding hop bitterness. Medium to full bodied, moderate carbonation, spiced dark fruit finish. A nice winter warmer without a doubt. Thanks for sharing, Brian!

Bottled. Dark amber coloured. Unclear. Light brown head. Fruits, light raisin, spice (cloves and cinnamon) in the nose. Flavour of dried fruits, alcohol, spice, ligth cocoa and liqourice. Full bodied. Marcipanny alcoholdense end. Very warming and delicous.

Hazy dark ruby - thick, foamy head - fairly sweet in the nose, with a complex mix lavender, dried herbs, rose water, a light bit of earthiness underneath - full carbonation in the mouth - not as sweet at the aroma suggests - quite a bit of herbal character (thyme, mostly), as well as some wildflower notes - warming spiciness and a touch of alcohol warmth - clean sweetness and fruity character through the middle - a touch of funkiness and the faintest hint of phenolic character on the back end - lingering dried herbs in the finish - pretty good.

Murky brown color with a large head. Strong aroma of yeast, spice, banana and cinnamon. The first taste that jumped to mind was spearmint. Very herbal. Malty and yeasty. And tasty!