While the holidays alone can easily sell
themselves, Christmas beers are rooted in tradition rather than the
commercialization of the holidays. Back in the middle ages, monasteries marked
the birth of Christ by brewing their strongest, most robust beer. Norwegian
farmers were required by law to brew Yule ale for their workers. In the 19th
century, the British offered free Christmas ale in their workhouses. Christmas
beer often means bigger, bolder, and more of everything, however the only true
guideline is that it’s something special, used in the spirit of giving.
We got together to taste through a
selection of the Christmas beers we have at the shop. Our panel consisted of
Joey, Renzo, and myself, as well as fellow beer aficionado, Sean. We tasted
through ten Belgian Christmas beers because Christmas beers have strong Belgian
roots and we also have a good selection of Belgian beers at the store. Most of
these beers are dark, with strong flavors and rich spices. La Rulles Cuvee
Meilleurs Voeux was the unanimous pick of the night for its light, refreshing
mouthfeel and carbonation. Here's our take on Harry's ten Belgian beers of
Christmas.
Cheers, and Happy Holidays to you and
yours.
-Amy
Wittekerke Winter White Ale, $10.69
ABV: 7.5%
Style: Belgian Witbier
Light and pale. Both the nose and the taste
were lacking the bold, spicy flavors typical of belgian ale yeast. Almost more
similar to a lager yeast. It tasted a little bland and watered down. For a 7.5%
abv, the alcohol didn't show through at all.
Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux, $9.99
ABV: 9.5%
Style: Belgian Blonde
Brasserie Dupont is known for their world
class saisons. Dry, spicy, and fruity. Strong honey flavor and a sharp yeasty
presence. A smooth carbonation and secondary bottle fermentation give it depth
and complexity. Another world class saison from Brasserie Dupont.
Gouden Carolus Noel 2013, $7.99
ABV: 10%
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Currants, licorice and sharp anise on the
nose followed by a similar taste. Overwhelmingly full of black licorice, dark
fruits, and herbal medicinal notes. Someone called it a bottle of Jagermeister
at first sip. Pungent, bitter and syrupy, this one is definitely a slow sipper.
La Rulles Cuvee Meilleurs Voeux, $9.99
ABV: 7.3%
Style: Belgian Dark Ale
From one of the only Belgian breweries that
uses American hops. The nose on this was spicy and a lot lighter than expected.
Peppery and mild with a balanced darker fruit flavor. Very easy drinking. The
carbonation was light and refreshing with a solid clean finish. The La Rulles
was the unanimous pick of the night.
St. Bernardus Christmas Ale, $12.29
ABV: 10%
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Sweet banana nose and taste. Sticky and
pruney, packed with dark fruity esters and clove, and a layered complexity that
St Bernardus beers are known for. A spicier, dressed up version of the St.
Bernardus Abt 12. The perfect carbonation for a smooth and creamy beer gives it
a super light mouth feel. It drinks incredibly easily for such a big beer.
Scaldis Noel, $ 16.99
ABV: 12%
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Pours a beautiful deep reddish-brown. The
nose is full of sweet, malty, dark fruits. Tastes of ripe fruit, sweet malts,
and figs. This one definitely has a warm, alcohol presence. Sweet, Belgian
candi sugar makes it more of a dessert beer.
Corsendonk Christmas Ale, $8.69
ABV:
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Dry
and spicy with dark fruits and roasted malts. This one drinks more like a brown
ale with some citrusy notes.
Delirium Red, $ 11.29
ABV: 8%
Style: Fruit beer
Described as a Belgian jolly rancher and a
fruit lambic gone wrong. It pours a deep red color and smells like cherry cough
syrup. The taste is just as artificial as the nose. A cloyingly sweet and
concentrated syrup flavor.
Delirium Noel, $ 12.49
ABV: 10%
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
The perfect beer for a cold night spent by
the fireplace. Fruity and spicy nose. It has notes of caramel, breadiness, and
dark fruits. A boozy, bitter finish leaves a little bit of burn.
Petrus Winter Ale, $9.49
ABV: 9%
Style: Belgian Strong Dark ale
Another clovey, dark fruit beer. Sweet and
a little syrupy, tastes of figs, plums, and caramel.
