Merry Christmas to all of my readers! In honor of today, I have selected one of the most well known Christmas beers in the world.
St. Bernadus Christmas Ale 2014. Brouweij St. Bernadus NV. Trappistenweg 23 Watou, Belgium. Quadrupel Ale 10% ABV.
Served semi-chilled from a bomber and poured into an oversized goblet. Pours a dark brown color with a two finger white foam head that disappears very quickly (I had to keep pouring to get a picture with a head on it!) Smells are of dark fruits, mostly raisin and fig, as well as sweet sugars and yeast. Carbonation is moderate with a medium to light body. I was expecting this beer to be much heavier than it actually was. I think the surprising consistency enhanced my perception of this beer. Taste was like the smell. Dark fruits and sweet sugars shine through, and a nice bready malt is present. There are some seasonal spices on the end, but not much of an aftertaste other than sweet and warming.
If you couldn't tell already, this beer was nothing like I expected. Hands down the easiest drinking beer over 10% I have encountered (and a Christmas quad at that!) If you have the opportunity to find this beer, please purchase it. This is a very difficult to find beer and can actually be aged for 15 years. I had mine fresh but failed to pick up a second bottle (not cheap either...) However, if split with friends or enjoyed on your own, it promises to be a great winter seasonal.
93/100
$15/bomber
Beer Advocate
St. Bernadus Christmas Ale 2014. Brouweij St. Bernadus NV. Trappistenweg 23 Watou, Belgium. Quadrupel Ale 10% ABV.
Served semi-chilled from a bomber and poured into an oversized goblet. Pours a dark brown color with a two finger white foam head that disappears very quickly (I had to keep pouring to get a picture with a head on it!) Smells are of dark fruits, mostly raisin and fig, as well as sweet sugars and yeast. Carbonation is moderate with a medium to light body. I was expecting this beer to be much heavier than it actually was. I think the surprising consistency enhanced my perception of this beer. Taste was like the smell. Dark fruits and sweet sugars shine through, and a nice bready malt is present. There are some seasonal spices on the end, but not much of an aftertaste other than sweet and warming.
If you couldn't tell already, this beer was nothing like I expected. Hands down the easiest drinking beer over 10% I have encountered (and a Christmas quad at that!) If you have the opportunity to find this beer, please purchase it. This is a very difficult to find beer and can actually be aged for 15 years. I had mine fresh but failed to pick up a second bottle (not cheap either...) However, if split with friends or enjoyed on your own, it promises to be a great winter seasonal.
93/100
$15/bomber
Beer Advocate
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