On the Seventh Day of Beermas…….
Brewed By: De Struise Brouwers
ABV: 10%
Style: Belgian X-mas Ale brewed with spices
Pours a dark copper color with a frothy off white head that settles a bit but doesn’t disappear. When held to the light this beer takes on a reddish hue with golden highlights.
Picking up Belgian yeast, bread, dark fruits and some herbal notes. There is just a hint of alcohol in the aroma as well.
This is a pretty complex beer, right up front I get dark fruits, raisin and cherries followed by some herbal notes. I pick up some spices but I can’t quite pinpoint exactly what they are, they blend well with the spicy notes from the Belgian yeast. Alcohol is definitely a flavor component in this beer but it isn’t overwhelming, it does however add a nice warming sensation in the throat and chest.
Overall a flavorful Belgian Christmas ale, lots going on in this one but everything works together and in the end you have a nice little 10% sipper to enjoy on a cool winter evening. This might be a nice beer to leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve, can’t hurt getting you on the nice list.
Cheers!
Chaddah
12 days of Beermas.
Day 1: Harpoon Brewing Co. Winter Warmer
Day 2: Gritty McDuff’s Brewing Company, Christmas Ale
Day 3: Schneider Weisse, Aventinus Eisbock
Day 4: Rogue Ales, Santa’s Private Reserve Ale
Day 5: Shipyard Brewing Company, Mint Chocolate Stout
Day 7: De Struise Brouwers, Tjseeses
Day 8: Friars Brewhouse, Whoopie Pie Porter
Day 10: Ridgeway Brewing, Criminally Bad Elf
Day 11: Sierra Nevada, Celebration 2013
Day 12: Anchor Brewing, Our Special Ale