Santa's Little Helper 2010 - Mikkeller ApS

Trueant1

Minnesota

4.78/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Dark, almost black with an off white pancake batter head!
Smells very mellow. Hearty black bread with molassis.
The taste is off the charts! 100 points! Need I say more? Sweet molassis, malty, smokey, vanilla, peppermints, cinnamon, and many many more flavors! Mild bitterness. Mouthfeel is wet and a bit sticky. Drinkability is ...hmmm... I want another and another sip! Awsome brew , almost perfection in the taste, mouthfeel and balance.
I am running to the store tomorrow to buy more to age!

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2010 06:19:38 | More by Trueant1

DarthKostrizer

California

3.75/5  rDev -8.5%

05-10-2013 01:37:34 | More by DarthKostrizer

ScottStache

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -2.4%

02-08-2013 23:16:18 | More by ScottStache

DmanGTR

New York

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

01-29-2013 18:16:10 | More by DmanGTR

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.4/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 375mL bottle into a Koningshoeven chalice. Brewed and bottled at De Proef. Stamped 7481108. "Belgian Ale Brewed with Spices, Aged in Rum Barrels."

A: A finger of brownish head that would look more at home on a stout. The beer is dark, murky brown and immune to light.

S: Sharp fruit is a little off -- it's sour or fermented, an impression heightened by the general booziness of the beer. It smells of old wine and dead yeast, but is somehow still pleasant. Fingernail polish finish hurts the rating.

T/M: Interesting. Green apple, Christmas-y spice, noticeable alcohol, and a surprisingly pleasant, sweet finish that could well be rum. Still, I think this might be a little past its prime, as the mouthfeel is thin and uncompelling. It definitely improves as it warms, becoming more fruity and less obviously strong (although astringent polish is still detectable...)

O: I enjoyed it, but it was overpriced ($15) and probably over-old. I would not recommend it, but I still love Mikkeller and think this is a pretty nice Christmas ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 04:04:50 | More by AgentMunky

Lebby

4/5  rDev -2.4%

01-06-2013 05:33:26 | More by Lebby

jdmandel

California

4.75/5  rDev +15.9%

12-29-2012 00:39:09 | More by jdmandel

Hex92

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

just opened my 2010 Santas Little Helper today....Dec 2012. as usual i didn't rate my first one of these, that i drank 2 years ago, but this is very nice after aging for a couple of years.

A-nice big head, very dark, nice lacing
s- maybe a hint of bourbon? I dunno, my snifffer isn't working great tonight.
t-chocolate, booze, and strong dark ale goodness
m- its odd that a beer that has so much head seems kinda flat when you drink. it coats the mouth preety good, i wish it was a bit more syrupy.
o- tasty. I would like to try other vintages of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 06:02:21 | More by Hex92

DruC4

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +15.9%

12-18-2012 00:52:48 | More by DruC4

jklecko2

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev +15.9%

10-30-2012 19:19:50 | More by jklecko2

t0rin0

California

2.25/5  rDev -45.1%

10-29-2012 01:45:29 | More by t0rin0

Jmac91

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.4%

08-04-2012 13:03:34 | More by Jmac91

trail77

British Columbia (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +15.9%

06-06-2012 03:45:40 | More by trail77

JayQue

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I've had this one for quite a while. Poured from a 750 ml corked and caged bottle into my Chimay goblet. Small delicately bubbly head that fades quickly. A light covering of the top of the glass stays for a long time. Murky dark brown color.

Smell is fairly subdued malts,dark fruit and a little nutmeg and Christmas spices. Glad Mikkeller resisted the urge to make this a Christmas potpouree.

Taste is good. Rich malty dark fruit backbone with a hint of Christmas spices.

Mouthfeel is great. Rich, smooth, a hint of alcohol and a little sweet.

A good sipping beer. I highly reccommed it.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 23:51:17 | More by JayQue

brystmar

New York

4.18/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Finally got around to opening this bad boy. Thanks to whartontallboy for the extra!

Brown body with red hues produces tons of head. Excellent lace; gorgeous! Spicy aroma with tons of malt. A little roasty with booze notes too.

Sweet malts and spices. Not overly spicy which is nice. Aged boozy character adds an extra dimension of tastiness. Really good.

Super creamy body was unexpected, yet very much appreciated. This is drinking quite well right now, wish I had another bottle.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 00:16:33 | More by brystmar

Texasfan549

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

04-26-2012 00:53:45 | More by Texasfan549

brez8791

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.4%

04-20-2012 02:01:51 | More by brez8791

lownote

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours with just the right amount of head with a dark but not pitch black. The taste is strong by not alcoholic with hints of a citrusy sour. The mouthfeel is carbonated but not too lively. There is not a strong smell either way. A delicious beer even when not in season.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 23:02:38 | More by lownote

phattman073

Texas

4/5  rDev -2.4%

01-15-2012 02:23:26 | More by phattman073

LinusBohman

Sweden

3/5  rDev -26.8%

01-11-2012 20:04:01 | More by LinusBohman

JRed

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Black in body with cinnamon head that stays. Aroma of dark fruit, cinnamon, cocoa. Tastes of light plums and other dark fruit, cinnamon, some tang, spice. Medium bodied with light carbonation. A slight cloying mouthfeel and an undetectable ABV. Smooth and beautiful.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 02:11:45 | More by JRed

duff247

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -14.6%

12-18-2011 06:37:19 | More by duff247

whatthehull

California

4.05/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tulip

A - very pretty blood red/sienna, two finger head with serious retention and sticky lacing. Pretty thick when poured

S - sweet, bready, gingerbread cookies, pecan pie, funk, sour like yeast and sweet yeast, cinnamon, some dark fruit wine notes, citrus rind, pine, fresh cut branches and some earth

T - Very sweet, slightly sour, fall/winter spices ( nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper?, orange peel), Dark dried sweet fruits, pine, booze, toasted dark malts, citrusy hop, funky Belgian yeast, ginger, wood, potpourri and lots of crazy earth

M - full bodied, medium complexity, balanced, low acidity and long finish

D - huge ale, biggest "holiday" ale I have had in a while. Still very warming and refreshing. Reminds you of cold winter nights with a roaring fire in the background

Final thought - at $14 a pop and only 11% abv, this is worth 2 bottles if you like Belgian strong/winter warmer. Drink one to gauge and age one to praise

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 11:02:19 | More by whatthehull

Ralphs66

New York

5/5  rDev +22%

12-15-2011 00:52:40 | More by Ralphs66

superspak

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml cork and caged bottle into tulip glass. Pours extremely dark brown color with a nice 2 finger dense tan head with fantastic retention that reduces to a thick cap that lasts. Nice thick lacing clings to the glass as well. Aromas of plums, dark fruit skin, molasses, roasted malt, candi sugar, citrus peel, nutmeg, light chocolate, and yeasty spices. Very nice and pleasant aromas with nice balance. More on the interesting side of things as well. Taste of big plum, dark fruit, caramel, toasted malt, chocolate, molasses, citrus, nutmeg, and light yeast spices. No bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of molasses, dark fruit skins, chocolate, and roasted malt. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a very silky, creamy, and smooth mouthfeel that goes down way too easily for being almost 11%. Alcohol is practically invisible with only a slight warming well after the finish. Overall, this is an incredible Belgian strong dark ale. Fantastic balance and dangerously drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2011 03:59:33 | More by superspak