Rude Elf's Reserve (formerly Rudolph's Reserve) - Bethlehem Brew Works

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

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

A bottle from the brewery. ABV not listed on the label. Initially from fridge with a cloudy yeasty peach colour, soap bubble head. Good kitchen spice cabinet aroma. Initially creamy good medium mouthfeel, and spices refreshed.Like a good Begium, yet hint of metallic finish. As glass warmed, mouthfeel felt thinner and spices Ok but not delicious, more like an American Winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2006 04:02:23 | More by northyorksammy

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The appearance is quite nice with a slightly hazy, deep chestnut body that displays crimson highlights topped by a short and creamy light tan head. The head drops shortly but maintains a nice collar and leaves some spotty lace throughout the glass. The nose is sweet and fruity with the clove standing out amongst the various spices. Upon further investigation the cinnamon and nutmeg are also notable. The full body is enhanced by a very fine carbonation that's at first gently crisp on the tongue, but becomes creamy as it warms across the palate. The flavor is quite rich and extravagant. It's impressively vivid with a sweet, juicy malt that's drenched in soft, swirling spice flavors. The bitterness is well restrained for obvious reasons. The complexity of the spicing is astounding, with each of the many spices appearing seperately as you progress through the serving. With one sip the nutmeg may appear clear as day, but on the next it's all about cinnamon. I'm honestly not sure about the sweet gale, but the coriander/clove seem to have a constant presence. If you hold it in your mouth for long enough you may be able to note several of the spices in a row; and yet they never overpower the palate. Exceptional, and very well balanced! As might be expected, the finish is dry with a variety of lingering spices and a light touch of softly fruity and gently caramelish malt. The alcohol is completely cloaked, which is surprising for a beer of 9.5%! Quite impressive! I've never tasted a beer that can take so much spice and wrap it up so nicely in one small package. Of course, it is still limited in it's drinkability as the bold spicing will tend to build on the palate beyond one glass - but it makes an exceptional after-dinner drink or nightcap! This is one to enjoy from a brandy snifter on a cold night in front of the fireplace with a well-worn leather-bound copy of Dicken's.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2003 17:58:28 | More by NeroFiddled

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tawny, auburn hue, under a thick slab of cocoa foam. Quite nice looking.

Aroma: spice aplenty. Nutmeg and cinnamon, coriander and clove, probably more...heck, I bet they're listed on the label. Soft and sensuous, tickling the nose with intriquing aromatics. Double nice.

Taste: Bold, hoppy feel blasts into the mouth, spreads fresh, fierce flavor before fading back slowly. Spices remain in the fore of the flavor, sip after sip, hovering above a very full-bodied and complex ale. 9.5%? It's starting to creep up there...
yup, it's making an impression. Not halfway into the bomber. I know I've got a wicked ride yet to go...

Very nice spiced ale, this. Yummy yummers. wish I'd shared it with someone, though...such a chore to tackle on one's own...delicious, but damned daunting.

Spiced beer is good. Happy spiced elf-based beery Christmas-y, blah, blah, blah...

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2006 09:11:12 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

3.73/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a ruby red color with a thick frothy offwhite head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is great! It has a nice malty scent that boasts of pale and crystal malts along with a solid spice content. This beer has multiple spices that really add some character to the aroma. The Belgian yeast esters lend a hand as well. The taste is decent. It has a solid malt flavor, but the spices really take away from the overall enjoyment. It's just got too much spice. The mouthfeel is decent as well. It's a full bodied beer with good carbonation. This is a decent winter brew, but they really need to back the spice content down a bit.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2007 01:31:15 | More by WesWes

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Fruity aromas of banana and peach waft from my glass as I pour this beer. The beer is a clear ruby color when held up to the light. It is topped by a frothy amber tan head. As I go in for a deeper sniff I get spicy notes of clove, allspice and cola. The aroma is spicily sweet. The taste is lightly sweet up front with fruity notes of juicy fruit, bananas and other tropical fruits. The finish is spicy with notes of cola, nutmeg, clove.

This beer is quite interesting, and though light in the body, is still quite rich and appropriate for a winter brew. I am definitely enjoying this beer, the spices are at just about the right level, they enhance the fruity character of this beer as well as adding a rich spice cake like note to it. Thanks to PisskeyNights for the opportunity to try this beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2005 05:06:58 | More by Gueuzedude

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Rude elf pours out as a reddish orange color. The head is a creamy white color with a decent lacing. The smell is of Christmas spices and berries, some Belgian yeast and some booze. The taste has some strong cinnamon there with a boozey Belgian yeast flavor and some berries in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel is a little bubbly and dry. Overall it's a pretty good holiday brew. I enjoy it during the season.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2011 21:37:43 | More by Knapp85

Gavage

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: pours a clear copper color with a thick 3" off-white head. Spotty lacing develops.

Smell: huge amounts of spice like nutmeg, coriander, and allspice.

Taste: nice malty backbone as nut bread and yeast tones are nicely balanced with a strong spiciness of nutmeg, allspice, and coriander. Decent bitterness and soft alcohol rounds it out.

Mouthfeel: the start is smooth with a hint of crispness, and finishes smooth with a long spicy bread aftertaste. Medium to heavy in body.

Drinkability: Decent for a spicy brew, but one bottle is enough for a session. A definite must try for flavor, but you will want to try a different beer after the bottle is empty.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2006 00:52:12 | More by Gavage

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A 10 oz chalice served at the Allentown Brew Works.

A: The ale is admirably dark, befitting the style. Unlike a dubbel or quad though, this ale lacks haziness. While the ale is dark, it is clear that there is no sediment to muck up the works. There was little head on the pour but, on tasting, the ample carbonation is evident.

S: The nose is Belgian, full of flavor and very festive. Dark candi sugars create a semi-sweet taste that is bolstered by raisins and spices.

T: My first thought was that this is a dubbel on performance enhancers. The candi sugars are robust and sweet, driving the entire taste. The yeast adds dark alefruit flavors, raisins and dates. A spice profile of cinnamon and nutmeg also adds depth to the flavor. The booze quotient of the ale is off the charts, it is hot from the get go and never settles down. Seriously, this one knocked me out.

M: The mouthfeel is hot, full of alcohol strength that stands up to the holiday spice profile. This was a nice beer for an unseasonably cold March afternoon.

D: One chalice was enough for me. The flavor profile is enjoyable but the booze really gets in the way.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2008 01:35:34 | More by akorsak

tempest

Pennsylvania

2.9/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On-tap at the Allentown Brew Works. Maybe it was brewed in Allentown, but its the same beer. Served in a goblet it appears a dark brown.

This beer has a lot of good flavors, but frankly it's a mess. They don't work. Nutmeg and cinnamon compete with dried cherries and a strong clove taste. This beer would be okay without the clove phenols, but they really throw a wrench into the works. For the strength, the body is otherwise drinkable, but I won't be returning to this beer. No thanks.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2008 20:09:14 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Nice bright amber body with a thin cream head leavs specks of scattered lacing, not bad. Aroma: Ginger, nutmeg with copious amounts of citrus toned hops mild alcohol but well hiddent tone thrown in there. Much more complex than your average Xmas inspired spiced strong ale, thanks to francisweizen for the sample. Taste: Mmm... Christmas in July... well almost. Loads of spices a bit weird and non beer like but the tasty caramel malts and mellowed alcohol come together nicely along with a decent hop bitterness to form one nice brew. Mouthfeel: Fluffy medium bodied evenly carbonated no complaints in this department. Drinkability: Wow, great and enjoyed a nice sized sample but I couldn't session with this one too much going on.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2004 19:28:18 | More by WVbeergeek

Billolick

New York

4.22/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ouncer sampled, pours orange amber, clear with an off white head and leaving just so so lacing. Nose here is initially just of alcohol, then some warm spicing comes along. This is a large, bold, spicy, strong brew. Lots of Belgian yeasty phenolics and bubblegum notes, yum, did I mention the warming alcoholic sensations?, the whiskey notes? The vanilla and coconut flavors? double yum. This is a fine, complex and very BA worthy brew, nice job BBC. Go and get some of this stuff! A few bottles on Christmas eve and I'll be seeing Santa's sled floating over my house...

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2005 23:05:42 | More by Billolick

ppoitras

Massachusetts

2.9/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle from BeerBeing as part of UTBIF. Thanks for the opportunity.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 3/4" beige head above the clear copper brew. Dense head lasts well, with lots of doughy lacing everywhere. Aroma is spiced so much, it reminds me of those specialty ginger beers that kick your taste buds, not usually what I'm looking for in a beer. Taste starts with over the top spicing, lets a bit of the bready malt flavor through for a moment, and then the spices take over again. I know this is advertised as a spiced brew, but this is just doesn't leave enough room for the beer flavors to come through. Glad I tried it, won't be back.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2006 02:04:44 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

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

Appears a reddish toned amber with a 1 finger off white head that retains nicely. Scattered lacing is left around the glass.
Smell is of cinnamon, sweet malt, nutmeg, coriander, and a blast of Belgian yeast making for an interesting one.
Taste is of the same aromas with a Belgian backbone and brown sugar.
Mouthfeel is sugary and medium bodied with a slightly fizzy ending reminding me of a rum coated ginger snap cookie.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2005 00:40:07 | More by weeare138

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Brilliant orange color. Thin beige head receded to a thin film rather quickly. This beer has spice written all over it. Just a plethora of spices for the nose to detect. Orange peel, cinamon, nutmeg and allspice come to mind for me. The taste is almost overwhelming at first. The spices hit pretty hard, but there is some substance beneath. And I am not averse to heavily spiced beers as long as it agrees with my palate. I pick up almost more of a dry corriander or marjoram like spiciness on the tongue.....very herbal. The Belgian-like biscuit malt and alcohol mingle together nicely to add depth. Some slight bitter and dry properties linger after the sip and beg another of you. At 9% a/v, this is very drinkable and tasty.

Hats off to Davo for this treat. What a surprise.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2003 20:40:18 | More by Bighuge

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.45/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: Sampled at the Bethlehem Brew Works.

Appearance: Dark amber-orange ruby body with a yellow-white head that fizzles splurts and spots a little but manages to cling on to the surface throughout, at least on draft.

Nose: Immensely complex nose, everything and his Uncle is in here, lots of spices but if you take time and care you can discern and at least try to unravel them. Lots of fruit too, spiceeee oranges especially. Unbelievable nose.

Taste: It does exactly what the nose says. Lots of warming spices set against Belgian malts and Candy Sugar, a little Digestive biscuit lays the base nicely. Sweet yet not cloying, spicy but not a mess, rather a nice complex mélange of traditional spices interlaced with cloves and lots of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Mouthfeel: Warming and lovable, it caresses the oral cavity and massages all the senses, drink this one warm to get the best from the nose, taste and mouthfeel. Utterly impressive on draft.

Drinkability: At 9.5% this one drinks well below its specified strength. Bloody dangerous and a few of these on Xmas Eve could well mean that you may not wake until Boxing Day. No problems with Drinkability.

Overall: All the aspects of a truly Victorian Christmas wrapped into a beer. It immediately reminded me of a souped up Xmas version of the Pumpkin Ale, which I liked. Definitely a winner from BBW, I loved the Rudolph’s Reserve, oh I’m sorry, I mean Rude Elf’s Reserve…..

Also available from behind the Bar in Bottles I noticed during my latest visit here, I am not sure if that “W” brewery just bottle this, or brew and bottle, and for that matter whether the Draft version is made at BBW or not, but the label on the bottled version is rather cool and pokes fun at the stupid lame copyright laws in the US….how the f**k can someone lay claim to copyrighting Rudolph!?!?

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2005 00:07:37 | More by TheLongBeachBum

francisweizen

Australia

4.28/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

STRONG. This spicy, sugary, monstrosity of a beer is a real treat, and a sight to behold. This poured a dark, dark blood red, with almost no head to be talked about. This smells very strongly of belgian candy sugar, spices, and fruity esters. Man, oh man is this some strong brew. A good brew to sip slowly and leisurely at night, when I had it in that setting it was great! When i poured it in a 20oz pint glass after a hard day at school and work and paired it with my lunch, it was sub-par for that purpose. but as it is this is an incredible brew. The mouthfeel is extremely full and the drinkability may be lacking but this brew rules right now at the BBW. this and a double on tap at the same time...we are lucky people! This is MUCH better on tap directly from BBW in a growler than it is in bottles, which are contract brewed at Wyerbacher brewery in PA under the supervision of Mr. Fegley himself. A six pack and a growler cost about the same, so if you are going to pick some up, go for a growler.
I have some bottles for trade, and some aging right now, so drop me a line if you want to sample this hardcore beverage!!!!!
boo-yah!!!
Cheers!,
F.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2003 08:03:22 | More by francisweizen

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle. On multiple occasions.

Poured a dark and cloudy brown color with a smaller sized off white head. Aromas of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves (and I'm sure I'm missing a couple other spices in there), and on the fruity side. Closely reminded me of a stick of gum that's been chewed on for a while. Tastes of the same. Spices are there in the tastes but not overpowering. Tastes like a spiced cake of some sort. Alcohol content well hidden. Lacing left on the glass.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2008 13:33:47 | More by hopdog

Vancer

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Quite a nice brew! Only drawback was that I had this out on the deck in 90 degree temps! I thought it was kicking my arse, and I see on BA that it’s a 9.5% abv !! But it would be quite a winter brew.

Great beer – amber / brown w/a foamy tan head, nice lacing too! Nutmeg and clove in the aroma, and just power packed with winter spices along with a strong backbone of Belgium yeast and sugar cane. Very full bodied, strong and sturdy. Yup, would luv these on a snowy day – but still very nice by the pool (gotta be in the shade).

Another great one from Beerbeing!.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2006 13:52:19 | More by Vancer

oline73

Maryland

3.45/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a standard pint glass. I'm pretty sure this is a 2010 bottle.

Appearance: Pours a mostly clear red amber with a finger of off white head. The head fades to a layer on top of the glass.

Smell: Very sweet and malty with some Belgian spice and fruity cherry like notes. I'm picking up some brown sugar and spices as well.

Taste: Sweet and a bit syrupy. Some spices and cherry like fruit notes along with lots of sweet malt. The finish is sweet with some spices. Smooth.

Mouthfeel: The body is a bit syrupy with smooth carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: This is a solid beer. I would have liked the taste to be a bit more refined, but I still enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 03:02:57 | More by oline73

rfgetz

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark amber, very clear, cap of small off-white head, decent lacing. Scent is filled with all sorts of seasonal whiffs... cinamon, nutmeg, ginger, brown sugar, vanilla, grahmn cracker... touches of citrus and watery fruit, with a presence of crusty dark bread and belgian yeasts in the background. Taste brings the spice profile to the front with notes of fruit lingering with brown sugar sweetness and bready yeasts, faint booze notes in the back end. Medium bodied, perfectly carbonated. A true suprise and one of the better holiday seasonals in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 15:03:58 | More by rfgetz

flexabull

California

3.65/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle is really ridiculous looking. Label could use a redesign... an elf looking right at me, with earrings, a big nose, and sticking his tounge out? Looks really amature hour to me.

Anyways, on to the beer. The brew is a nice clear dark amber color with a good looking head, and nice carbonation noted.

Aromas reek of nutmeg. I notice it from foot away while pouring the beer. When I stick my nose really close, I notice more nutmeg, and a very distinct bubble gum like smell. Kind of odd... not sure if I like it.

Flavors are interesting. Taste is clean up front, settles in with some alcohol notes, and then finishes with the spices... nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and coriander are all noticed, but none are too overpowering.

Mouthfeel is lighter than I expected, but still decent.

You certainly can't judge a beer by it's label. This is pretty good. I don't think I could sit around and drink more than one of these. But this one bottle was definitely interesting and enjoyable enough.

Thanks for sending this aprilluvsbeer!

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2007 05:13:20 | More by flexabull

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A 12 ounce bottle poured into a nonic pint glass. The ale appears a hazed deep chestnut color with about a finger of tan head. Nose and flavor are dominated by spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, spicy pepper, and a touch of clove, hints of banana, figs, and caramel. Maybe a notch better than medium bodied and amply carbonated. A tad heavy on the spice, but if you dig that type of thing, certainly check this one out.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2009 14:59:15 | More by ClockworkOrange

blitheringidiot

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark orange russet hues containing into a Hennepin tulip with a cake like ½” head cap that quickly settles to a frothy wafer thin coating.

Cornucopia of aromas here. A nose like a spice cake. I think a spicerack fell in beer again. Nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, clove and fruity aromatic bouquet of cherry vanilla ice cream. This is dessert in a glass.

First swigs: Dry biscuit and spice wafer. Many aromatic spices are reflected in the flavor. Dark cake and cocoa. Nutmeg is so pronounced it’s as if it was poured in. Notes of cherry and cinnamon and licorice with a kiss of brandy towards the end.

Smooth medium body with a perfect carbonation and feel that never gets cloying. Quite drinkable and enjoyable. A few of these could easily go down the gullet.

Last Swigs: Cherry bunt cake in a glass. Reminds me of Anchor’s OSA 2003.
9.5% is completely hidden 100%. Quite simply an impressive brew with massive spice quality. BBW makes pleasant artesian offerings. Too bad there are only a few bottles here or another would go back tonite. Special thanks to fellow BA Stingo for the trade for this Winter brew, my favorite of the year thus far.

Beer is good. Happy regional beering.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2005 10:57:26 | More by blitheringidiot

yourefragile

District of Columbia

3.68/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2006/07 12 oz bottle

A: Pours a cloudy, dark amber/reddish color with a thick off white head that quickly dissipates with little lacing.
S: Very strong and spicy, nutmeg, cinnamon, a little vanilla, some alcohol coming through too.
T: This brew isn't as spicy as it was a year ago, as the flavor and the alcohol have mellowed out a lot. I enjoy this more a year later as I thought it had a little too much going on when it was fresh and the alcohol was a little too potent.
M: Medium body, high carbonation and very smooth (much more so than I remembered). Much smoother and creamier than I remembered.
D: Much better than it was a year ago, before you knew you were drinking a 9% abv and it has now mellowed out nicely. However, this is still very spicy and sweet and difficult to drink more than one at a time. I also had the 2007 on tap a few times, though I haven't reviewed it, I personally prefer the 2006 (fresh or aged) more so.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2008 03:41:46 | More by yourefragile

Phatz

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

WOW! Now this is a seasonal beer - if ever I have had one. It is *loaded up* with spices and just shy of the threshold that would be considered cloying (quite close though) but it is full of fun intense flavors making it a pleasure to analyze. mmm.

Appearance: Pours and amber orange golden copper color with a big beige head.

Smell: What a nose full. My – goodness. This is the ’05 winter version and still it is packed with nutmeg and cinnamon, coriander, clove, allspice, sweet caramel malts and fruity esters. It is extremely enticing.

Taste: The taste follows the nose with a sweetness (caramel malt) that acts as a binding thread holding together the exorbitant flavors of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel and a slight hint of booze. It has a perfect dry finish as well.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and well carbonated, crisp and dry in the finish.

Drinkability: I really enjoyed this beer. I did share it with others. Still, I am certain one will make and enjoyable spiced beer sipper. But I would not want to drink it all evening long. Make this a desert beer and you’ll be doing just fine.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2006 20:27:45 | More by Phatz