Affligem Noël - Brouwerij De Smedt / Brouwerij Affligem

Jason

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750ml conditioned bottle, 2002 vintage.

Dark mahogany brown color, two fingered off-white head that is very thick and creamy. Aroma of musty cork and vinous undertones with bigger aromas of chocolate and tropical fruit as it warms up. Flavor is a brilliantly evenhanded mix of caramel, dates, raisins, chocolate bitter orange, and spiciness. A good amount of yeast as well let alone the big warming alcohol that holds faint solvent and tropical fruit in the back. A full bodied and rounded brew, a dollop of residual sweetness. Creamy on the tongue. A sipping brew to have with some holiday dessert, one of the many winter seasonals that should be on your list.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2002 13:44:44 | More by Jason

ckeegan04

Texas

4/5  rDev -2.4%

05-19-2013 23:20:25 | More by ckeegan04

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle into signature chalice, bottled on 8/16/2012. Pours slightly cloudy ruby red color with a 1 finger fluffy light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings on the glass, with some moderate streaming carbonation retaining the head. Aromas of raisin, apple, caramel, molasses, nutmeg, cinnamon, toast, candi sugar, light clove, bread, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of deep malt with yeast esters and spices. Taste of raisin, apple, caramel, molasses, nutmeg, cinnamon, toast, light clove, candi sugar, toffee, pepper, bread, and yeast earthiness. Lingering notes of light fruits, caramel, molasses, nutmeg, cinnamon, toast, candi sugar, light clove, toffee, bread, pepper, and earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice balance and complexity of malt flavors with fruity yeast esters and spicing; with a great malt/spiciness balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium-high carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a fairly slick and moderately prickly mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent spiced Belgian strong ale! Great balance and complexity of malt, yeast esters, and spices; and very smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 04:16:28 | More by superspak

ejeffer11

New York

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

05-17-2013 01:05:21 | More by ejeffer11

Beerswag

California

3.75/5  rDev -8.5%

05-13-2013 22:21:09 | More by Beerswag

RobertJBeer

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.4%

05-13-2013 20:36:14 | More by RobertJBeer

UnoMasBelgian

California

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%

04-27-2013 22:24:35 | More by UnoMasBelgian

randylangford

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

04-26-2013 23:29:47 | More by randylangford

bacasnax

Florida

4/5  rDev -2.4%

03-31-2013 23:13:25 | More by bacasnax

ggourde

Missouri

3.89/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Murky chocolate brown with creamy head, but no Belgian Lace. Dried fruit- raisins dominate while black licorice comes out. Taste of spices and dried fruit (plums and raisins). A bit sharp- lots of carbonation. Nice alcohol warming. A good winter beer, perhaps with a little more conditioning the sharpness will mellow out.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 05:04:32 | More by ggourde

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.44/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

From the corked, caged 750 ml. bottle - 2011 batch. Marked 12-229-13. Sampled on 3/22/13.

So I am drinking a Christmas ale two days into spring but the aging does wonders. The pour is dark brown-amber with good clarity and a relatively long-lasting beige head.

The nose is alive with Belgian sugars, sweet toasted malts, molasses, and a slight hop note.

The body is medium to bold with a little astringency but still pleasant.

The flavor is quite sweet thanks to the malts and Belgian sugars mentioned earlier. Molasses can be tasted too. Not much in the way of spices but the sweetness makes up for that. Low to moderate hop bitterness lingering on the tail end. Easy to drink even at 9% ABV.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 00:56:31 | More by puboflyons

draftpunk

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -26.8%

03-22-2013 23:12:51 | More by draftpunk

BGsWo22

New York

2/5  rDev -51.2%

03-20-2013 23:59:31 | More by BGsWo22

Travcofarms

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -26.8%

03-14-2013 15:24:33 | More by Travcofarms

habaceeba

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

03-12-2013 02:23:58 | More by habaceeba

DrGonzoDDS

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

03-10-2013 08:01:21 | More by DrGonzoDDS

bsopko

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%

03-01-2013 20:34:03 | More by bsopko

Danielr26

Michigan

4/5  rDev -2.4%

02-18-2013 16:07:14 | More by Danielr26

Ryanm1

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%

02-13-2013 02:14:24 | More by Ryanm1

amalahow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -8.5%

02-09-2013 14:01:58 | More by amalahow

Mando603

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.5%

02-07-2013 13:52:37 | More by Mando603

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.88/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750mL bottle into a Koningshoeven chalice. Stamped 12 229 13 10:32 2291.

A: Some generous head and sparkling effervescence enliven a gorgeous red-clear beer. Very

S: It smells like cherry cough syrup, but in a good way. Sweet, nectary, and borderline cloying.

T/M: Very surprising! Not what I expected. It's light, spicy, grainy, and interesting. Almost like a tripel infused with spiced honey and heavy fruit juice. The finish is again reminiscent of medicinal cherries, and aftertaste is heavy/sweet. Starts better than it ends.

O: This is a very good Christmas ale, but not overly compelling. I would have again, and somewhat recommend, but there are better alternatives out there.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 07:03:32 | More by AgentMunky

eulerthegrape

California

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%

02-03-2013 21:10:47 | More by eulerthegrape

mendvicdog

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -8.5%

02-03-2013 15:29:03 | More by mendvicdog

ShippinUpToBoston

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%

01-29-2013 23:55:54 | More by ShippinUpToBoston