Christmas Ale - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.58/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours out a dark brown to settle a nearly mat black with a small sense of brownness to its body. Very heavy looking and an impressively tall capping to top it off of light crispy brown foam thats a bit rough and tumbled. Kinda crunchy looking at first but developes into a moderately creamy bubbleness and density as it sits. It keeps well and stretches all sorts of wonderful lacing that looks of wet powdered sugar.

Nice lofty aroma of cookie dough and spice. Crisp yet round with a full on malt tilt of breads and dark fruits. Mostly figgy, touch of raisin, perhaps some dates and molasses covering the big breadyness. Nice yeastyness to it which seems to be adding a root beerish type of hints to its dryness. Slender hops add some grassyness to its spicy complexity which included some anise, cinnamon, mint, and ginger cookies.

Flavors are bold, lasting and carry alot of what the smell leads to with its big maltyness and yeastified balance. Firm grip of dark candish malts leads right in with a nice holiday cake-like dimension of figgyness first, then dark cherry, dates, chocolate covered raisins, and then the peppy spices. Notes of root beer, anise, pepper, carrot cake, and ginger make their way in and out of the malty doughy darkness but linger mostly across its finish with a slender, delicately woven dryness of grassy hops. Pretty damn solid! Perhaps not quite a match to the Abt 12, but damn if its not close!

Feel is big, bold, and beautiful. The girth is massive in the body of this stuff. Heavy yet smooth, crunchy and crisp yet creamy with a whole lotta malts to create an exceedingly thick bread/cake-like structure of body. Not to mention the subtle details of yeasty play, dark fruity tang, perfectly intensed warmness, hoppy dryness, and spice. Which all lasts forever and a day the second it spills on to your palate.

Wow! Great stuff! No big surprise really. St. B knows how to impress and this is perfect for the holidays!

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2007 15:53:03 | More by tavernjef

bditty187

Nebraska

4.58/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Fairly reddish-coppery in hue with plenty of brown in the mix as well; attractive color (it's not too murky). Massive beige head, some three fingers worth; head retention was respectable. The bubbles, while large, were slow to fade away. A small, soapy cap lasted the entire consumption. Lacing started before I took a sip, I always liked that. Subsequent lacing was spotty, overall and somewhat disappointing. Still the appearance was respectable... aw hell, this is a good looking beer.

The nose is lightly malty, bread dough mixed with raisins and spices. Notes of brown sugar, figs, cola, and some chocolate; I even get a hint of root beer which I really like. The spiciness is quite light, so much so I can't really pull it apart. I can't tell from the bottle if this beer is spiced or if it is the work of the yeast. Maybe both as it is a Christmas beer after all. While the bouquet isn't very potent I really like what it is saying. Subtly complex and very appealing... maybe better than Abt 12! Or not... it is still an appealing nose.

Big flavors on the palate, way more than the nose indicated. Ripe fruits mixed with alcohol notes, spices (nutmeg, cloves, pepper, and allspice, coriander... to name a few) laced with caramel, molasses, and cookie dough. Pears, apples, figs, raisins, dates and a hint of something tropical... maybe cherries too (I love the fruitiness of this beer). Tongue coating maltiness, lots of caramel and dough with a kiss of chocolate which translates well into the aftertaste. I am totally impressed with the palate. I really like it, there is great depth without being overwhelming. I like the range of flavors... spicy and fruity (both dark and orchard), malty with just a kiss of booziness. This beer is hitting the spot with me... perfectly. I don't know if this beer is as great as I think but so what. I love it.

Medium in body, both light on the tongue and yet filling enough. Airy but amble... none of this makes sense on paper (computer screen) but it works like this on my palate. Moderate carbonation; I think the mouthfeel works very well with this beer. Did I mention the great aftertaste?

Damn drinkable. After tasting this I am even more pissed that I was not able to get this into Nebraska this winter. Next year, for sure! This beer really hit the spot with me. Honestly, this might be my favorite St. Bernardus beer. Damn, damn tasty. Thanks Bill!

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2008 15:36:35 | More by bditty187

GatorBeerNerd

Georgia

4.58/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Pours a dark amber brown with a couple finger thick fluffy tan head. The head clings to the side all the way down. This one could be the post card for a tasty looking beer.

S: A very subtle fruity smell along with the characteristic aroma of Belgian yeast mixed in. I like the aroma a lot, but there are a lot in this style that are more inviting.

T: One sip and you know this is a St Bernardus brew. It has the classic yeast taste that is evident in all of their line. There is a fruity taste and hints of brown sugar as well. The alcohol definitely warms in the after taste but it is hidden well in the mouth. There is no alcohol burn at all. In the end I marked this down slightly since the taste isn't very complex, but I really enjoyed this one.

M: For my tastes, this one has the perfect amount of in mouth carbonation as well as an excellent viscosity. Rolling it around in the mouth is almost as enjoyable as each swallow.

D: Even though the warming affect of this one makes you not be able to knock it back as fast as you might want, I still gave it a 5. That is because this one it is the most drinkable of this style I have ever had. For a winter warmer, it is easy to drink.

God bless St Bernardus, they make some fine beers!

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2008 01:48:13 | More by GatorBeerNerd

stevecee2003

Florida

4.58/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I have only just seen the St. Bernardus "Christmas Ale", but apparently it has been around for a while. Since 'Bernards is the highest ranked beer I've ever drank (according to Beer Advocate) I simply had to try this Christmas Ale.

APP: Pours dark and murky, but thats not a particularly bad thing. Interestingly, like other reviewers, upon each successive pour the head responds much more favorably. Don't know why, but it is interesting. Dark with mahagony colors.

SM: Like a few others I can smell the rum and mollasses. Plus it is definately spicey in a pumpkin sort of way.

Taste: I can taste how it is a very well made beer. It is special. Up to the standards that I and many others have put upon St. Bernardus. Its just that this taste is not my taste. I prefer IPA's. But certainly I can appreciate this well-crafted flavor. It's all there, cocoa, yeast, and some spice.

Drink/Overall: I'm certainly glad I tried it. Well worth a taste-testing. Certainly a high quality beer. I have had my bottle for this holiday season, and I can see how it might be one-bottle-worthy for each new holiday season.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2008 04:28:56 | More by stevecee2003

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.58/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This comes out of the tap an opaque dark brown with a thick pale tan head. Aroma is very hoppy and spicy, inviting a taste. Flavor does not disappoint - it is mainly hoppy with spicy overtones and a spicy, evergreen aftertaste. Texture is very smooth and cooling. An excellent winter brew.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2008 22:54:50 | More by Cyberkedi

corey0212

Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a murky chestnut brown, slight reddish highlights when held to light, and an absolutely gigantic foamy beige head, settles extremely slowly and leaves big clumps of lacing on the glass. Lots of spicy dark fruits on the nose, raisin, plum, fig, and big Belgian yeast aromas. Taste follows right along, some belly-warming alcohol, slightly earthy character to the beer as well. Really, I'm having a hard time imagining anything more enjoyable to sip on during a freezing snowy night, with the holidays right around the corner. Absolutely delicious.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2008 01:46:14 | More by corey0212

megahurts4

Louisiana

4.58/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

St. Bernardus Christmas Ale

Appearance: Dark red with lot of good lacing.

Smell: Nutmeg, spices, and yeast.

Taste: Nutmeg, yeast, and warm malts.

Mouthfeel: medium and smooth.

Bottom line:
This is a very good beer. It is very smooth and warming. The malts compliment the yeast and give a nice inviting drink. I just want more. I really like this beer. I'm glad I have a second bottle for aging.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2010 05:59:36 | More by megahurts4

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

4.58/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: deep copper-red color, incredible rich pillowy tan head that kept it all the way, clear
S: milder nose, rich roasted powdered malt and marmalade with earthy leather
T: full taste, no readily noticeable EtOH, just a bit in finish, incredibly smooth and rich with deep chocolate and roasted malt flavors
M: rounded with incredible depth and balance, tastes like it's been aging for years

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 16:02:35 | More by wisrarebeer

PorterHall

Rhode Island

4.55/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance:750 ml bottle with Santa Claus garbed Monk. Poured into snifter. Head resembled "proofed yeast;" as it waned it lovingly laced the glass.

Smell: The heady aroma danced with yeast and spice, leaving no doubt that I was drinking a Belgian brew.

Taste: This "living ale" was alive with carbonation; not too much, it was bubbly yet smooth. The alcohol was present but always held in check by the lusciousness of the treacle malt. Just enough hops to keep the maltiness in check.

Notes: Merry Christmas to me!

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2008 01:22:06 | More by PorterHall

Wildman23

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance- Deep mahogany color with ruby highlights.
Smell- Roasted malts, yeasty spice, mulling spice, milk chocolate, roasted nuts, candied figs, and a hint of grape soda...yes, like Welch's grape soda.
Taste- So smooth, a touch of roasty malts and dark candy sugar upfront before the wave of fruity esters roll onto the palate. Candied figs, plums, ripe red grapes and Red Delicious apple go along with a mellow milk chocolate undertone. All this fruity sweetness gets rolled up into a mellow spicy character, with hints of subtle white pepper, all spice and an almost hidden note of anise. So complex, so much going on, but not overdone or too much. a truly delicious Christmas beer.
Mouthfeel- Smooth and supple with a tiny prickle of effervescence and good lacing throughout.
Drinkability- Well, for an intensely sweet, 10% abv Noel beer, this one rolls down the throat and begs for more to follow... I guess that would be outstanding drinkability!
Overall, I am not a huge fan of the Christmas styles, but this one is a one of a kind, not to be missed, outstanding beer!!!

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2008 06:14:45 | More by Wildman23

bimish

Georgia

4.55/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured into a goblet. Clear, medium reddish brown color. Thin head disspiates quickly, minimal lacing. Average carbonation.

S - Nice malty aroma, lots of caramel notes. Spicy and fruity aromas also apparent.

T - Beautiful, well-rounded malty flavor. Very little bitterness, but malty flavors offset nicely by complex spicy and citrus flavors.

M - Good carbonation level, nice, medium-bodied mouthfeel.

D - Very drinkable for a couple of bears, but the spicy flavors would wear on your after a few.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2009 00:09:23 | More by bimish

CHickman

New York

4.55/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours hazy copper brown in color with a foamy/creamy tan head that stays around for quite some time; smells of sweet malt, dark fruit, spices and caramel. Decent lacing sticks to the glass.

Tastes of sweet malt, spices, caramel, raisin, pepper, apricot, dates or plum, grains, light hops, coriander, and some yeast. An excellent balance and mix of flavors that feels very creamy (says velvety on the bottle, which I agree with) on the tongue with practically no carbonation. Gets sweeter and the alcohol shows up as it warms, but remains well balanced and enjoyable throughout. The taste lingers after each sip and allows the fruits and mild spices to be savored and not conquered by the alcohol content, which does not detract from the overall flavor.

An excellent Christmas Ale which was one of the best I've ever had. It went down easy on it's own as well as complimenting the meal I had it with. A great beer!

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2010 04:04:56 | More by CHickman

FleeVT

Florida

4.53/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber poured into an over sized copa de vino.

A: Pours a dull, syrup mahogany with a heavy haze to it. A creamy white head that leaves beautiful lacework caps her off.

S: Sweet malts and fruits hit you first. Apply cider, raisins and currants pave the way to a backdrop dominated by yeast and a hint of alcohol. You definitely don't expect a 10 percenter based on the nose.

T: Lots of dark fruits and molasses on the palate. The alcohol cuts through that sweetness and brings with it some holiday spices, clove and vanilla. The Belgian yeasts, which in my opinion can be overdone in this style, are perfect.

M: Smooth like velvet, just as the bottle declares. There is definitely carbonation that bites into your tongue, but it works and it's smooth. Medium to heavy bodies that fades in the back as the alcohol warms the mouth.

D: All winter long. Enjoy this slowly and relish.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2008 02:41:07 | More by FleeVT

Celt44

New York

4.53/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Recommended by a local craft brew store owner - My sincere thanks to him.

Appearance is a light reddish hue - almost looks like brandy or cognac from a distance considering the head disperses fairly quickly.

Smell - Strong Malt and Sweetness up front. Citrus fruits, very slight alcohol. Very appealing

Taste - Malts and cranberries. Hops makes and appearance. Grapefruit bitterness at the end.

Mouthfeel - Beautiful - It's a Belgian!

Overall one of, if not thee best beer I've had that has called itself a "Christmas" beer or ale. Can't wait till next year!

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2009 21:34:52 | More by Celt44

asabreed

New York

4.53/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Corked and caged bottle into a Brooklyn snifter.

Appearance: Dark hazy amber brown with tons of billowing and lacing, though it settles more quickly and surprisingly than I expected for such a brew. The color's perfect for a Christmas night. Not opaque, but when light hits the dark brown and sometimes-bright amber, it's a sigh to see.

Smell: So much here. Whiffs of candied fruit, molasses, vanilla, cola, raspberry, tobacco, cherry, pepper, marmalade, tropical fruits. The list literally changes every five minutes with temperature changes. I'd love to have a bottle of this ten years from now.

Taste: A beer that makes the air through the nostrils taste better as breathing seems to naturally happen. Big candied fruits and spice, and perfect for Christmas. Licorice, molasses, caramel malts, yeast and fruit esters, tropical fruit, raspberry comes through nicely, vanilla, dates, maybe some figs. Again, age and time and a long time with this beer brings out so much. And it seriously does a lot for the air you breathe, which I love about great Belgians.

Mouthfeel: Hugely bubbly and full and effervescent and tingly and smooth and creamy. Perfection.

Drinkability: A pretty awesome beer, St. Bernardus or not. A lot to admire, which I wasn't surprised about. It's fairly expensive, but certainly worth it, especially for a beyond-great holiday brew to share with friends and family. I can't think of a better one to drink at Christmas really at this point, and I can't believe it's taken me this long to get to it.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2009 06:14:15 | More by asabreed

mjaskula

New York

4.53/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a large wine glass. Pours a dark brown with red highlights. The huge head pours thick and thins out to a film, leave a small amount of lacing.

Aroma is thick and sweet with dark fruits, and a bit of alcohol. Really inviting. The flavor is big and complex, continuing the nose. Lots of sweetness and dark fruit flavors, some spiciness. A bit of alcohol heat. There's some tartness in the finish as well.

The mouthfeel is pretty thick, but the high carbonation and dryness balance it out well.

I'm not sure what makes this a christmas beer, but it's really good regardless.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2009 01:34:02 | More by mjaskula

dnarx

Texas

4.53/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Was a nice dark orangy-brown with a tan head that left lacing up the side.

S: Smelled of dark fruits and spice

T: Slightly sweet but not overwhelmingly so, nice dark fruit flavors mingling with the spice, like a great bread pudding without the bread.

Mouthfeel was smooth with a good body.

Overall I really enjoyed this beer, I only had one because of the alcohol content and the sweetness, although subtle a little more than I prefer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2010 22:14:20 | More by dnarx

confer

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- What an amazing pour. Makes you wait for a few minutes before you can drink it though. Is a medium brown and a little cloudy, but the highlight is the huge head. (TWSS). It was like ice cream on the top of the beer, so thick and lasting so long.
S-It's got that sweet raisin/prune smell of a good quad.
T-This is nearly liquid perfection. So sweet with a small bit of heat and it seems to evaporate in your mouth.
MO- What a great beer. I'm halfway down my glass and it just keeps tasting better, the foamy head has calmed down but is still thick and creamy. Got this for Christmas from my wife and now want to go out and get some more.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 00:33:15 | More by confer

01001111

California

4.53/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Cloudy, warm, caramel amber.

S: Sweet banana bread. Very malty.

T: Much like the smell; sweet, caramel bread flavors with hints of spice, nuttiness, and dark candied fruits.

M: Full bodied and smooth with a bit of zest.

O: Quite an amazing brew. If it weren't for the sweetness I could make this a regular indulgence.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 02:16:30 | More by 01001111

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Acme in Rochester. Unfortunately it was not poured into the proper vessel (it was poured into a strange pint type glass). The appearance rating suffered- it pours a deep mahogany with lots of head and good lacing.

Smells very sweet- ALMOST like alcohol but sweeter and with a little spice. Very pleasant.

Tastes rich and malty. It is a very sweet beer with the appropriate spices- maybe a little cinnamon and nutmeg. Also a little taste of yeast.

Mouthfeel is incredible- this is an amazingly refreshing beer for how sweet it is and how alcoholic it is. It is medium to full bodied with light to medium carbonation.

This a definitely a beer worth drinking again and again if you can find it and want to shell out the bucks.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2012 01:17:29 | More by Hopdaemon39

julian89

Georgia

4.53/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this beer a long time ago, found a paper record of my review and figured I'd transfer it to BA.
Poured from bottle to snifter.

Appearance: Light opaque brown with a creamy 2 inch head and good retention. Minimal lacing.

Smell: Glorious dark fruit and sweet malt smell. Dominated by all spice, plum, pear, and apricot. Very Christmas like.

Taste: Right off the bat it has that strong Belgian sweetness. Fruit taste is prominent just like the Bernardus Triple. The spices make it a very festive beer.

Mouthfeel: Medium to thick bodied with excellent carbonation.

Drinkability: Great beer and easily drinkable. You can drink this beer pretty much year round. May be a little heavy for summer though.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 15:54:58 | More by julian89

sennin

Michigan

4.53/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a wide nosed wine glass, 2012 edition.

A: Pours a brown/dark auburn color. Apparent lacing throughout the drinking session, sticks quite well to the glass. Cloudy in appearance, foam is an off-white head color. Nothing all that special, but definitely nice to look at.

S: First whiffs gives way to a biscuit like smell. Figs, orange peel, and citrus smells appear after. Very pleasant smelling beer. Prepares you for what is to come quite well.

T: Gets sweeter as it warms, but not cloyingly so. It's actually a perfect balance between sweet and bitter. Very elegant. Alcohol is present but is not overpowering at all. Figs tastes are pleasant much like what you get in the nose, and give way to something of a dark chocolate bitterness with a slightly caramel like backbone. Excellent. Overall, the beer is very malty but it strikes a very good balance as a whole. This is a great tasting beer and only gets better as you drink it.

M: Creamy and slightly bubbly. Once again, there is a perfect balance between the two. It wraps around the tongue and the feeling stays a long time after you sip. It is a very pleasant mouthfeel and definitely one of the best that I have yet tasted.

This is the best Christmas Ale I have had. Everyone should try this beer, it doesn't matter if you like or dislike beer. This is one of those brews that could turn a Miller Lite drinker into a craft beer/Belgian ale lover over night. Get out grab a glass and raise it to the sky.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 04:13:48 | More by sennin

GbVDave

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into two St. Bernardus goblets. Thanks to HeatherAnn for the assist!

A: Pours a dark muddy brown, almost like black tea. Huge off-white head of pure cream. Lace stuck to everything!

S: Big spicey aroma. Clove/caramom, cola, juniper, pine, figs, chocolate, cherry, apples, and candied fruit.

T: Huge spicey, malty goodness. Rum soaked raisins, plums, figs, candi sugar, bread pudding, dark chocolate covered cherries, tangy apples, and a certain resinous minty flavor (juniper berry? piney hops?)

M: Like velvet...soaked in cream.

D: Alcohol barely makes its' presence felt in either aroma or taste, but boy does it ever warm the cheeks! This is friggin' Christmas in a bottle!

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2007 03:08:31 | More by GbVDave

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark mahogany body. Thick crop of beige head. It sticks around forever, though it does diminish ever so slightly creating a rocky landscape on top of the nectar. Very inviting nose. Subtly, yet very pleasing to the sense of smell. Doughy yeastiness with bready malts and cinnamon spiciness blend to give the warm aroma of comfort. Biscuity malt base serves nicely for the layers of complexity on top. Spice tones intermingle with fruits and candy. Light alcoholic tones are present to create a little warmth. Body is light-medium and the carbonation lends an ever so sublte effervescence to the whole experience. This is quite enjoyable and I'm not exactly surprised being that it comes from my favorite Belgian Brewery.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2008 05:40:58 | More by Bighuge

Wasatch

Utah

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml
Caged/Corked

Poured into my new St. Bernardus Watou Over Sized Wine Glass, the color is a nice brown/amber color, nice carbonation, nice one-finger plus foamy light tan color, with some nice small islands and sticky lacing around the edges. The nose is malyt, nice touch of yeast, figs, raisins, plums. The taste is sweet, malty/yeasty, nice tones of dark fruit. Medium body, the alcohol is hidden very well with this one. Very drinkable, another awesome brew from St. Bernardus.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2008 19:19:56 | More by Wasatch