St. Feuillien Cuvée De Noël - Brasserie St. Feuillien

prototypic

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Cuvée De Noël pours an attractive copper color. It's a little hazy, and has a wealth of yeasty particles swimming around (even after a careful pour). Backlighting reveals deep crimson highlights. A tan head caps it and stands about a finger and a half tall. It receded to a surface covering quickly, but held there for a while. Lacing was light.

The nose is pretty good, but isn't quite a standout. It lacks a little in the strength department. It does feature some caramel/toffee notes up front. It doesn't smell all that sweet though. There are some light spicy notes, mostly holiday spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg are the most apparent. Pear seems to be the only real fruity scent. Belgian yeast is there, but it's not strong. More would be good. Alcohol is blended well and doesn't come through strong at all.

The flavor is a bit better than the nose. It warrants a score bump. The festivities are kicked off with a not so sweet mix of caramel and toffee. It's alright for a malt base, but could be more substantial. Holiday spices follow. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and to a lesser extent, ginger are noted. They're not very strong, but have a nice effect. Light apple and pear and a fruity twist, but are subtle. Belgian yeast is a little more prominent and is responsible for the score bump. Alcohol is masked very well. Finishes a little spicy and yeasty.

Cuvée De Noël has a medium body that is smooth. Carbonation looks quite active, but the bubbles feel light. Drinkability is above average. I'm enjoying this beer, but there are much better choices out there if you're looking for a Belgian Strong Dark Ale, a holiday ale, or a combination of the two. For what it is, it goes down relatively easy.

I believe this is my first encounter with Brasserie St. Feuillien. It's been a good overall experience, but Cuvée De Noël could easily be improved. Bolstering the flavor would be the place to start. More fruit, spices, and malts sounds like the ticket. Not a bad Belgian holiday beer though. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 03:25:44 | More by prototypic

FreshHawk

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Murky chestnut brown with plenty of floaties. A good sized, foamy, light, bubbly, whispy, white head. Pretty good retention with some patchy lace.

S - Dominated by caramel malt and golden and dark fruit. Some spices and a touch of alcohol. Sweet, slightly spiced aroma. A touch of sweet baked bread.

T - Tons of sweet dark fruit on the tongue. I get a lot of sweet raisin and date with some fig. Caramel malt and a slight breadiness also occur. Apple and pear make a faint appearance toward the finish. Christmasy spices mid to finish sip, they don't overpower but provide a subtle kick.

M - Medium body with average or slightly below average carbonation. Quite smooth and creamy.

D - Goes down really easy. It is sweet, but not cloying. A nice touch of spice also helps.

Notes: Nice Christmas BSDA with plenty of fruitiness. A bit of spiciness, but nothing overpowering. Alcohol is very well hidden. I enjoyed this quite a bit for a Christmas beer. Didn't necessarily stand out from others, but I liked it.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2011 07:33:46 | More by FreshHawk

bubseymour

Maryland

2.28/5  rDev -43.3%
look: 1 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Poured into a pint glass.

Appearance - Sorry but this beer looks like vomit. Very hazy orange brown in color with lots of active carbonation and yeast particles moving throughout. Actually kinda scary looking to drink...looks like a mad scientist elixir or something

Smell - like a strong Belgian Ale

Taste - heavy, sweet and spices with a definite alcohol burn.

Mouthfeel - warm and creamy

Drinkability - high alcohol and spicy. A definite winter time sipper

Overall - A dark Belgian Ale probably worth sampling but not one I cared for at all. The appearance really bothers me though with that yeast floating around. I have a second single that I'm putting in cellar storage. Perhaps I'll pull in out in a year to re-try since I already own a 2nd. Definitely won't re-buy.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2011 02:10:49 | More by bubseymour

nickthetick

Maryland

3.88/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Best Before End: 0930132 whatever that means.

A: hazy thick mahogany with a lot of visible yeast, poured into a st feuillien chalice. Half a finger of khaki head that fizzles away quickly to a little island of condensed head in the middle of the glass. Not very effervescent looking and the suspended yeast makes it look thick as molasses, in fact it looks like organic maple syrup in a glass.

S: strong caramel malt and brown sugar right off the bat with some figs and plums mixed in. Nutmeg and other christmas like spices are slightly cloying and the alcohol is noticeable.

T: well there's the brown sugar and spices I smelled and noticeable dark fruit. Mild hop bitterness and some leather in the middle(in a good way). The alcohol is defiantly there, and the yeast presents a small amount apple.

MF: heavy and the floating yeast is felt around the tongue. The alcohol warms a bit and it is almost overly sweet and not very bitter.
D: a fine beer especially in the winter but not one I would go out of my way for. If I see it again with the glass I would get it and maybe put a year on it.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2011 22:58:28 | More by nickthetick

mithrascruor

California

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750 mL bottle poured into a chalice.

Appearance: Pours a dark brown color with reddish tints. Light tan head is fairly foamy. Decent retention, and leaves a fairly dense film.

Smell: Aroma of caramel and brown sugar. Some hints of booze, cloves, and raisins.

Taste: Lots of brown sugar and caramel. Spicy raisin flavors come out and persist through the finish. Sweet, with a bit of underlying bitterness, in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with lots of carbonation (a bit distracting).

Drinkability: Strong, but no alcohol hints in the flavor. Pretty easy to drink.

A tasty beer - not particularly complex and a bit too carbonated, but a pretty enjoyable Xmas ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2011 00:59:37 | More by mithrascruor

silentjay

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a dark mahogany with a huge fluffy light khaki head that retains well and laces ok.

some toasty, bready malts with plenty of fruitiness. fruit runs the gamut from tropical to citrus to dark to tart. bananas, orange, plums, raisins, blackberries, and more. the full bouquet doesnt present itself until it opens up and warms.

flavor starts with caramel, goes fruity, and ends with caramel again with some spices mixed in between. brown sugar, leather, light molasses, toasted wheat bread. banana, orange, plum, currants, dates, figs, raisins, blackberries, cranberries. cinnamon, nutmeg, light pepper. nice, but there is a touch of a metallic off-flavor hidden underneath.

bubbly, but not prickly on a medium bodied brew serves the style well.

drinks well, but booze is there though not harsh. would drink again next holiday season.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2010 06:13:26 | More by silentjay

ThaCreep

Belgium

3.93/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Brown, tan color, with a good lather. The nose offers a style caramel malt flavor but the yeast can also think of the candy. The mouth is very reminiscent of the Binchoise Christmas Special (which is very close) but with less spice though. Easy to drink, touch of cinnamon, is still spicy with good bitterness and a good well rounded spicy finish. An excellent Christmas beer.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

12-27-2010 16:34:58 | More by ThaCreep

thepeter

United Kingdom (England)

4.15/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours dark brown with a meduim head decent lacing. Aroma of nutmeg, cinamin, and christmas spices but more subdued than most other holiday ales, a bit nuttier as well. Taste is much the same. Lot's of flavor while not over doing the spices. Like a nutty Christmas pudding that is not overly sweet. The beer was really smooth adn one I could drink all night. Wish I had some more.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 11:48:00 | More by thepeter

Rmason104

Nebraska

3.3/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: dark deep brown w/ light beige head

S: malts and toasted bread, some spice

T: not quite the depth of other holiday beers. Starts off with the maltiness and toasted bread and just kind of stays there. Not the spices I expected of a Noel beer

M: not bad, but not as thick as I had hoped

D: decent,'but not great

Not my fave holiday beer so far. Not horrible, but the bar has been set high by Delirium & St. Bernardus.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2010 23:38:01 | More by Rmason104

sprucetip

Alaska

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From notes.

Mahogany, slightly murky, creamy tan head with good retention. Very little lacing.

Smell and taste: yeasty, spicy and boozy but not hot. Malty sweet, smooth and balanced.

Medium carbonation, feels thinner than it is, but very smooth.

Great beer, get it if you can.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2010 06:53:50 | More by sprucetip

impending

California

3.73/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Taps in Petaluma. Served in a St. Feuillien goblet. Pours a dark ruby chestnut, beautiful when back lite. Dense creamy head, clumping froth.

Sweet strong dark aroma backed by much yeast and ends with spices, superb.

Caramel malts and earthy spices. Very little alcohol warmth, wish it had more. Finishes with an acidic note and just a touch dry. After taste is short lived. Creamy full bodied mouthfeel.

Very nice but as this is a Noel brew I wish for more spices.
cheers
jd

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2010 01:03:25 | More by impending

claspada

New Jersey

3.35/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Aromas are mainly earthy with some flowery hops mixed in. I am surprised by the lack of malt aromas but there is some faint dark fruit from the malts and faint clovey yeastiness as it warms.

The taste is fairly malt centric with biscuitiness and sourdough breads dominating the initial flavor profile. The yeast follows with some clove and light banana notes. As it warms you get a lot more caramel malts with a distinct candy sweetness, never overpowering, just enjoyable Belgian ale characteristics. No alcohol is detectable at all on draft here. The finish has this distinct odd cola quality which isn't bad, just intriguing.

Mouthfeel is chewy, thick, silky smooth on the tongue, and coats the mouth with a spicy clove finish. Overall this is enjoyable and quite drinkable although I could not handle this is large quantities to be honest.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2010 01:21:13 | More by claspada

womencantsail

California

3.9/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the Stuffed Sandwich

A: The pour is a dark brown color with a surprisingly thin yet creamy off-white head.

S: Lots of banana esters to the nose along with raisins and plums. Plenty of nice caramel and brown sugar aromas to provide sweetness and just a subtle all-spice note.

T: Starts off with sweet brown sugar and caramel, and clove coming through after that. A fair amount of banana and raisins, perhaps a bit of cherries. A bit more alcohol presence that I had expected.

M: The body is medium to full with a pretty high carbonation that is typical for this style.

D: Not quite as good as some of the other Belgian Christmas beers, but this one was still pretty good. Would have this again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2010 02:22:22 | More by womencantsail

rfgetz

New Jersey

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

Pours a murky brownish-amber color with small cap of light-tan colored head, chunks of yeast floating all around, decent lacing. Scent brings a decent amount of winter spice, apple cider and dar fruit with a muted belgian yeast prescence. Taste starts off with the winter spices (cinnamin, clove, allspice) and dark sweet fruits and moves into a blend of grahmn crackery malt and apple cider. Back end has some boozyness and yeasty qualities. Medium bodied, could use some more heft. A beer that hits the spirit of a Christmas ale on the head.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 14:20:06 | More by rfgetz

Jono0284

Maryland

3.8/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a very nice amber color with a tall but medium bodied head into a tulip glass. As I drank there was no lacing on the first glass but the second one it showed up. Was about 40 degrees F when poured but needed to sit and warm up before it could be fully appreciated.

Very little on the nose or on the palate initially but once the beer opened up (a trend I am finding with these Belgians) I got a caramel bouquet.

The taste was originally spice but nothing in particular jumped out. However, once the beer sat I could taste nutmeg as the dominant spice. The overwhelming flavor though was golden raisins. This then went to a sweet flavor. I would liken this to drinking the liquid form of a traditional bread pudding.

This beer had a great malty bread like quality and was a great beer to drink as we decorated our Christmas tree.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2010 00:21:24 | More by Jono0284

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Slightly cloudy murky deep amber chestnut hue going on, large off white tan head forming thick and rising high above the rim of my large Chimay chalice. Fine layer of Belgian style lacing coats the glass, appears to be a beautiful etched pattern laid down by the beer gods. Aroma has deep alcohol and fruits intertwined, raisin/grape skins sweet cherry notes. A hint of caramel/chocolate intertwined with spicy black pepper in the back ground with herbal hops to balance things out. Flavor is dark fruit mainly plums/raisins soaked in soothing alcohol with hints of spice mainly nutmeg and caramelized chocolate malts going on. It works as a Christmas ale but the body is flowing with effervescent carbonation and a silky smooth Belgian style body. Drinkability overall is very nice smooth drinking high alcohol Christmas ale pretty amazing stuff.

I've had bottles since last year sitting around let's try one...11.2 ounce or 330 ml bottle stubby in nature pours into a St Feuillien chalice. Persistent toasted bread drizzled with honey, a very nice biscuit malt profile with some plum puree fruit content. A bit of dry nutty yeast component coming through with an air of somewhat hidden booze. Flavor has dried out secondary fermentation in the bottle has lessened the residual sugars in this bottle, making it much more balanced and drinkable. Spices died down, and the yeast character is thriving a nutty dry finish amongst the honey drizzled toasted bread notes. Gets even better after a year is my final impression, carbonation is sturdy effervescent with a medium body.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2010 23:45:54 | More by WVbeergeek

BeerImmediately

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

750ml into tulip at 45 degrees.

Pours with a decent sized effervescent head that fades quickly, and doesn't leave any noticeable lacing. Deep orange-to-brown body, with tons of carbonation present.

Smells like apple cider ... cinnamon, slight alchohol warmth, and it wasn't until it hit the mid-50's in temp did the aromas of red licorice and dark fruits begin to appear.

Lightly bitter lime-citrus flavor, with cinnamon bun and ginger - strange bed fellows. Alcohol starts to bring the heat as it warms, and overall a bit thin IMO on the palate. Pretty dry finish, and fairly sharp mouthfeel from the carbonation. No velvety smoothness as you might expect from the style.

Drinkability slows a bit as it warms due to the noticeable alchohol, which makes it appear quite thick, even w/the high carbonation and dry finish. Not a bad representation, but not among the best either.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2010 15:30:39 | More by BeerImmediately

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

4.13/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml bottle poured in a chalice.

A: Pours a beautiful dark amber color. Clear. A big beige head is formed. Good retention. While it disappears many lacings are left

S: Traditional sweet and fruity smell. Notes of grapes. A bit metallic. Very malty and bready (dark bread) followed by the delicious Belgian yeasts. A little bit alcoholic end

T: Complex. Sweet upfront. Really fruity (dark fruits) and malty (caramel malts, mainly). Excellent earthy hops and the expected Belgian yeasts. Good example of "liquid bread". Nice bitterness. Finish is a bit alcoholic

M: Medium to heavy body. Molasses and reasonably carbonated for such strong beer. Alcoholic aftertaste

D: Goood stuuuuff

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2010 18:37:41 | More by eduardolinhalis

radioscooter

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a goblet.

Aroma is fantastic. Fruity winter goodliness.

Taste is all Dickens and Sugarplums, nestled in my head. ABV is well masked. Figgy pudding, spicy, vanillas and malts. Not too sweet, not too dark. A little too phenolic is the only negative.

Carbonation is low, but it's a butt-kicker so maybe not ALL night but, certainly more than one.

Great boozy, treacley lingering aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2010 18:23:11 | More by radioscooter

montecristo2

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from a bottle into a belgian chalice.

Took it out of the fridge, let it warm a bit. Pours a thick four fingers with a rocky, creamy head. By the time I was ready to drink, the head was gone leaving a thick lacing along the edges and a thin, tannish foam on the surface.

Color is a nice dark golden brown. Looks a bit cloudy, only slightly, but a nice color nonetheless.

Smells of holiday fruits and belgian yeast.

Taste is pretty good. Not as viscous as I thought it would be, and I assumed it would be more malty as well. I definitely note a slight metallic taste and smell that others have mentioned. This is not a terrible thing, but not necessarily something I would want to look for in a belgian. Maybe this one needs to sit longer in the cellar to blend before you drink it.

Worth a try, but there's better belgians and holiday ales out there. I love St. Feuillien's Brune- one of my favorites.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2010 01:31:52 | More by montecristo2

Halcyondays

California

3.9/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ, '09 vintage,

A: Pours a ruddy dark brown with a poofy white head, good lace.

S: Plum pudding, raisins, very Belgian with a noticable minerality.

T: Again, similar to the smell. Plums and raisins with caramelized molasses/sweet brown sugar. Belgian yeast character is heavy, quite tasty.

M: Very soft carbonation, frothy, medium-bodied.

D: An attractive Belgian Christmas beer. Not super complex like St. Bernardus, but an enjoyable effort for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2010 04:13:07 | More by Halcyondays

CHickman

New York

2.93/5  rDev -27.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours cloudy chestnut brown with a foamy 2 finger head that faded pretty quickly; spotty lacing slid down the glass fast.

Smells of sweet malt, yeast, wet bread, caramel, cinnamon, spices, pine, alcohol like rum and some dark fruit; a nice aroma, but on the mellow side.

Tastes of sweet malt, yeast, wet bread, caramel, cinnamon, grass or herbs, spices like pepper, pine, rum, dark fruit like raisin or date, toasted grains and then it has that penny-like aftertaste from the yeast. After a second sip, or just the beer warming, there are hints of orange peel, vanilla, toffee and some nutmeg. Finish is on the dry side with some spices lingering and washing away most of that metallic taste. The alcohol is evident, but not in a bad way.

Mouthfeel is creamy and borders on oily, with very little to no carbonation and a medium to heavy body.

It was decent, but I would not seek it out again as it didn't blow me away. The metallic aftertaste just lingered too long and took away from the overall enjoyment of the beer to me.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2010 02:50:48 | More by CHickman

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a St. Feuillien glass. (It's like a stubby snifter with a very tall stem.)

Got this guy 'cause it was discounted (and in a gift set...I'm a sucker for glassware) at Stateline. It pours a very hazy dark auburn topped by a half-finger of slightly off-white foam. The nose comprises rye bread, yeast, honey, booze, figs, nutmeg, biscuits, and a touch of coriander. The booziness burns the nose a bit throughout the smell. The taste cuts down on this burn, emphasizing instead the spicy flavor combinations: rye bread, yeast, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon, buttery biscuits, orange zest, cardamom, figs, raisins, cloves, and a hint of flowers. The body is a heavy medium, with a moderate carbonation and a decently smooth feel. Overall, a solid BSDA with a nicely varied flavor, but I think there's just a bit too much going on, with nothing really standing out, to allow this guy to achieve real greatness. Definitely worth a taste, though.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2010 20:16:16 | More by TMoney2591

Joemark

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this beer on tap. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. The aroma was pleasant and reminded me a lot of a belgian quad. Alcohol was not overbearing, although i do have an acquired taste for stronger beers. If you enjoy the quad-esque aroma, i would recommend that you try this beer. I know that I'll be tracking it down again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2010 14:21:19 | More by Joemark

SleepyMonk

Australia

3.83/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Chilled 33ml poured into a slightly warmed tulip glass.

Pours a cedar like tan color with a dullish dark egg shell white head that is extremely lively as it peaks out at about 4 fingers (possibly 3 if you compensate for the the tulip glass) before shrinking away to minor lacing. If you put your ear up to it you can listen the cacophony of exploding effervescent bubbles.

The body maintains the dark tan and appears somewhat cloudy when held to the light. The aroma on the nose already lead you to see this is going to be a "warming' beer and a good winter sipper. Aroma is dark roasted fruits and new leather with malt and very light hint of vanilla.

Warm dough, malts and brown sugars sit with the same dark fruits that dominate the aroma. In a way the taste is a little unique, interestingly, hops and bitter yeast are pretty much absent here.

Mouthfeel is tight with a full body (even if its a bit underweighted ) and moderate carbonation. Nice tastes linger on and the alcohol finish is warming. This is a good alternative to something like Gulden Draak which I would like to a double tasting with.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2010 07:10:42 | More by SleepyMonk