Corsendonk Christmas Ale - Brouwerij Corsendonk

avalon07

South Carolina

4.83/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Poured from a bomber to a tulip glass. Had a dark brown color with ruby red tints. Cloudy consistency. There was a big, off-white, creamy, long-lasting head. Good lacing.

S: A fruity, malty, spicy smell. Very aromatic.

T: Tasted of malt, citrus fruits, esters and spices. Remarkably well-balanced with clean lines. Alcohol is barely noticable. An excellent flavor.

M: Lots of carbonation with a very dry finish. Medium- to full-bodied.

D: A drinkable beer if there ever was one. AN extremely well-constructed Belgian Strong Dark Ale that's one of the best I've had in the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2009 14:03:38 | More by avalon07

stjarnflikka

Sweden

4.8/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2004 vintage

Pours a reddish beer thats all clear and has a strong carbonation. There is a nice, cramy foam on top.

Smell is great! Citric traces blend together with fruits, malt and yeasty traces. After a while there is a surypy like sweetness and some alcohol to it together with a wine like sourness.

Taste is fruity, rich and this is very much a perfect taste. Fruits blend together with a very sweet taste. There is a bready thickness to it and a nice bitterness. There are traces of citrus and some spices in the aftertaste together with a soothing bitterness.

Leaves a nice warmth after every sip, a very nice brew, certainly a garanteed bottle on next years christmas table.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2005 18:27:43 | More by stjarnflikka

gbontrag

Colorado

4.8/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Brown ale with a reddish glow. Thick toasted head clings together then collapses in the middle talking to me in bubble-speak: Snap, crackle... "drink me. Your wife is out of town, the kids are asleep early -- indulge."
How does something so brown, that's sat in the bottle for so long, smell so fresh? It smells like a tropical greenhouse with exotic blooms drooping overhead dripping nectar and beckoning me with irresistible pheremone kisses.
Delicious. Spicy. Leaves the palate surprisingly clean. Crisp. There's good astringency, a little numbing. There's a dusting of barley flour that coats the palate with a sour twang. Tastes like spicy fruits: Fuji apples, bosc pear, asian pear, little red plums, and the list goes on.... Blood oranges, kumquats. Cookie dough: Butterscotch chip, snickerdoodle and gingersnap crackle...
I feel like a committed adultery.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2005 19:03:52 | More by gbontrag

ypsifly

Michigan

4.8/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 that is corked and banded that came in a metal tube that had some straw in it to cushion the bottle. Best before 9-25-05...but I'm feelin' lucky tonight. lol Served in a chalice.

Had to manage a slow careful pour as this one foamed up upon hitting the glass. Deep brown with reddish edges under a tall head of light cream. Good retention, but with spotty rings of lace.

Nice balance of cookie dough, mild holiday spices, chalk, clove, bannana, a little licorice, and some malty sweetness. Damn!

Big, full velvet mouth. The spices are a bit more pronounced, especially the licorice(anise) and a pinch of coriander. Lots of dark ripe fruits such as plums and some citrus. A nice touch of bitter hops and lots of "classic Belgian" yeast flavors that have a bit of bubblegum and clove. The alcohol only registers as a warming sensation in a slightly bitter finish. Double Damn!

I would compare this with Gouden Carolous Cuve Van Der Kaiser(sp?) in terms of taste, mouth and overall satisfaction. Well worth the $11.99. I will buy more.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2005 05:04:05 | More by ypsifly

benmiliron

Ohio

4.8/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Received an 8-pk. with glass from my sister as a Christmas gift. Thanks sis!

A smoky brown tan color, good foamy head that fades quickly. Some lacing. Smells of sugar, malt, spice and all things nice. Not much hop aroma, but the bitter is there in the taste. Taste is superb. Belgian fruits, spices, yeast and malts, a bit of smoke, and candied plums. Mouthfeel is sticky with good carbonation to support. Maybe a hair too fizzy.

This is one of the best Christmas ales out there.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2006 20:06:30 | More by benmiliron

JamesS

Indiana

4.8/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured a wonderfully dark brown, near-black with fantastic head and awesome lacing. Great thick malt scents, with a wonderful bit of fruit (cherry) and spice (nutmeg) in the nose. A great strong dark ale with Christmas flavors, it had wonderful fruitiness with some cherry and orange flavors, nice spices with a low hit of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a great bit of hoppy spiciness as well; all flavors were well balanced. Slightly rough with some of the spiciness on the way down, along with just a bit of alcohol heat, but a fantastic beer nonetheless!

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 03:10:24 | More by JamesS

chadmoe1

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Notes from 12/12/11

A -- Deep golden brown with 1" light tan head; lots of lacing

S -- Belgian fruity yeast, raisin and pear notes

T -- Toast malty goodness, fruity yeast, raisin/currant, long aftertaste

M -- Strong carb, medium body

O -- Belgian beer + Christmas! Distinct Belgian flavors (fruity yeast, smooth toasty/lightly roasted malt, warm alcohol) with spices that balance. I could drink this over and over again!

Bottle, poured in snifter glass

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 01:24:56 | More by chadmoe1

oracle

Indiana

4.78/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

10 oz draft pour served in a Corsendonk Christmas Ale goblet.

Beer arrived very dark and opaque in the glass, although I've never seen a beer this dark have such a white head on it. Very unusual. Head was about 1/2 inch of bubbly and sticky foam that left fair amount of lacing on the glass.

Smell was quite intriguing. Lightly spicy and very fruity. It held a the faintest hint of yeast as well.

Taste was like no other beer I've tried before. I've always been a huge hop head up until now, largely drinking IPAs and Double IPAs. This beer really opened up my eyes to the possibilities that a very malty beer can be very good too. Taste was simply incredible. Sweet, like nectar, without being too sugary or syrup like. Very fruity, with orange notes and a strong carmel presence as well as many others flavors. This beer was actually so complex, I couldn't sort out all the flavors I was tasting in there.

Mouthfeel was just perfect. Light and airy. Any heavier and this wold be hard to drink. Minimal carbonation to get in the way of the flavors, but not flat.

Absolutely outstanding and highly recommended

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2004 14:24:48 | More by oracle

HeyItsChili

China

4.78/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Poured from a bomber into a tulip glass. Pours dark brown, slight amber glow as the light hits it hard, medium khaki head that slowly dies down.

S - Molasses, muted dark fruits, roasted malts. Everything works in concert here.

T - Malty, spices, raisins, brown sugar, candies, alcohol in the finish.

M - Crisp, medium bodied.

D - Exceedingly drinkable. Delicious.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2008 22:29:01 | More by HeyItsChili

mophie

Delaware

4.75/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Another (ho hum) outstanding beer from Belgium. First off, I love the look (maybe it's the mood I'm in). It's garnet in color, topped initially by a frothy tan head. The head reduces to a millimeter layer across the top, which is continually fed by these moderately-fast moving streams of bubbles. Not quite champagne-like, but close. Smell is cooked plums, raisins, with hints of ginger, coriander, and orange. Taste is a festive combination of bread pudding and cooked plums. Spices hit in the middle, with coriander and ginger hitting first, followed by a mellow clove aspect, finishing with a touch of caramelized orange rind. Mild hop presence keeps things nicely balanced. I agree with other reviewers that the mouthfeel is a bit thin (due in part to moderately high carbonation), but I'm actually enjoying it. I will add this to my list of holiday traditions!

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2002 16:45:54 | More by mophie

merlin48

Kentucky

4.75/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

For some reason, I selected this one instead of the Val Dieu or Gouden Carolus winter seasonals for my 700th review. Very pleased that I chose this one. Brought it upstairs from the cellar to see that it is corked, but not caged. A metal wire twist holds a black tab across the cork. After a couple minutes of effort, the cork disembarked with a "pop", using the thumb twiddling technique. Some gray smoke wafted out of the open bottle.
Appearance: Poured into a Konings Hoeven chalice the body is a clear, dark mahogany. The head is of a silky appearance, medium beige in color. Looks like mousse. Sheet lacing is as exceptional as for any Belgian ale I've ever seen.
Aroma: Rather complex, and extremely interesting. Banana peel leads off, followed by fig newtons, a mild hint of anise, and a plethora of fruity esters that range from tropical apricot to orange. A whiff of ethanol is barely noticed in the mix.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and creamy, like velvet. Effervescent carbonation is like a Pez candy exploding in your mouth.
Taste: I love the complexity of fruitiness going on. Dark fruits, fresh plums, rum fruitcake, spice array of anise, coriander, and ginger. A pleasant note of cherry cough syrup jumps into the middle, and adds a meek note of medicinal alcohol. Swirling in the yeast, for the final pour, adds some earthy character that reminds me of a freshly plowed vegetable garden. Finish is balanced between the tropical fruit sweetness and a mild hop and yeast twang. Wow! This is incredibly tasty.
Drinkability: Price and availability are the only impediments to drinkability. I can only dream about how good this one will be after some time in the cellar. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2005 01:43:15 | More by merlin48

fx20736

New York

4.73/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pouured from a 330ml bottle into a goblet, served at cellar temp.

Beautiful, rich red mahogany with a thick brown sugar colored head. Decent lacing.

Aroma; rich, deep malt. Lavender, vanilla, pepper, cloves, oak, sherry.

Mouthfeel; is light and effortless.

Taste; easily the plummiest beer I have tasted. Oak, spices, vanilla on a thick bed of malt.

One of the best beers I have ever tasted. Will buy more soon.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 16:40:40 | More by fx20736

jreitman

California

4.72/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

An absolutely wonderful brew that I am glad I got to enjoy on tap. After the Kwak keg was tapped at Monk's, Tom put this sucked on and I am glad I was there for it. The Ale has all the traits you would expect from a standard dark strong ale (belgian candy sugar, nice maltiness, etc.) and adds a subtle spiciness that works incredibly well. The christmas spices do not feel "forced" like they do in a lot of winter seasonals, but seem to form a perfect complement to the base beer style. A true masterpiece IMO.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2003 11:20:14 | More by jreitman

John

New York

4.72/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Oh yeah, Santa remembered I was good this year! On tap at my local. What a gorgeous brew in the hefty stemmed goblet. Lovely dark chocolate color. The aromas and flavors are very cohesive and continuous. Chocolate, raisin, plum, hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Semi-sweet and roasted malt teeter back and forth. Alcohol is warming and welcome lending it’s own spice. The full mouthfeel is satisfying. This delicious beer is worth the wait until Christmas time.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2003 18:56:45 | More by John

DaPeculierDane

Wisconsin

4.72/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Hazy and very dark, almost aphotic brown with a healthy head that crowns nicely.

S: Reminiscent of Ommegang with a touch of citrus and anise added.

T/MF: Very rich and cakey. Full bodied. Silky finnish. Big flavors of Christmas spice, chocolate, nuts, husks, and lip smacking smoke. Very big beer on the flavor. I can’t put words to how robust this one is.

D: Warming and pleasurable. Very drinkable on a cold day or any other time for this matter. This beer is not limited to the Christmas season by any means. Quite complex in interesting.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2006 18:48:47 | More by DaPeculierDane

ROMER79

Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this beer for the first time this holiday season, well actually a little after. It was probably the best winter ale that I have had all season. The pour was a dark brown with a one finger tan head. Fruits, spices, candied sugars, and chocolate were all aromas that this beer gave off. It tasted of chocolate, malts, candied sugars, and it was followed with smoky after notes. It was a well balanced beer with flavors that danced on my palate. Full bodied and easy to drink. Great beer to enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2008 01:42:31 | More by ROMER79

DeadGuyRyan

Ohio

4.72/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: A hazy beer with a ruddy brown mahogany color to it. Great tan head that hangs around as well as the lace.

Smell: Very inviting smell with floral notes along with malt and fruits as well along with chocolate hints as well. Reminds me of the holidays.

Taste: This beer is incredible rich with out being overbearing. Subtle nuances of spices and great malt flavor I get a great sense of figs and dark raisins as well. Smells of a pudding as well.

Aftertaste: This beer went down really smooth was creamy on the palate with a flavor that lingered around for a while. I would suggest drinking this beer slowly the warmer it gets the more the taste really present themselves.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2010 20:06:17 | More by DeadGuyRyan

pkalix

California

4.71/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

super dark brandy color with incredibly tight bubbly head and light, loose lacing.
smells like dark fruit, fig and raisin.
sweet and malt-y with dark fruit, same fig and raisin with other flavors and aromas.
was expecting a heavier brew but this is pleasantly in between a heavy and light, and slightly sweet with very little bitterness. although it's a warmer january evening here in SoCal, i can still appreciate the intent of the dark beer. i like the other corsendonks and this is my first time with their christmas ale. beautiful appearance- awesome head and great color below. great taste and a higher abv. absolutely serves the purpose!

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 02:07:48 | More by pkalix

WesWes

New York

4.7/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours an amber color with a thick frothy offwhite head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is awesome. It has a very sweet and slightly tart malt scent. It is quite complex; full of fruitiness and a molasses aroma. The taste is great as well. It has a very smooth malty flavor that goes down easy and finishes fruity and warm. This is an exceptional brew. It has great mouthfeel. It is a full bodied with adequate carbonation. This is a kick ass beer. It is full of flavor and aroma; a good drinker. This is one of the best Belgian beers I've ever sampled.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2004 00:32:15 | More by WesWes

Boto

Connecticut

4.7/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap at Monk’s. Very dark reddish-brown in color, with a little somewhat tan head. The head dies off rather quickly. The aroma is a hint os spices with a rich sweetness. Big, malty sweet flavor with a fair amount of spices, but not overdone. Some hints of fruits in the aftertaste. Just had the bottled version last night. Equally good!

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2005 20:14:24 | More by Boto

weissbierdrinker

Belgium

4.7/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a ruby brown color with a tan brown head that leaves spotted lacing around the glass.

Smells of holiday spices, and nutmeg.

Taste chewy up front, with caramel and nutmeg maybe some ginger, honey notes, and a warming alcohol flavor that finishes it off.

Absolutely a great beer that has so much going on it's hard to describe. I'm very impressed and I'm going to look for more to stock up on.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2009 21:27:58 | More by weissbierdrinker

brentk56

North Carolina

4.68/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a dark russet brown color with a fluffy tan head that dissipates to some islands but leaves plenty of lace around the glass

Smell: Dark fruits, brown sugar, a variety of holiday spices (cloves and anise) as well some orange peel

Taste: Starts out with some fragrant dark fruit and brown sugar tones with nice complexity from the spices; mid-palate the flavor dries out dramatically, and provides a nice oaky finish with some fruit still hanging around

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a lot of fizzy carbonation

Drinkability: This is one lovely Holiday ale

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2005 23:01:29 | More by brentk56

Hunter

Arizona

4.68/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

appearance: deep, rich brownish ruby color, pillowy dense head

smell: lovely hints of spice accompanies the malt, sugars and grassy undertones

taste: splendid! earthy, woody, spicy. some heat from the alcohol as well.

mouthfeel: cloying aftertaste that isn't unpleasant

drinkability: this is a lovely winter warmer

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2008 20:33:37 | More by Hunter

tjkurz

Wisconsin

4.68/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

This is one of the best beers I have ever had. Pours (into snifter) dark with decent head smells like christmas, tastes like christmas - some spice nutmeg clove - some fruit - subtle brandy - all delicious. Creamy and carbed nicely - warm - very drinkable for its abv.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2010 18:18:23 | More by tjkurz

Brent

Kentucky

4.65/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a winter treat. Lemony, citric aroma welcomes you to the first sip, and the citrus follows through in the flavor very nicely. Interesting chocolate malt flavor that had a distinct tea-like character.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2001 10:38:37 | More by Brent