Corsendonk Christmas Ale - Brouwerij Corsendonk

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml into a couple of snifters. The brew appears a polished clear color of mahogany with a rich 2 finger topping of yellowish stained khaki head. As the cap slowly fades, it leaves a thick wall of lace sticking all over the glassware. Rising bubbles maintain a thin film across the top and a light swirl revives the cap.

The aroma has a bit of mineral and metallic elements coupled with dark burnt sugar like caramel and toffee. Some fruity hints like raisins and plums are also present mixed with a bit of herbal to medicinal quality. Across the back are some citrus zesty elements that are faintly like lemon or orange.

The taste is mutually carbonic in flavor that brings out some mineral and metallic elements. The maltiness is a bit like raisins, blended with toffee and caramel. Some herbal hops bring out a bit of medicinal aspect to this brew that lingers long inside the mouth. For being 8.5%, the alcohol is fairly well integrated.

This is a medium to fuller bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is a decent offering with a minimal zesty spiced influence that is just enough to set it off as being different from the standard belgian style strong ale. Overall not bad and it is something I would drink again if offered but not something I would have to drink to make my Christmas complete.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 00:15:58 | More by stakem

thierrynantes

France

3.25/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Beer bottle (25cl.), tasted in 2005.

Appearance : black color with brown reflections. Tan foamy head.
Smell : soft caramel.
Taste and mouthfeel : Somewhat bitter, well malted, spicy notes, sweet flavors come once in the mouthful.
Drinkability : an average beer in the style Belgian strong dark ale. I prefer Agus or Pater.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2008 20:14:27 | More by thierrynantes

AllThingsNinja

Massachusetts

3.23/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

This dark brown ale poured a large and retentive head that left pleasant lace upon my glass. The spicy aroma of cinnamon, ginger, and thyme was intriguing. Unfortunately, the flavor of the beer was not especially complex, and not entirely pleasant. Maybe this was a bad bottle but sour grapes flavors overpowered the chocolate and other malt notes. As the ale warmed, sweetness became a stronger presence but it never became interesting.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2004 11:20:02 | More by AllThingsNinja

dqrull

Sweden

3.23/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark amber, thick foam, about a finger high. Little to no lace lingering on the inside of the glass, foams up really nice after some swirling, sexy.

Smell is appealing, dark fruits, yeast esters, somewhat malty and sweet, and there is some kind of spice in the back that I cant really place, nothing my palate is familiar with...

The taste pretty much delivers what the smell promised, but I find that the unknown spice is taking over a bit much at the end, and it spoils it a bit for me. As the spice surfaces though, there is a slight bitterness also, which saves the beer a little.

Mouthfeel is creamy and pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2009 18:48:41 | More by dqrull

CDBeerDisappear

Ohio

3.2/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A - Dark amber brown with plenty of tan fine bubbled head. Head is, in fact spectacular. The magnificent head, of course, yields plenty of lacing.

S - Nutty malt aroma with hint of cherries.

T - First taste is sweet but it becomes more acidic as you hold it in your mouth.

M - Thin soda pop feel.

D - I am not a fan of sour tasting beer. Some people like it. I think I would not drink this again, not because it is bad but because there are so many that are better.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2006 03:49:37 | More by CDBeerDisappear

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Bruery tulip. Picked up at State Line.

Pours a dark brown with some slight purple coloring. One-finger head with a slight bit of ringy lacing. There is some light foam on top throughout The nose brings some light caramel, dates, and some other dark fruits There is slight bit of roast and cream. Pretty plain.

The taste is very light roast with a bit of mild dark fruits. Very light amount of black licorice. There is also some light caramel and toffee. Medium body and light carbonation. Not a stellar brew, but pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2010 00:47:05 | More by Thorpe429

kylehay2004

Florida

3.05/5  rDev -26.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Half finger head, on a clear dark amber and red body. Not much lacing. Aroma is almost nonexistent. What is there is a mild pungent and sour grape like aroma. this is a very drinkable mild dark fruit Belgian dark strong. A very safe member if the genre. Medium in body and moderate carbonation. Overall may be my least favorite in this genre. These beers should be bold, this one is weak.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2011 04:16:47 | More by kylehay2004

quasimoto

Ohio

3.03/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - Dark brown with w/ little to no head

S - Spicy malts w/ molasses, honey, nutmeg and orange peel

T - Sweet malts and the orange peel. Everything else is hidden.

M - sharp carbination on the palette with a dry finish.

D - It's an o.k. holiday beer. Not my favorite, but is good enough to bring in the x-mas cheer.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2006 14:37:42 | More by quasimoto

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.03/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On Tap,
Corsendonk off the spout has a amberish hue hinting towards polished brown. a trace amount of dark tan foam up top, leaving squiggles around the glass that fade. Smell is pretty spicy and caramel, sweet ridden. Get alot of toffee, with some winter spice on top of some grain and a whiff of alcohol. Not all that impressive in all honesty. Taste pretty much solidifies my fears, Corsendonk Christmas really ain't about nothing. Sure it has some winter spice with caramel malt/toffee. I even get some faint applesauce taste and plum. It just comes down to, I don't like it all that much. It does not move me. The alcohol is hidden really well though, so there is that. Body is pretty dead on arrival, just feels like some life was lost on this. Medium in build, light in carby. While this was a beer I got into good beer with, it's not one that will be sticking around for me.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2011 03:47:28 | More by onix1agr

kegerator

Maryland

3/5  rDev -27.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

not impressed with this one
pours golden with a fizzy 1 inch head that leaves as soon as it develops. smell is pepper like spice, lemon peel and some sweetness is lingering
taste was huge peppery spice, not liking that, with warmth from the alcohol its very carbonated and fizzy almost soda like.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2005 12:58:13 | More by kegerator

FtownThrowDown

Ohio

2.95/5  rDev -29.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from bottle into my St.B chalice.
Pours a dark ruby brown with only a slight head. Can catch a glimpse of light around the edging of the beer.
Smell is yeasty, with some candy sugar. There is a earthy fruit and a slight alcohol smell coming through as well.
Taste is dark ripened fruit and yeast. There is more alcohol coming through in the taste than was found in the smell.
The mouthfeel is very carbonated with a slight burn to it.
A decent holiday offering but not my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2006 02:19:30 | More by FtownThrowDown

BlindPig

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -29.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

A- Big darker tan head on a clear deep amber body (can't really see through it til you hold it up to the light).
S- Spices come through first. A big malt aroma too. Also something weird comes through too. Like toothpaste or light pine cones?
T- Big malt body with a dose of spices. Some light european hops also come out. A weird lighter taste comes through (which seems very out of place) but I can't pinpoint what it is.
M- Medium body with low to medium carbonation.
D- It's a kind of weird beer. I think their other two are a lot better. Can't see me drinking the whole bottle of this. Just some weird aromas and flavors come out of this.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2006 04:53:02 | More by BlindPig

ALESwhatCURESya

Wisconsin

2.88/5  rDev -30.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Beautiful deep chestnut amber color with a sticky cream head that left lacing all over the chalice. Intensly sticky and clinging to anything it touched. I am not getting a lot of aroma off this. A small amount of phenolic fruitiness. The taste is crisp and spicy with heavy pepper kicks left on the tongue. The mouthfeel is very dry and a little cloying. This is a decent dark beligan, but not a memorable one.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2005 22:57:39 | More by ALESwhatCURESya

Bobikel

Colorado

2.85/5  rDev -31.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Served in a caged and corked 750ml bollte.

Appearance - Pours a deep clear red. A small 1/2 inch head appears and stays for quite some time. Lacing is very good.

Smell - Rigid deep maltiness, and some hops. A little soapy? Maybe infected?

Taste - Yeasty, warm, and a little cloying. Plum, and corriander.

Mouthfeel - Highly effervescent, dancing on the toung with a pleasant pointyness. A little thick.

Drinkability - Not really a sesionable drinker, nor is it a quiet-night sipper.

Overall - Fun to try, but a little dissapointing. Reminds me a little of Lefthand's "Goosinator", but with a little more depth.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2006 05:47:37 | More by Bobikel

Aiptasia

Florida

2.83/5  rDev -32%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Sampling this from a 12 oz. bottle tonight. It's an average looking Belgian specialty ale. Nothing remarkable. Fast fizzy head that fades with a little lacing. It smells like watery cinnamon raisin bagels. Taste is wet with a definite Belgian cheesy funk from the yeast, reminiscent of swiss cheese. Some fruity plum backnote tang on the back of the tongue and not much else. It's wetter tasting than a lot of Belgians and it's not overly sweet. Overall, it's ok. I don't find it quite as good as a lot of other Belgians.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 01:02:07 | More by Aiptasia

TastyTaste

Minnesota

2.8/5  rDev -32.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Red maroon body, fluffy off-white head, a slow fader. Good sticky lace.

Smell: Sweet, fruit and herbal, carmel.

Taste: Thin and buttery, this beer should be good through mid-2007, but this is rather unimpressive. The flavors are bland for the style, and the only good part is a slight vinous character. I was expecting mroe from this one.

Drinkability: Bad bottle? I doubt it, it's most likely been refrigerated since being put on the shelf. I will pass on this, hopefully othr bottles are better.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2006 03:51:30 | More by TastyTaste

yelterdow

New Jersey

2.73/5  rDev -34.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Best by 12/09/09... thanks Adam for the gift. I'll be serving this in an Ommegang tasting tulip at cellar temperature with a hunk of Chimay cheese... always a perfect companion with a Belgian Dark ale.

Appearance- With a color equivalent to a rich, fine cognac, the beer pours beautifully... clear with a billowing, foamy head that fills as much of this glass as the beer itself. After many minutes, the clingy lacing drops off and settles to an uneven translucent map.

Smell- Aromas of spiced holiday cookies, bready and full with suggestions of rum and nutmeg. Perfumy and flowery. Not very complex but pleasant and nostalgic.

Taste- While the malts get things started right, the instant after the swallow things go downhill quickly. Seems that the heavy use of spices completely dominate and overwhelm the palate, leaving no space for anything else to happen.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability- A bit explosive in the initial burst, it eases up shortly thereafter but doesn't ever flatter the beer. With the yeast addition, the sharp aftertaste quiets and the texture eases. This tasting went a full two hours, but unfortunately it will forgotten beneath many more memorable Belgian ales.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2007 04:10:22 | More by yelterdow

ccrida

Oregon

2.42/5  rDev -41.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Served on draft in a regular Corsendonk cervoise, it was a dark amber in a color with very little head or carbonation, but left behind a nice khaki lace. The aroma was mainly sweet malt and yeast, but fairly mild. The taste was immediately dominated by anise, which gave way to a nice malt backbone and a bit of fig or prune, then a slightly boozy finish. I had trouble getting by the anise, which I'll admit is far from my favorite spice, and not normally so overbearing as to turn me off from the rest of the brew. The mouthfeel was a bit thin for the style, and since I didn't care for the spice used, I didn't find this one to be that drinkable. I should also note that the 8.5% ABV was no less evident then some of the +10% Noels that are much more balanced. I seem to recall liking the Corsendonk Noel last year, so I'm not sure if the recipe has changed, the keg I drank from needed aged, or my palate is finer tuned, but this year it's my least favorite of any holiday beer so far.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2006 05:27:12 | More by ccrida

NODAK

Tennessee

2.38/5  rDev -42.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Aroma is fairly sweet...some definite notes of brown sugar, and perhaps some dark fruit in there as well. Nice and smooth.

Pours a very dark brown with a somewhat thin, loose head.

Carbonation is pretty prickly on this one. Body on the beer is surprisingly not that sweet at all. There is some molasses and dark fruit, but it's pretty light and is covered up somewhat by the carbonation as well. There's a sour note near the finish...and a pretty heavy bitterness there as well for this style. Definitely dry. One person called it "chemically bitter". Not bad of a description...it's not very pleasant. Also a bit of a metallic taste as well. Comes across as far less sweet and thick than most beers of this style, and more hoppy.

For style, it isn't one of my favorites. I look to these beers to be more flavorful....this one doesn't excite me. In fact, it's rather hard to drink.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2010 00:58:49 | More by NODAK

mrasskicktastic

New Jersey

1.88/5  rDev -54.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

A - A deep Mahongany, almost black, brew with a two finger finger light brown head that has decent retention. As it dissipates, it leaves attractive, delicate rings of lacing behind.

S - Bananas, cloves, raisins, dates and caramel malt. Pleasant, but nothing fantastic.

T - Metals (tin and copper) that linger into the aftertaste. A strong raisin presence over a fainter coffee malt character with a strange chemical twinge throughout. The aftertaste is metallic and chemically bitter. Awful!

M - Simply horrendous! Extremely parching with a medium body. The chemical flavor is dessicating. After each sip I want to chug a glass of water. As a side, it is hard to separate the chemical taste from the mouthfeel.

D - Awful! Awful! Awful! I never want this again. Each sip implanted a strong suggestion to send this brew to the drain. It was not too long before I gave in to this urge. It was terrible to do, but I couldn't drink another sip of this.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2006 20:34:56 | More by mrasskicktastic

Tilley4

Tennessee

1.78/5  rDev -57.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Picked this up last week and thought I would give it a go. Corked bottle.

This looks really good. It's a dark reddish brown type color with a nice fluffy head.

This smells kinda musty here. A bit like rotten fruit. Very much like wine.

This belongs in the wine section of the store. It tastes just like wine to me. A wine with a malty character to it. Big disappointment here. After reading some of the reviews, I was expecting to really enjoy this but I just didn't.

Maybe I got a bad bottle or something, I don't know. I just didn't care for this.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2007 20:19:47 | More by Tilley4