Corsendonk Christmas Ale - Brouwerij Corsendonk

RedBaron

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A fine Christmas offering from Corsendonk.

The 25oz., corked bottled poured nicely, with a deep reddish hue, and a creamy, off-white and sustaining head.

The smell was of raisins, cinnamon and clove. The initial taste was of complex malts fused with spices (plus raisin and a detection of chocolate). The body was solid, quite full. The finish was smooth and a lovely 'Euro' sweetness lingered and begged the tongue for more. Certainly, however, you want to savor this lovely holiday beer. It's not one to quaff. Matter of fact, I took about 1 1/2 hours to sip at a leisurely pace.

My sample is at least a year old, probably older, as I purchased it last Christmas and hung it in my wine rack for the past year. My wine rack is the worse off now...

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2003 03:16:11 | More by RedBaron

francisweizen

Australia

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew was a murky brown colour with a lovely tan head of foam. The aromas were sweet, bready, malty and a bit spicy. The taste was spicy and fruity, with just a hint of booze. The mouthfeel was thick, but stil a bit watery for a Belgian Strong Dark Ale and the drinkability was absolutely great!

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2003 07:34:20 | More by francisweizen

Bierman9

New Hampshire

4.03/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I enjoyed a corked, 750ml bottle of this today while reading some bier literature and assisting in the preparation of our Christmas feast. The Donk Christmas Ale pours a deep, dark chestnut hue, with glimmering ruby highlights. A lovely color! It has a prodigious, tan head, which is billowy and fluffy. The bubbles are fine on top, a bit larger in the mid-section, and fine again at the base where the plentiful carbonation assists in the head creation. The topping lasts quite well, and lacing is top-shelf! The nose is dryish and fruity, with dark fruit, like raisins, being the main player on this stage. The body tends to the medium side of things, and the carbonation makes for a "lively" bier on the tongue. It has a bubbly, foamy feel, like a good German Hefeweizen. Having a sip, I encounter a touch of semi-sweet, bready malt, with candi-ish overtones. The bier is quite fruity, with dark fruit dominating. It is definitely a warming bier, and quite dry at the finish, perhaps a wisp too dry for me to consider it a frequent-drinking brew. Still, a nice prelude to a wonderful Holiday meal with Family. Frohe Weihnachten, and Zum Wohl!!!

Oddly - drinking this fine bier on Christmas, and it's review #666.... How bizarre! ;-)

overall: 4.1
appearance: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | mouthfeel: 4 | drinkability: 4

666

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2003 21:05:10 | More by Bierman9

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.13/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Corsendonk Christmas Ale sports a beautiful, festive label showing a Christmas tree and a giant gold star against the backdrop of a snow-filled blue sky. Best before date of 9-22-05. This is my first Belgian beer and the first time that I've used my new chalice.

Although there was a big blast of carbonation when I popped the crown, the beer itself doesn't seem to be overly carbonated. Up top is a voluminous, rocky, tan cap that fades to a thin film and leaves a small amount of lace. The color is dark ruby with bright cherry accents and is simply beautiful. The beer smells like holiday spiced fruitcake and is incredibly complex.

The flavor profile is dominated by dark, dried fruits. Christmas spices abound. There's an underlying sourness that fades to a pleasing bitterness on the finish. Alcohol is extremely well hidden. The mouthfeel, although borderline creamy, isn't mouthfilling. Drinkability is pretty good, but is limited somewhat by the ABV.

All in all, Corsendonk Christmas Ale is a very nice winter warmer of a BSDA and is one that I'll look for every year.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2003 19:33:50 | More by BuckeyeNation

BeefyMee

Connecticut

3.65/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle

I was wary at first because there was a definite spruce/pine smell. I didn't like the Anchor OSA because they went overboard in this area. The taste of the Corsendonk was pleasing, however, with a subtle malt flavor smoothing things over and the Christmas tree flavor being complimentary instead of dominant. I enjoyed this one, but I'm still trying to figure out why people want their beer to taste like a tree.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2003 07:23:05 | More by BeefyMee

counselor

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 corked and caged bottle opened wit a stiff wisp of carbonation. The beer poured a dark cocoa espresso color with a tall foamy head that reduced rather quickly leaving nice lacing on the glass. The smell was spicey, buttery, with layers of yeasty bannana aromas and freshly split oak logs. The taste was well balanced with traditional belgian ale flavors from the yeast bits in the glass. Each sip brought out the changes in this beer as it warmed from the early crisp dry notes of spice and tobacco to the later fruity plum, bannana and fig flavors. Each mouthful was enjoyable from the early cold & well carbonated one to the final warm & flatter one. A fine exmple of a beer!

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2003 14:26:26 | More by counselor

BierReise

Florida

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

Funny how there are so many varying descriptions of color with this ale. Mine poured an almost clear reddish amber that has a beautiful hue to it when you hold it before light. Head was creamy and dense thanks to the work of Belgian yeast strains. Very nice fruit aroma with a subtle spiceiness. Lively mouthfeel and a smooth medium body. Flavor is a fruity malt with a peppery cherry taste. A nice belgian ale that I would drink regularly if available.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2003 00:27:39 | More by BierReise

Weissenheimer

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The color of this beer is an impressively deep, dark cherry. I picture Satan sitting on his throne drinking something like this; it's evocative of blood. It has a pretty, small, foamy whipped-cream head and oily-looking lacing that reminds me of wine legs. The smell is soft, round, and pleasant, with anise and other spices that one would expect from a Christmas ale.

The taste is nice and round, with a spiciness and butteriness that reminds me of Affligem Noel. I'm noticing just a bit of tannins, but not enough to make a significant impression. It's not as big, round, smooth, and slick as the Affligem, but then again what is? So far this is my second favorite Christmas ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2003 00:45:37 | More by Weissenheimer

pezoids

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I believe this is the 2002 version. An excellent beer! Pours a murky black cherry color with a very rich and creamy head of foam. The aroma emanates sweet raisins and melon. Almost like a fruit cordial, or Pucker liqueur. The taste is alcoholic, bitter, fruity and dry and sherry-like, with hints of chocolate and cherries, even has a hint of rum. The flavors are complex and it’s easy to find a lot of good things in this beer. Flavorful with a medium malt sweetness. Highly drinkable and an excellent Holiday beer. Now, if I could only get this one on tap.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2003 12:49:00 | More by pezoids

far333

Connecticut

3.68/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A dark copper to brown color with a low beige head that leaves sticky, chunky lace around the inside of the glass. Aroma is sugary and fruity. Flavor is sweet and yeasty, with noticeable notes of cinnamon and nutmeg and sweet fig. A smooth mouthfeel leads to a sweet and yeasty finish, with honey and pear and yeast lingering in the aftertaste.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2003 03:12:13 | More by far333

CRJMellor

Arkansas

3.88/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a bottle in late 2001 on a trip to France.
Pours a deep brown with lots of sediment in the bottle. Light tan/white head that dissipates fairly quickly.

Aroma is citrusy(maybe lemon), some dark fruits and light anise note. Also some spice, maybe nutmeg. Also has a resiny aroma.

Taste was full-bodied though smooth, hid alcohol well. Malt predominants front flavor then some fruity flavors then finishes with a bready taste. Beer tastes much lighter than appearance but still a strong beer !
Jason mentioned Plum pudding and I have to agree. wouldn't have thought of that myself but when I read it, it definitely brought my gran's plum pudding.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2003 03:41:03 | More by CRJMellor

dpend

Florida

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed a goblet of this compliments of Blackburn Point Liquors.

This beer poured a murky ruby orange with a good off-white head. Head fell consistently down to a thin film. Aroma was of lovely spices, malts and liquor. A very sweet smelling beer. Many layers to the taste of this beer with fruits,spices and nutty malts and a great warming effect compliments it well. A spiced candy is my best explanation for this taste.The sweetness became a bit overpowering on the aftertaste and I could probably handle only one. A must for the holidays though.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2003 02:03:54 | More by dpend

Crosling

Colorado

4.28/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Corsendonk Christmas came in a 750 mL corked bottle. Quite the beautiful site! This beer poured a deep opaque dark ruby with a fluffy white head with large bubble forming on the side. Nice Head retention throughout but towards the end of the beer the head shrunk to small islands floating on the liquid ruby. Nice lacing but poor for a Belgian.

The nose was full of dried grapes, sweet dark fruits, orange, clove and alcohol. A fantastic nose that hits you right away. Smelled totally delightful.

The flavor was very complex and this was an extreamly tasty beer however, the flavor didn't seem to overwhelm me. Flavors of dark fruits, bittersweet chocolate, sugars and sweet cherry candies spoke well.

I enjoyed this. I want another one.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2003 01:46:28 | More by Crosling

ADR

Pennsylvania

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

Opaque and very deep brown color, a mountain of bottle-conditioned head. Laces in simple blobs, however. Very pleasant chocolate covered strawberry aroma with a little zip of yeastiness. Highly carbonated, not usually something I like, but a nice match to the malt expression of fleshy pears and decided peach tones. Finishes with more astringency but with a pop of confectioner's sugar. In some ways, this reminds me of a Dubbel that finishes like a Duvel, a fine example of complexity and the brewing art. Very nice beer...

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2003 17:39:20 | More by ADR

mickeymac

California

4.38/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2003 version: lot no. 131484. Poured from a caged and corked 750 ml bottle, it pours a deep garnet with a foamy off-white head that leaves little bubbles on top of the beer after it fades a bit. Spicy smells are backed by subtle ripe fruit sweetness. Even a slight trace of mint is noticeable. The taste is equally complex and enoyable. The hops are just enough to give it a kick as the beer hits the back of the tongue. The creamy, effervescent body just enhances the experience. Wow, this and Affligem Noel in the same week. I'm in Belgian Christmas heavan.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2003 05:16:58 | More by mickeymac

86MonteSS

Connecticut

3.68/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A belgian dark ale indeed. Pours dark brownish red with a short lasting head. Smells very grassy and a little yeasty. Tastes like a basic belgian dark with a little more hops and a lot more alcoholic flavor. There's a bitter aspect to it that's very hard to describe, and I give up easy. Aftertaste is very slight.

I tried this for the first time about a year ago and must have gotten it mixed up with another beer because this time it wasn't at all what I expected. It's a good seasonal but doesn't tickle my fancy the way so many other winters have. Oh well.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2003 05:04:55 | More by 86MonteSS

lackenhauser

Maryland

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very nice beer indeed-Corsendonk Brown was one of the first Belgians I ever had.Pours a gorgeous deep ruby brown with a nice tan head atop.Aroma of spices-earthy and woody.Nice spicy taste-malty as well-theres a slight tartness in the finish.Good full moutfeel to it-I find the tartness a tad puckering but not in a bad way.The alchohol is well hidden I could see it sneaking up on you.A very decent example of a Belgian Dark-the neck label say "Belgian Quality" and I gotta go along with that.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2003 02:37:33 | More by lackenhauser

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.6/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Time and time again this beer continues to wow, me I am for certain that this beer is one of the most palatable and drinkable of all the Christmas ales, it's amazing stuff. Appearance: Mahogany amber brown in color with a lucious cocoa colored tan head, lacing is fine Belgian style lacing all the way. Aroma: Ginger, spruce tips possibly of hop origin scent, peppery zest blended with more Christmas spice accented by juicy fruit undertones, wow. Taste: Apples, raisins, and some slightly alcohol infused flavor but all in all the spices used ginger, nutmeg mild but kicks through with pure balance bringing some beer nirvana my way. Mouthfeel: Creamy textured with a medium body overall high carbonation but doesn't come off spritzy still very smooth and silky going down. Drinkability: God don't get me started I could indulge in two 750ml bottles of this fine ale effortlessly just a great Belgian Xmas ale to be shared and enjoyed with friends.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2003 12:54:37 | More by WVbeergeek

Jon

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Deep ruby color with a frothy white head. Excellent lace appears down the chalice. Fruity, malty nose with hints of spice, notably coriander and curacao, and a definite yeast presence. Sweet, fruity, lightly toasted character ties in with the spiced notes, though a bit lacking overall. Vinous character seems most dominant with emphasis on raisin, prunes and residual sugar from the the malt. Mouthfeel lacks a bit, too, seeming a bit thin and watery, especially on the finish. Drinks fairly well, though the mouthfeel is not overly appealing. Even so, the beer masks its abv well, making this a decent wintertime sipping beer. I think this beer would be much better at about six months in the bottle with the yeast poured in the glass.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2003 04:33:26 | More by Jon

freed

Oregon

4.3/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

slipped this in with my micro-seasonals. Poured much darker and gave off a very different aroma than the others. Mahogany hue with a sligth brown fizz for head. Aroma is somewhat alcoholic and somewhat malty. Slight fruity yeast smells, but overly alcoholic.

Taste is warm, rich, and pleasing. Sweet malt, thick body, and finishing tartness from the yeast. Alcohol isn't as apparent in the taste. Makes for an easy drink, and can be drawn out over long periods of time. This 12 bottle took me 75 minutes.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2003 01:09:28 | More by freed

beergeek279

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in the 750 mL bottle, in Corsendonk glasses. The color was a dark amber, with a good head. The smell was a strong spiced malt. The taste was very apple/raisins sweet, and very well spiced. Mouthfeel was smooth. Drinkability-wise, could definitely have a few more of these.

Mmm...another good holiday beer! A nice treat from a wonderful brewery that I already enjoy, and another beer I had the pleasure to split with my friend WVbeergeek.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2003 23:56:44 | More by beergeek279

crookedhalo

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Lovely treat. Had this one out of a 3 liter with an expiration date dated March 2003 (2000 vintage). Poured a hazy plum color with tinges of red if held to the light. Nice tan head that lasted and left a good lace. So yeasty in the 3 liter that it was almost opaque. Smelled of orange peel, corainder, cardimum, and dark berries (blackberry). Touch of dulled pine somewhere in the mix. Tasted malty, slightly spicy and sweet. 3 liters tend to be a bit yeasty, and this one was no exception. There was a faint tartness in the finish. Highly effervescent in wickedly drinkable for a Christmas seasonal. Thanx to a co-worker for sharing.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2003 07:18:29 | More by crookedhalo

aracauna

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark, dull, cloudy brown body with a decent super-light tan foamy head. The aroma and flavor are brown sugar and very fruity, but the flavor is overall pretty mellow. The flavors are a little dull and this kidn of slides into the middle of the pack of my Belgian strong ale experience.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2003 05:07:05 | More by aracauna

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Sampled on tap at "Christmas in July" at The Blind Tiger. Presumably 2002 vintage.

This ale poured a dark brown color with hints of red. The foam was tan and settled relatively quickly. The smell was vinous, with the smell of alcohol. The taste was slightly sweet malt but with caramel, oak, fig, and vinous grapes in the mix. The mouthfeel was smooth and light on the tongue. The body was medium and the carbonation low. This was a good, enjoyable strong ale.

Serving type: on-tap

07-18-2003 04:51:35 | More by UncleJimbo

Dogbrick

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

'Tisn't really the season but this beer would hit the spot no matter what time of year. Pours a dark reddish-brown color with a medium thick creamy beige head. Very little lacing. Aroma is well-spiced. Nice rich texture, with flavors of caramel, malt, alcohol, spices (pepper) and a little fruit. The finish is warm and earthy and just a little bitter. Overall this is a well-balanced yet complex seasonal that I will look for over the holidays.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2003 05:52:16 | More by Dogbrick