Corsendonk Christmas Ale - Brouwerij Corsendonk

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

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

A: 1/2" tan head over mahogony liquid.

S: Grapes, cherries, figs and pears.

T: Lemon, grass, cherries, figs, pears, and dark grapes.

M: Medium to thin viscosity and a medium level of fine carbonation.

O: The hop presence in this Christmas beer sets it apart from most others. The yeast is very tasty as well.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 01:33:39 | More by DaftCaskBC

dahlen22

New Jersey

4.63/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Deep amber with a copious amount of head.

Aroma: Fruitcake and corriander.

Taste: Ok...have had this beer so many times that I have lost count. However, this review is different b/c I put a bottle from last Christmas (2011) in the cellar and just popped the cork. This is truly amazing after 9 months in the cellar. Cherries, corriander, dark fruits, fruit cake with an almost sherry-port like finish. Smooth and creamy and oh so easy to drink.

Overall: This beer is tops in the Christmas beer market...that being said, put in the cellar for 9 months (or more), this beer is an A+. Good thing I have a few more in the cellar from last Christmas ; )

Cheers!!

Serving type: growler

08-09-2012 21:13:17 | More by dahlen22

soulfly1492

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aroma: Lots of dark fruits. Caramel, molasses, good amount of alcohol. Some bitter pine and floral English hops. Good dose of darker Munich malt. some mild roasty black malt perhaps.

Appearance: Deep, near opaque purple, like a beat juice! Very large light brown head. Great retention and tons of lacing.

Taste: Dates and plums. Roasty malts. Very mild piney and floral hops. Pilsner and Munich malt bitterness. Good bit of residual sugars. Moderate alcohol flavor comes out as it warms up. Mild wortiness.

Mouthfeel: Moderate to high carbonation. Stinging bubbles. Medium body. Mildly warming, but fitting as this gets the Christmas Ale label.

Overall: Good Belgian Strong Dark Ale. A bit of wortiness from dark malts and a nice dose of a warming sensation.

Consumed on 4/21/2012. Bottle dated 9/13/2014.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 00:33:09 | More by soulfly1492

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

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

250ml bottle served in a Trappist glass.

A: Pours a dark amber to brown color forming a big creamy beige head. Medium retention and many lacings left. Quite clear

S: Delicious bready and fruity smell. Brown sugar, caramel malts, Belgian yeasts, dark fruits. Strong notes of dry plums and dry raisins

S: Like the nose, brown bread, dark dry fruits, brown sugar, Belgian yeasts and licorice. Upfront is very sweet candy sugar. Yeasts are quite earthy. End is mild bitter

M: Creamy heavy molasses body. Reasonable carbonation. Light hoppy and bready aftertaste. Warm alcohol

O: Authentic Belgian ale. Well done. Very tasty and drinkable

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 20:16:45 | More by eduardolinhalis

MatthewWilde

Massachusetts

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

Sample: 1 bottle 2002 (aged 9 years)

A: Very brownish red (garnet-like), strong head when poured which became a nice light head during drinking, moderate internal carbonation (even after such long aging)

S: Sweet, almost floral, definite traces of alcohol, some vanilla notes, dried fruit, cherries, not incredibly fragrant, however

T: Lightly fruity, some citrus, almost a bit creamy, nice tartness and sweetness, not very bitter at all

M: Quite light in the mouth, easy to drink even at 8.5% abv, hardly any aftertaste, doesn't wear on the mouth

O: A great all-around brew, probably a bit past its peak at this point but still delicious nonetheless

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 04:06:44 | More by MatthewWilde

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2006 vintage at Kulminator. Poured into a mini snifter. Low head and retention. Of course considering the age.  Dark, dark ruddy brown body. Aroma dominated by brown sugar, molasses, raisins, port and vanilla. Taste is malty sweet, caramel, vanilla. Low carbonation. Zero alcohol. None. This is a great example of why people have cellars. Perfect. 

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 23:59:25 | More by KickbacksSteve

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

ianjsullivan

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review is written from notes that were jotted down while drinking.

12: 11.2oz poured into a Duvel glass. Bottle lists ABV and DBD.

A: Dark brown, half-a-fingernail off white sits on top with decent lacing.

S: Malt, dark fruit, brown sugar, milk, and chocolate.

T: Dark fruit (raisin and plum), clove, orange peel, sugar, yeasty chocolate, and cake.

M: Heavy and very smooth.

O: The alcohol is blended well, it has wonderful flavor, and a great mouthfeel. Truly, this is an excellent beer and a great Christmas treat.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 00:58:22 | More by ianjsullivan

Brabander

Netherlands

3.8/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I bought this beer in december last year to have some Christmas beer for the holidays. I completely forgot to drink this beer and just found it in the fridge. Best before october 2012.

Poured in my Struise glass this beers starts very well. Deepdarkbrown fluid and a four finger head. Watch out for a little gusher, i had one.

Smell of sweetness and a bit of caramel from the burned malts. Some koriander and other spices.

Taste is normal for a Christmasbeer, i have had better ones than this one but also much worser ones. Just a good brew in it's league.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 17:03:07 | More by Brabander

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

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2009 vintage, been cellaring. pours a redish hued sappy brown color, like a maple leaf. smells very boozy with notes of vanilla, sweet malts, and holiday spice. flavor peppers in some dried fruit tones and a big rich mouthfeel. not as carbonated as a fresh one might be, but it lends a nice mellow character here. belgian yeast floating around inside a little bit, imparting a slightly funky finish. good but not incredible holiday brew

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 22:41:17 | More by StonedTrippin

Darkmagus82

Montana

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

Poured from bottle into a Leffe goblet glass

Appearance - Pours a lighter brown which looks deep red upon holding up to light. The big (~ 2 finger) tan "dirty" looking head that forms upon pouring is quite persistent and lasts for about 1 min or more. The large carbonation bubbles pop slowly over time leaving a fair level of lacing.

Smell - A sweet breadiness is the first to be scented. It mixes with a yeasty dried fruit smell which eventually comes to include a bit of spiciness near the end. Right at the finish of the aroma is some alcohol, nothing too overpowering and actually quite soothing.

Taste - The taste profile follows the smell quite well. Some sweet maltiness is meet first with dried fruits mixed into the breadiness. The yeast, which is present along with the maltines,s fades toward the back end of the taste, where the alcohol and spiciness of nutmeg and cinnamon work their way in.

Mouthfeel - A good creaminess with a nice level of carbonation which tickles the tongue. This tickling is soon subdued with the lightest burn of alcohol. Very nice transitions.

Overall - A nice holiday brew to sit and sip in front of an open fireplace while relaxing and collecting your thoughts.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 00:35:07 | More by Darkmagus82

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber into the Corsendonk Christmas Ale glass- pours an opaque nutty brown color. This beer is very active and has a two finger head with good retention and some lacing; the foam is a light tan color and creamy. It smells of yeast, malted barely and a hint of molasses and alcohol. This is a very sweet beer- it tastes much like it smells. The most wonderful part of this brew in my opinion is the full carbonation that supports the alcohol sweetness. It's very refreshing. Definitely a beer worth buying and something I would get again.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 04:48:12 | More by Hopdaemon39

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

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

Poured into my crystal mug, the beer is a deep, clear, mahogany brown. It forms a three finger high bubbly beige head. It dissipates within five minutes into very nice lacing.
The smell is very malty and has lots of dark fruit flavor. There is some tartness in the smell, which probably stems from the yeast.
Tasting the beer, the front is very malty and is rich on caramel and brown sugar. In the middle the dark fruit flavors dominate with fig, date and plum, but being held back a little by this mellow tartness of the yeast. The finish is a mild hop, spiced with some Christmas spices.
Very nice full bodied Christmas ale, which I will buy again tomorrow for aging in my beer cellar.
A must drink for the beer advocate.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 04:16:08 | More by Hopfenpeter

ksimons

New York

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

A-pours a dark ruby with dark brown highlights, two fingers worth of a rocky light tan head

S-the smell if very malty with lots of dark fruit and finishes off with some holiday spices. There is also a light tartness to the smell.

T-tastes similar to the smell with predominant dark fruit that gives a slight tartness, rich malts, and spices. Alcohol is well hidden, gives a nice warming.

M-medium to full body, moderate carbonation, silky smooth

Overall a great Christmas beer, one that I will look for again.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 23:02:40 | More by ksimons

bum732

Maryland

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

S: Breadiness with some earthiness, mushrooms almost. Slight spiciness, cinnamon mostly. Sweet brown sugar, touch of root beer.

L: Clear reddish brown, huge creamy light tan head with amazing retention and lacing.

T: Relatively clean malt with some residual brown sugar. Some breadiness persists along with some spicing. Toasted marshmellow and creme brulee. Lots of root beer as well. Finishes semi-sweet with some light spicing.

M: Medium bodied, medium carbonation.

Liked it, very subtle flavor, but works well as an X-mas ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 05:13:44 | More by bum732

DreamInOrange

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 750 ml bottle with a best by date of 9/22/14 into a tulip glass

A- 1/4 inch thick off-white heady, very frothy. Dark amber in color with evident carbonation.

S- Candied fruit and sweet alcohol

T- Nice balance of candied fruit, chocolate, and spice. Quick taste of the alcohol at the swallow. Really smooth.

M- Really great carbonation, slightly slick.

O- Great example of this style, definitely would go back to this beer

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 01:16:03 | More by DreamInOrange

57md

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours brown with ruby hints. There are two healthy fingers of head (boy, is this a live beer) and the retention and lacing are top notch. The nose has an unpleasant cidery element to it. Malt and berries are the upfront flavors and the finish is slightly bitter with a dose of alcohol warmth.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 07:49:45 | More by 57md

jtierney89

New Jersey

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

Pours a clear dark dark auburn color with a very active off white head.

Big candied dark fruit sweetness on the nose. Some chocolate cover marmalade is present on the nose as well. Smells like the chocolate shop I used to work at on the seaside boardwalk (which actually smelt more like fruit than chocolate)

Chocolate covered fruit sweetness up front with a slight tart sweetness almost like a strawberry. Tropical fruits are present along with the traditional dark fruits which is unique. Slightly spicy up front with a very good balance. Hop finish cuts a lot of the sweetness leaving the perfect amount left over. Some cake like sweetness is present as well.

Definitely a nice sweet fruity beer. Not my favorite belgian strong dark ale but definitely up there with some of my favorite belgians.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 05:24:16 | More by jtierney89

JCaweinstein

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Deep reddish brown color, crystal cleary with lots of carbonation. Two finger creamy white head with long lasting retention. It's pretty.
I smell fruit, plums, clove, and other spices. It's a very festive smell which is very fitting.
I'm getting a deep and rich fruity flavor. It tastes of raisins, sprices, and a slight hint of hops. It's a little bready too.
This is a crisp and medium bodied and coats the mouth. It's very smooth with a nice fruity finish.
This is a very nice Christmas ale. It's complex in both flavor and aroma and feels good going down. I would buy this again next season.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2011 03:55:34 | More by JCaweinstein

Dasa1044

New York

5/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Picked this up as a Christmas gift, and shared gift with the happy recipient!

Pour: Dark brown, almost black. Not as thick as expected building a nice head.

Nose: Subtle spices, and mildly hoppy smell. Very pleasant.

Taste: Much lighter taste than the alcohol content would suggest. Definitely a surprise. Lot's of great flavors to discern. Cloves, Cinnamon and nuts.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth, not thick at all, very lively carbonation.

Overall: It really made the perfect Christmas gift. A beer to savior.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 15:55:17 | More by Dasa1044

GPHarris

Alabama

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

2010 vintage

a - poured a three-fingers thick light tan head into a tulip glass that left great lacing and sheeting throughout. the beer billows nicely as well. the body was a bright mahogany with red tints.
s - clove, cinnamon, yeast, cake.
t - dark fruits like plums and cherries with a hint of spice.
m - thick and coating.
o - very complex and delicious seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 15:52:13 | More by GPHarris

superspak

Michigan

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

250 ml bottle into signature globe glass, best by 09/13/2014. Pours crystal clear dark reddish brown color with a nice 3 finger dense khaki head with insane retention that reduces to a thick cap eventually. Nice soapy lacing clings to the glass as well. Aromas of big dark fruit, molasses, caramel, clove, cinnamon, light pepper, and spicy yeast. Very nice and well balanced aromas. Taste of big molasses, caramel, raisin, candi sugar, bread, clove, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, and spicy yeast. Lingering notes of fruit, caramel, molasses, and spices on the finish for a bit. Medium-high carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a very creamy and super smooth mouthfeel. Alcohol is insanely well hiden with hardly any warming noticed at all. Drinks incredibly easily. Incredible flavor balance and complexity. Overall this is an incredible Belgian dark ale for the holiday season. So much incredible flavor balance, with super smooth drinkability. I am glad I picked up the 6 pack gift set.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 07:45:53 | More by superspak

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

Immortale25

Florida

4.05/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a small glass. Label says best by the end of 22/09/14 which means September 22nd, 2014 since the Europeans put their dates in a different order.

A- Pours a black color that turns a reddish hue when put up to the light with 3/4 of an inch of off-white head that relinquishes to an 1/8 inch ring around the glass's edge and has some nice, sticky lacing.

S- A very apparent pear smell ascends and is quite pleasant. Other notes of apple as well as the ever-present Belgian yeast.

T- Pears come through in the flavor just as well but give way to a pretty strong metallic taste that I don't appreciate. Plenty of banana notes from the yeast but it's buried a bit quickly by the heavy malt base. Some spice makes an appearance but isn't one of the main components of the profile. Bit of a soapy taste when I swish.

M- Soft, yet bold with medium-high carbonation.

O- You can't ask for much more in a Belgian winter ale. Not a lot of Christmas spices or herbs but still memorable and comforting

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 03:03:47 | More by Immortale25