Corsendonk Christmas Ale - Brouwerij Corsendonk

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

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

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

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.7/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2oz. bottle served in my St. Bernardus chalice. Best before 21/09/14 indicated on the back label. Pours a deep mahogany with a dense, fluffy, 1.5 inch, cream-colored head that eventually settles into a sold, quarter inch cap. Sheets of lacing appear on the tilt side of the glass leaving residual spots and strands of lacing as it disperses. Nose reminds me of concord grape jelly off the bottle pop; however this dissipates into a faint vinous quality. Yeast and a light earthy/herbal quality add a complementary component. Taste follows nose; however, I also get a slightly metallic character in the flavor profile towards the back which somewhat kills it for me. Mouthfeel is light-medium in consistency with a pleasant, easy carbonation and a slightly creamy texture. Overall, a decent BSD; however, the metallic flavor really negatively impacts an otherwise good brew. That said, alcohol is really well-hidden at 8.5%. I've been wanting to try this beer for a while but I have to say that I'm a little disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 01:38:10 | More by Jwale73

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep amber color with about two fingers of off-white fluffy head that mostly remains throughout the beer.

The scent is full of fruit, citrus, and spices.

The taste is of dark fruit, some citrus, some brown sugar, cinnamon, there is hardly any alcohol presence.

Full body, a little creamy feel, moderate carbonation.

This was a very good beer, very nice flavor. I may add this to my list of must have holiday beers.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2011 15:48:21 | More by BeerCon5

gfreed

Massachusetts

3.38/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Relative to other beer from Corsendonk, this is rather uninteresting: it has a flat flavor that wants to be like the palen but doesn't quite have the muscle or the yeast. Relative to other christmas-themed beer in general, however, this is spectacular because it isn't larded with spices and herbs. It's mildly fizzy and has a decent, if understated maltiness that could use a bit of a boost in the flavor and the density. I would like to have had a bit more warmth and zing; nonetheless it's worth a single bottle. I wouldn't invest in a four-pack.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 02:52:16 | More by gfreed

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

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

Quite a handsome beer. Ruby amber in color that is very clear. Nice carbonation with curtins of carbo bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass. A sight to behold. Quite a tall foam cap with ample lacing.
Aroma is rich and malty, dark. Also, candied sugar and yeast.
The taste is malty and robust with some breadiness as well. Also present is candied sugar hints of dark fruits and toffee. Drinks very easily and smooth.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 12:53:25 | More by micromaniac129

Hex92

Virginia

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

A- dark brown, but the light will penetrate through.
S- mmm good. Smells like ginger bread, maybe fruit cake too.
T- nice strong dark ale with extra spice flavors. Not overpowering with the spice, just the right mix.
M- perfect. Just the right balance of coating on your mouth.

Overall a great beer. I will buy this one again, probably soon...since the wife tried it and wouldn't give it back....so I only got to drink half of the beer :-)

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 02:24:47 | More by Hex92

OlRasputin989

Arkansas

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

Poured into Duvel tulip...

A: pours a hazy dark brown with a thick tan head. leaves globs of lacing here and there as it slowly settles

S: aromas of dark fruits(raisins, plums), orange peel, brown sugar, clove, cinnamon, and black pepper

T: semi-sweet with flavors of brown sugar and raisin bread. the spice really dominates the pallate here with loads of the aforementioned spices. boozy raisins and spice finish it off.

M: medium full body with a lush carbonation and an off-dry, warming finish.

Overall, a beer worthy not only as a christmas ale but would be great as a christmas gift. This is a brew to share with someone you love during the holidays.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 03:00:31 | More by OlRasputin989

ShogoKawada

Rhode Island

4.18/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

11.2 oz into tiny saison glass. best before 24/09/14.

A- Nice clarity, brown in the glass but almost red in the light. Big billowy tan head that stays and stays. Nice top ring as the head settles.

S- Lots of dark bread. Ripe red apples and lots of undefined christmas spice.

t- The brown malty bread comes on strong, sweet and a bit spicy in the finish. Dark fruit is there but is pretty mellow.

M- A little warm going down, but it is enjoyable.

O- I liked it- an enjoyable and unique beer. I might have to tuck a few of these away for some emergency holiday cheer.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 23:31:42 | More by ShogoKawada