Corsendonk Christmas Ale - Brouwerij Corsendonk

Cyberkedi

Georgia

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

Comes out of the tap a translucent mahogany with a thick, fine-bubbled head. The rich, malty aroma has an undertone of cloves and caramel. Flavor is malty and spicy with a caramel undertone and hints of Coca-Cola and fruit. Texture is smooth, and finish is slightly sweet and pleasing.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2008 22:04:32 | More by Cyberkedi

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

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

Bottle shared by jayhawk73. Thanks Jeff.

The beer is a chestnut brown hue with hints of sunburst orange. The head is a light tan color, leaving plenty of lacing on the goblet. The aroma offers yeast, malt, alcohol, brown sugar. The flavor is distinctly Belgian. A bit sweet, but balanced by a bready, yeast character. Spritzy carbonation and medium bodied. A solid beer. I would definitely have this again.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 04:37:39 | More by Huhzubendah

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

RoyalT

Ohio

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

Appearance – Thick, hazy brown in color with a nice, tan head that left some cool pittings on top of the liquid.

Smell – The sharp yeast leads the way for this BSDA heavy-hitter. The malty yeast is huge and introduces a complex mix of dark fruits such as cherries, figs, and especially dates.

Taste – Man, oh, man, this is a hearty brew. The sugars come out big time at the taste, sweetening up the already fruity compliment to this monster malt base. This is Belgian yeast at its finest.

Mouthfeel – Full with a nice, mildly fluffy mouthfeel. Incredible.

Drinkability – This is EXACTLY my idea of a Belgian winter ale. I’ll call it a night and dream of these flavors.

Comments – Similar to the Unibroue Maldite, if you like that (and if you don’t then go away).

Update – I bought a bottle of this in 2008 and cellared it for three years. – opened in May 2011 and it still could stand another three years put away. It’s sugared up a little bit more but nothing like I thought. Fortunately this is a great ale all the way around. And again the real highlight for me is the incredible mouthfeel. The head also come up much nicer than I remember so I upped that score 0.50.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2004 04:31:34 | More by RoyalT

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

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

A. Served ontap into a Corsendonk Christmas snifter. Dark brown abbey ale with a light tan head.

S. Whiffs of dark fruits and candi sugar, some distant booze.

T. Dark plums, very ripe apples, sweet malts. Adequetly hopped to balance. Baked apple pie, brown sugar. As it warms more of the fruityness comes out.

M. Medium bodied and slightly chewey.

D. This is probably my favorite Christmas beer. I think last years was better, but that was after some aging. Nice stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2008 08:39:18 | More by Stinkypuss

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a clean deep amber color with a light tan head. In the aroma, sweet cinnamon and hints of corriander. In the taste, dry cinnamon and hints of other Christmassy spices that blend together. A small spicey bite in the mouthfeel, and a dry cinnamon in the aftertaste. Hides the alcohol and mellow enough for newbies, but alway a very tasty beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-26-2007 20:55:14 | More by OWSLEY069

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

gford217

Georgia

4.3/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark ruddy brown in the glass which actually shows through as a deep, clear copper when held up to light. The head is enormous and fluffy, hanging on for the duration as a big cap and solid lacing.

Aroma is sweet with candi sugar, raisins and roasted malts. There is also a significant Christmas spice presence with the Belgian yeast adding to that character.

The taste is excellent with a mixture of caramelized sugar, dark fruits and even more spice presence than the aroma suggests - clove and cinnamon especially.

The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied and sticks to the palate after each sip.

Sugar and spice and everything nice in this Christmas ale. It's one of the better winter brews I've had this season. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2010 04:37:57 | More by gford217

scruffwhor

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance- a very clear brown with lots of rubyhighlights throughout. OK bubbling, good head and sparse lacing throughand through. ooks more like an English Brown ale than a Belgian.

Smell- Made me think of fruit cake with a shotof brandy to warm the chest and stomach.

Taste- Starts with wet, figgy malts that subside to darker, carmalized fruits with a touch ofsome roast. Brown sugar apple plumspice to finish.

Mouthfeel-You don't se that much carbonation, bout you can feel it. Balanced and easy to drink, especially for 8.5% abv.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2007 01:19:31 | More by scruffwhor

ZAP

Minnesota

4.55/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a cloudy brownish/amber...nose is very interesting...dark fruits combine with a pudding like smell....body is a little too thin in my opinion but is very drinkable, and smooth. A lovely milk chocolate flavor emerges first and is followed by dark fruits....sweet ripe plums are definitelyevident...some subtle spicing (ginger?)makes this even more tasty...I love this beer...a great Christmas beer but also just a great beer on its own...the Alcohol is not noticable on the taste but it warms you up...a great tummy warmer and my tummy is needed a lot of warming these days..

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2002 22:12:17 | More by ZAP

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I enjoyed a tulip of this served on tap at the Market Cross Pub in Carlise
This review is taken from notes I made.

A - Ruby, Chestnut Hue. Thin white wisp of a head.

S - Wine like, fruity esters and bready with a slighty spiced aroma.
.
T - Dates and sugar with a slightly alcoholic presence up front. Minimal wood essence is evident.

M - Thin and light for the amount of gravity it contains, warmth of alcohol in the finish.

D - A pleasant holiday beer, not overpowering, but substantial and nicely balanced with just enough spice and sweetness complimenting the yeasty aromas.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2007 14:21:06 | More by Slatetank

cokes

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

BB: 16 09 2004
Gorgous looking deep amber with a plump dollop of a beige head. Good retention, medium lacing.
Nose is a mixed-bag of candied belgian sweetness and musty cork notes. Rubber materializes as well. Decent, but wierd.
Taste is more subtle than expected, but lovely all the same. Begins with a caramelized peach-like essense. Fades to a oversweet butterscotch, then into a chocolate pudding. More fruits here as the plums enter with force. Becomes a little bready late, in a cinnamon-roll sort of way. Hops add little besides a dry finish.
Medium bodied. Not a whole lot of carbonation. Smooth, if perhaps on the thin side for a holiday brew.
Nevertheless, for 8+% brew, this is staggeringly drinkable....literally.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2002 23:25:52 | More by cokes

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

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Best by 26 August 2012, picked up for 75cents a couple of weeks back. From notes.

Clear mahogany with a dense, khaki-colored head with excellent retention, this beer looks very good. There is no lacing, but patches of foam do stick to the side of my glass. The nose is great. Yeasty, this has a spicy, mildly fruity kick with raisins, prunes, molasses, brown sugar and a little bit of stale cinnamon. Sweetness is reserved, I also get a mild tobacco-like aroma. The yeast character is strong, lending a fairly hefty spice presence to the nose.
The palate opens spicy and fruity with a bit of burnt sugar and cola. Again, the prunes and molasses come through, but this isn't a sweet beer. Quite the opposite, this finishes quite dry. The mid-palate really carries the fruit, and coupled with the strong yeast character, it brings to mind an almost tropical fruit-like intensity. As it warms, the malt complexity does grow, getting a mild dark caramel character to go with the prunes and burnt sugar.Dry with an earthy, leathery malt character, the alcohol is very well hidden here. Spicy and yeasty on the finish, this beer is medium-light on the palate with a high level of carbonation, much higher than I care for, REALLY foaming up in my mouth. This does get distracting fairly quickly, and this is this beers only significant flaw. Solid stuff, I would not hesitate to drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 02:31:00 | More by DefenCorps

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

bark

Sweden

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

The colour is dark brown-red, the beige foam is finger thick and quite light. The liquid is clear.

The smell is very fruity with flavours of brown sugar, aroma hops and candy sugar. There is also a hint of acid candy.

The carbonation is nice - rather soft with small bubbles. Creamy!

The taste is soft yet complex: Lots of sweet notes of brown and candy sugar, dried fruits (apricots?), berries, some hints of yeast and a somewhat sour touch. The aftertaste is filled of pleasant sweet malt and a slowly growing bitterness to accomplish the sweetness. The high alcoholic level surprised me, as the smell and taste didn’t reveal it at all.

This must be an extraordinary after dinner-beer!

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2004 14:26:31 | More by bark

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.55/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

8.5 oz bottle poured into a Corsendonk Christmas Ale glass.
8.5% ABV, Best before end 07/09/11 printed on back label

A - Poured with care to leave the bottle's undoubtedly thick sediment behind, this beer produces a creamy light tan head that froths up to a sizable stature. Chunky lace delicately blankets the glass like powdery snow on an evergreen. The dark cherry wood beer is still hazy despite the pour but by the beer's lighter toasted oak base carbonation can be seen rushing from a nucleation point, feeding the tall head.

S - Exotic and voluptuous Corsendonk Christmas Ale gushes with dark fruits and sweetness. Caramelized dark candi sugar is reminiscent of warm brown sugar and molasses with a touch of smoke while the earthy yeast nose presents fig, candied date, and a touch of prune juice. Malty and smooth, the nose of this beer is warm and inviting!

T - Not unlike the aroma, Corsendonk Christmas Ale has a powerful fruit aspect that ties the fig, date, and prune into more sweetness than the nose lets on. Brown sugar, dark candi sugar, caramel and toffee overlap a touch faint touch of smoked malt that lingers with the earthy and dry toasted malts before a faint touch of alcohol spice trails off.

M - Corsendonk Christmas Ale starts with a nice smooth feel but succumbs to a blast of heavy carbonation, which I find actually detracts from the flavor of the beer, scrubbing the tongue profusely (though, on the other hand, makes it a prime candidate to pair with dinner). Soothing feeling, this medium-full bodied beer has a delicate warming alcohol finish.

O - Best By date? HA! This precious beer has been sitting in the basement for over 3 years and doesn't show any signs of degradation; instead, expanding on it's fantastic Belgian yeast characteristics wonderfully. Dark fruit and sweet nuances play off the dry, toasted malt for a nearly perfect dark ale that soothes with every sip, warming gently from within. Make this a Christmas staple. I think I'll have to get a large bottle for my celebration!

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2012 01:02:46 | More by BeerFMAndy

tpd975

Florida

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

A: Pours a nice egg plant color with a rather weak tan head. The head dies to a collar and leaves some spotty lace.

S: Nice blast of malt and yeast. This is a Belgian Xmas ale no doubt. Tons of dark fruit adn hints of spice especially nutmeg.

T: Taste matches the aroma to a T with the addition of caramelized brown sugar.

M: Full bodied and syrupy.

D: Drinkable, but a 750ml is a bit much for one.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2008 21:55:19 | More by tpd975

LilBeerDoctor

New York

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

Reviewed on 2/19/08.. Bottle. Pours a dark ruby/brown with a small light colored head. Aroma of Belgian yeasts and fruits. Tastes of apples, pears, bubblegum, spices. Strong spices in the finish. A very good, very drinkable beer. I could drink this all day...
8/4/9/4/16 (4.1/5)

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2008 18:50:58 | More by LilBeerDoctor

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle with a best before end date of 9/18/2008. Served in a snifter, the beer pours a brown/ruby color with a half inch off-white head. It smells like citrus, spices, dark fruit, bread, bananas and pears. It tastes very fruity, like dark fruit, pears and bananas, and also like pepper, cloves and Belgian yeast. Mouthfeel is medium/full, but a bit over-carbonated to me. Drinkability is OK, it's smooth but the high carbonation cuts down on the drinkability. Overall I think this is a decent beer, but I think it would be better if the carbonation was lower. But even then, I'd still drink it again given the chance.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2007 01:16:20 | More by bluejacket74

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap (12/24/04). I've also had this from a bottle on multiple occasions.

Poured a medium to darker brown color with an averaged sized, off white head. Aromas of spices, fruity, and malty. Tastes of the same spices, fruty, brown sugar, and malty. I wrote down that I enjoyed this X-Mas brew.

Notes from: 7/12/04

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2009 14:18:53 | More by hopdog

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

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

GClarkage

California

3.85/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

01/08/05- Purchased at Mollie Stones in Burlingame, CA

Presentation- 750ml bottle with no date. Poured into my Duvel glass.

Appearance- Lovely thick white head, dark brown semi cloudy pour and wonderful lacing.

Smell- Much dark fruits (plums, raisins, dates), and plenty of spices including cinnimon and ginger root.

Taste- Fairly metallic and a tad stale tasting. Plenty of raisin and date flavors. Good amount of cinnimon and a bit of dark chocolate.
Liquorice is present also. Very flavorful, but a bit cardboard stale tasting.

Mouthfeel- Fairly full and chewy consistency. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability- THis one would be a pretty darn good one except for the metallic and stale issue. It wasn't super stale, but enough to throw off the taste buds and knock it down a notch.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2005 20:56:34 | More by GClarkage

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.2/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Lovely, heavenly beer! A masterpiece. Pours with a nice fine head that lasts for a while but eventually mostly dissapears. Plenty of lace. Nice dark brown with strong red highlights. Spicey fruity malty nose. Good carbonation. Warming. Excellent mouth witth an extended finish.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2007 03:58:38 | More by drpimento