Bush De Noël - Brasserie Dubuisson Frères sprl

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 8.48 oz. bottle into a Duvel tulip glass. Can't tell which year this was bottled, but it was purchased very recently.

Appearance: Pours a deep and hazy amber orange with a fair amount of sediment. Moderate bubbles and about one finger of off white head that quickly fades into a few thin patches. Leaves a decent amount of lacing.

Smell: Nicely spicy and fruity Belgian aroma. Belgian yeast with a fair amount of clove and pepper spices. Big toasted malt aroma with hints of caramel, toffee, oak, and biscuit. Burnt Belgian candied sugars. Hints of apple and subtle banana. Lots of undertones of dark fruits including raisin, fig, dark cherry, plum, and grapes. A fairly hot scent of booze. Nice complex aroma.

Taste: Like the aroma hints, a good Belgian taste of sweet dark malts, yeast, and fruits. Belgian yeast with some clove and pepper like spicing. Toasted malts with a good taste of bready biscuit, sweet caramel, toffee, toast, and a little oak. Candied Belgian sugars. Complex notes of fruits including apple, pear, banana, and a variety of dark fruits including raisin, dark grapes, figs, dark cherry, plum, and dates. Alcohol heat is noticeable but fairly tame.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with a moderate amount of carbonation. Creamy, juicy, and fairly smooth. Alcohol heat is present but still pretty smooth considering its 12%.

Overall: Another really good Belgian ale. Big and fruity while still maintaining some smoothness.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 08:56:16 | More by MattyG85

Sigmund

Norway

4.4/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

250 ml Scaldis Noël bottle, bought at Borough Market, London. Pours with an an enormous lingering head, beer is clear, colour is deep reddish amber. Aroma of dark rum, sherry, oak, raisins, spices. Flavour is very sweet with dried fruits and whisky elements, but a distinct spiciness and decent hops prevent it from falling in the "cloying sweet & undrinkable" ditch. Alcoholic warmth in the mouthfeel, as expected from a 12% ABV beer, but not overwhelming or unpleasant. A very fine Christmas special in my book.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2005 20:51:37 | More by Sigmund

belenita

British Columbia (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Reddish, runny, maple syrup. Little foam that diminishes quickly, lacing on the edge.

S - spicy, cherry, like Dr. Pepper

T - Dates, dried cherry, prunes, somewhat peppery, a bit sweet

M - nice light/medium carbonation with a smooth finish

D - Yes, probably the best Christmas beer I've had yet.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2010 03:09:44 | More by belenita

basica

Singapore

4.4/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a translucent dark red color, reminiscent of red wine, with a thick, foamy tan head, medium retention, and some fizzling below (4.5)

S - Intense brown sugar sweetness and maltiness on the nose with loads of caramel and fruity suggestions of ripe berries. A light swirl releases substantial notes of alcohol onto the nose (4.5)

T - Syrupy brown sugar sweetness upfront with notes of caramel and molasses; fruity phenols with suggestions of dates, plums, berries and raisin amidst a rich malt background. Substantial alcholic notes show up in the middle, gradually fading off towards a sweet, fruity and phenolic finish (4.5)

M - Medium-bodied thickness at most; slightly thin for a high ABV beer like this; a tad syrupy-textured with a pleasant creamy smoothness and significant alcohol warming (4.5)

D - At 12% ABV and hardly hiding the alcohol, this beer feels fairly liquorish and it seems like it is an interesting cross between a Barley Wine and a Belgian Strong Dark ale. Nonetheless undeniably great nose, flavor and feel; probably not a session but definitely an experience (4)

Procured online from BelgianShop.com for the Christmas season and consumed on December 26, 2010.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 08:26:08 | More by basica

flannelman808

California

4.4/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

loooong overdue for this one... so I had it fresh.

2011 vintage (most recent)

A: Burnt copper orange rose with good clarity. A thin white foam rims around the glass. poor-ok retention and poor lacing.

S: A breath of burnt orange peel followed by a waft of Werther's Original in the best sort of way. Macintosh apple and butterscotch.

T: Sweet rock candy broken up with lots of carbonation slowly smoothing out and resolving with a medley of ripe fruit. Black Plum, Bosc pear, and orange zest come to mind albeit faintly. Warming alcohol brings a numbing sensation to the gums and helps to further balance the sweet aforementioned flavors also leaving a suggestion of eucalyptus.

M: Rich meets the divided sky

O: One of my favorite belgian holiday beers if not my top selection. Price has fluctuated a little bit recently which is of some concern, however, as I review this it's cheaper than it was last year. I've yet to try this aged sadly and feel it may develop into something quite different and perhaps even better. aging potential shot in the dark... 2 - 6 years.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 05:39:26 | More by flannelman808

ujsplace

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a chalice.

This brew is a deep orange - almost brown colored brew that has a foamy white head. The head recedes quickly, but leaves a nice coverlet on top with some clingy lacing on the sides of the glass.

Smells of cherries, plums, raisins and sweet candied malts.

Tastes spicy with lots of dark fruits up front, followed by a nice candied malt that leads to a dry alcohol finish. A complex ride. Letting it warm makes the flavors a bit more pronounced. A delicious brew. Such greatness in a small bottle.

Medium, chewy mouthfeel. Lively carbonation.

I love the style and this one does not disappoint in the least bit. I received this as a gift (thanks!) and this is truly one to look for again next year.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 02:21:51 | More by ujsplace

bump8628

Oklahoma

4.4/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A nice beer for cold winter nights, but the dinky 8.5oz bottles are still on shelves around here in June, so I picked one up. Rich with dark fruit and malts - plum, toffee, burnt sugar, molasses, figgy pudding (just kidding). Good balance between sweet and dry/bitter. Some spice adds complexity - clove, coriander, and nutmeg flavors. Alcohol definitely flexes, but not too much for the style. This would definitely knock me out on Christmas Eve. A Belgian Dark Strong with an English Barleywine slant. Good for the occasional treat. I might pick up a few for cellaring if only it was bottle conditioned.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2012 19:50:17 | More by bump8628

cocojoe

Oregon

4.4/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Murky Amber Brown color. Very thin tan head that dissipates quickly.

S: Brown sugar, red grapes, figs, sweet molasses

T: Caramel, Brown sugar, caramelized bananas, belgian yeast notes attempting to break through, but are immediately cut by the very sweet dark fruit notes. Alcohol is prevalent and warming on the way down.

M: Kind of watery actually. Not necessarily in a bad way, but not as thick as I expected. Really helpful actually. Helps balance out the strong sweet qualities.

O: About as easy drinking as a beer of this high of alcohol could be. Love the aroma and flavor notes. Compared to other really strong dark belgian ales I have had, this does a great job of using that belgian yeast to add a lot of complex notes, without the yeast notes being to overwhelming compared to the dark, sweet body.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 06:21:26 | More by cocojoe

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Scaldis Noel
A 12% abv seasonal winter brew from Bush/Scaldis, most recently enjoyed last September after a tour of Dubuisson. Poured a miniscule 25cl bottle into twin goblets, barely 4 oz. each for me and my wife and enjoyed at our weekend getaway at the Oregon Coast, 02/25/07.

A: Caramel/ruby, generally clear, with a soap-bubble looking, eggshell-colored ½ finger head. Tiny fizzy carbonation produces a wisp of film on-top, a thin lacy gauze.

S: Mild, sweetly booze-soaked fruit. Rich, slightly burnt caramel. Sugary candy sweetness, through and through.

T: A very nice Christmas/holiday beer (despite it being two months to the day from Christmas). Huge syrupy caramel flavor, slightly browned & with lots of added cinnamon and nutmeg spiciness. Dry herbal finish, surprisingly bitter. Alcohol (rum) covered raisins – heat and hops burn almost like a barleywine. A delicious mouthfull.

M: Spicy, hot & tingly in the mouth. Big alcohol, developing on the tongue – wow! Medium/full mouthfeel and slightly carbonated.

D: A very tasty winter sipper…perfect in small doses on a rainy, chilly afternoon. Nice warming alcohol, a spicy & sweet treat. A seasonal to look forward to every year when the temperatures drop. And since we were playing games while we drank this, I shall christen it with a hearty “Yahtzee!".

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2007 02:38:40 | More by msubulldog25

Wasatch

Utah

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to slcbrewer for this one.

Poured into a chalice a cloudy dark amber color, nice carbonation, nice little creamy off-white head, some nice islands and sticky lacing throughtout the drink. The nose is malty, prunes, figs, raisins, tangy/sweet, and some caramel. The taste is sweet/tangy, malty, slightly yeasty, nice touch of caramel. There is a slight chewy thing going on and the alcohol is hidden very well, nice warm feeling in the throat. A slightly dry finish. Medium body. Very drinkable, I liked the version of a BSDA, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2007 01:22:58 | More by Wasatch

cabsandking

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Nice red color with amber highlights and descent off white lacing. Smells like Hawaiian Punch (hell, yeah!), cherry, slight notes of florals, malts, and some alcohol esters. Big fruity malt range; plum, dates, raisons, licorice in spots, and orange. Alcohol is pretty hot but it does warm you up inside. Some sourness into the finish and gives up a little medicinal character. Overall a consistent cherry, sherry flavor thats more distinguished in the finish, has the feel of port wine. Medium to high carbonation and semi-smooth mouthfeel still leaves a little oiliness on the tongue. A very nice holiday brew, buy one now and leave it in the cellar for next Christmas.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2007 16:37:15 | More by cabsandking

eberkman

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep amber-red into an Urthel tulip, producing little carbonation and the thinnest of heads that vanishes to a ring within a minute. Smells of toffee and alcohol above anything else. Pleasingly fragrant. The taste is the big winner -- buttery toffee way up front, giving way to pungent dark fruits (plums, raisins, cherries and figs), with almost a subtly maple-like sweetness and a warming alcohol sensation on the way down that I'd typically associate with a good cognac. Mouthfeel is creamy and oily, almost syrupy. A great smooth flow. Though I enjoy the sweet palate on this one, drinkability is only above average -- it's a little cloying to have more than one.

Still, a perfect late-night wind-down drink on a freezing night. I can't detect anything in the flavor that makes this a Christmas beer -- no egg nog or gingerbread spices or anything of that nature -- but it still fits the season nicely. And don't feel shortchanged by the fact that it's an 8.5 oz bottle. You'll feel this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2007 04:12:44 | More by eberkman

thekanna

Maryland

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a gorgeous clear amber with a thin, white head that nevertheless leaves lacing on the side.

S: Strong essence of molasses and maple syrup with a whiff of phenols. Continued fixation on the smell evokes cloves, nutmeg, and other spices.

T: Sugar cane-like sweetness immediately hits the mouth and provides a warming sensation. Caramel and toffee malts are followed by a slight smoky flavor. Szechuan peppercorn-infused phenols arise and pleasantly numb the mouth; bequeathing an almost methol-like essence in the aftertaste.

M/D: Slight carbonation and chewiness give way to a numbing smoothness. This one is a great sipper.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2009 05:18:45 | More by thekanna

BedetheVenerable

Missouri

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 8.48 oz brown pop top with nice winter label; nice blue and silver foil; I'm sampling this between cellar and room temperature, poured into my Chimay chalice

Appearance: Rich chestnut beer with orange highlights when held up to the light; lots of small flaky yeast sediment in suspension; cap is ivory and (not surprising for a beer of this strength) fades pretty quickly but leaves a nice thick film
Smell:

Smell: Give this one a couple of swirls to really bring the aromas out; we've got raisins, alcoholic dark fruit esters, sweet dark caramel, what seems to be a touch of cinnamon sugar, and some other sweetness that I just can't seem to put my finger on...overall very nice aroma

Taste: Crazy the way that this brew hides its alcohol...the beer is actually quite mild in flavor; sweet caramel candy, light fruitiness from the Belgian yeast, very mild spice...ends a bit drier than expected, with a long, lingering flavor of dried figs and maybe a hint of vanilla extract...the only place you feel the alcohol is on the finish as it tingles/slightly burns down your throat...oh, and THERE it is...

Mouthfeel: Chewy, viscous, and palate coating

Drinkability: Not a beer to toss back; one after dinner or as a nightcap would be perfect

Conclusion: Unbelievably smooth, tamed, and understated (and I mean that in a good way) for the abv. I paid 16.99 for this 8.48oz bottle (though I think it was a mistake at the store and that was supposed to be for a four-pack) yet even at that price I could see myself picking this up again next winter if I were to come across it. This one tonight was in honor of my grandma's passing; I could see drinking this during happier times after a big Christmas dinner of roast venison, herbed potatoes, and figgy pudding.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2009 06:03:39 | More by BedetheVenerable

beertunes

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle of Scaldis Noel. Poured into 10oz glass. Poured a lovely mahogany, with a thin cap of light tan head that had good retention and lacing.

A solid malt aroma greets the nose, supported by spice and yeast scents. The flavor featured that well balanced blend of malts, spices and perhaps a even a touch of butter.

Body was full and well rounded. Drinkability was excellent, I would gladly have a couple of these while looking out the window, watching the weather.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2009 07:47:32 | More by beertunes

radioscooter

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Recommended to me by several people including Phil at Vintage Estate. Small 8.48 bottle.

Nice brown apple color. The head is quick to dissipate, fragile bubbles, tiny lacing.

So far this is my favorite holiday ale yet. I am pairing this with razor-thin slivers of Loccatelli cheese. This is a holiday evening treat beyond compare. I wish we were further into the season so I could be relaxing with friends and Johnny Mathis' Christmas album instead of between work on a Thursday night - ah well. I'll just have to get some more.

Dark, fig and plum and spice and lots of alcohol. Hits nice like a blanket. Or a snuggy.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2010 02:09:10 | More by radioscooter

mattgreger

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This brew poured a nice caramel like brown, and a lighter brown highlights. There was a bit of sediment floating in the glass. There was not head on this brew at all . As well as not lacing present during the drink.

There is a lot going on in the aroma of this brew. The first thing that hits you in the alcohol punch, but its followed up with some sweet flavor such as peaches, prunes, grapes and a nice malty hit.

The flavor on this brew is very good. As in the aroma, there is a bit of boozy hit from the start, but the combination of sweet flavors that follow, make this brew amazing. There is nice caramel flavor, then a hit of a nice floraly flavor as well, not quite hops, but stronger. Its all followed by a nice punch of medicinal like cherry flavor.

This is a mediuam to heavy bodied brew. Very thick, and super smooth. Not very much carbonation at all, but the flavors mix to give it a wonderful seasonal flavor.

This brew has a big ABV at 12%. it would be hard for an average beer drinker to drink more then one of these brews. Regardless, this was great brew for the cold day it was. This is an excellent brew, that is great for sipping on a winter night, that will keep you warm.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 02:53:00 | More by mattgreger

notchucknorris

California

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at pizza port Carlsbad

A: Deep amber color with a thin cream colored head. Some spotty lacing down the glass.

S: A good amount of dark fruit, Belgian yeast, candi sugar and bubblegum. Traces of raisin and brown sugar.

T: Tons of dark frui. Prune, raisin and plum with Belgian yeast, pomegranate and some burnt raisin skin on the finish. Delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2012 19:26:26 | More by notchucknorris

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A long-standing bottle pours a clear reddish-copper body beneath a frothy head of off-white foam. Effervescent bubbles rise quickly from beneath, and the head retention is excellent considering its high alcohol content. It even leaves wide rings of crooked lace about the first half of the glass. The nose is enticing with notes of sweet dried cherries and dark caramel. It's delicately vibrant across the tongue with a carbonation that lightly tickles the tongue before allowing its light-medium body to become just slightly creamy. The flavor delivers the same cherry-like fruitiness and sweet caramel that the nose promises along with some floral and grassy hops and a decent slap of spicy alcohol that bursts onto the back of the mouth and tongue at the swallow. The caramel lingers in the mildly sweet finish with the alcohol doing more to dry it than the sublime bitterness that's present. And yet, the alcohol never overcomes or dulls the palate! This is a really well-balanced beer given its strength; and with just a little more complexity it could have a great drinkability. An excellent choice for a winter nightcap!

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2004 23:38:14 | More by NeroFiddled

weazal

California

4.35/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

S: Absolutely delicious aroma of caramel, apple, and dark candied fruits - all drenched in honey. There's a dose of spices too, particularly clove and pepper. Overall, very much raisin sweet bread.

T: The alcohol and sweetness dominate, elbowing each other aside throughout the tasting. Warming brandy, honey, sweet bread, and peppery at the end. About what you'd expect from the aroma.

Exactly the warming, delectable beverage you'd want to get tipsy with on cold, snowy evenings!

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2009 06:38:05 | More by weazal

BeerImmediately

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750ml into tulip at 45 degrees, warming into the 60s through the review.

Pours with a booming 4F of off-white head over a clear mahogany body, with plenty of carbonation flowing up. Great lacing.

Aromas of light spice, caramel-to-molasses sweetness, light grape, and some rubber - strange, but true. After it warmed, it took on a cordial liquor quality.

Flavors start off with a light candy-sugar-like sweetness, grape-to-plum fruits, touch of dates after it warmed, and some peach fuzz.

Great, great mouthfeel - perfect carbonation keeps this 13% beer drinking like one half its strength.

Amazing drinkability for the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2010 03:05:00 | More by BeerImmediately

Vierenner

Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

"Scaldis Noel" on the label. Was excited to try this beer because a nearby tavern had it on tap recently but I was unable to partake.
Very nice. Mildly sweet with a touch of hops. There are other flavors nicely blended ... like cinnamon and perhaps even pine needles! It's a delightful beer, but a little pricy at $4.99 for a 12oz bottle ... worth every penny though!

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2010 01:33:51 | More by Vierenner

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.35/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: 1/4" head over cloudy mahogany coloured liquid.

S: The smell is primarily yeasty and spicy

T: A combination of apples, spice, sweet malt, pepper, cloves, cherries, figs and pears

M: Thick viscosity and a high level of carbonation. Some warming from the 12% ABV.

O: A tasty and drinkable Christmas Belgian Strong Dark Ale. One of the better ones I have had.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 21:53:47 | More by DaftCaskBC

Thickfreakness

New York

4.35/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours with a two finger head into my Ithaca Excelsior glass. Rusty, cherry/amber color with a off white head. Little touches of lace around the glass. Nice clarity and carbonation.

S- Cherry, honey, candied fruit, caramel, and a touch of alcohol. Some warm notes of gingerbread cookies as it comes to room temp.

T- Sugared fruit, honeyed caramel, gingerbread cake, really ripe bananas, brown sugar and allspice. Really warming and wonderful.

M- A bit hot on the tongue, but it really opens your mouth to all the candy and cake like flavors. Very warming and delicious.

O- Bananas, candied fruit, caramel, holiday cookies and alcohol... a wonderful drink for a February night.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2012 02:33:20 | More by Thickfreakness

yen157

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hazy brown liquid with white suds ringing the glass. Very rich, malty aroma with some alcohol, peaches, and spicy hops in the nose. Great toasted malt flavor and some caramel somewhere in there, too. Some hop flavor provides the right amount of balance but still leaves this beer way on the malty side. Body was thinner and carbonation higher then expected, but so what. The alcohol was very noticeable (not in a bad way) and warming. A good beer overall, but I think I’ll stick with Samichlaus as my big winter beer from a little bottle, for now at least.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2003 05:59:02 | More by yen157