Bush De Noël - Brasserie Dubuisson Frères sprl

olmatty

Oregon

4.6/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer was sold a Scaldis Noel

Appearance- Poured a deep amber brown with a thick, creamy, tan head.

Smell- Raisins, Dried cherries and dark fruits, sweet caramel and toffee and yeast

Taste- Dark fruits and sweet malts like caramel, sherry and creamy yeast

Mouthfeel- Creamy and smoothly carbonated with lots of thick body

Drinkability- Incredibly smooth and quaffable for a huge 12% ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2009 09:32:23 | More by olmatty

Beerzebub

District of Columbia

4.63/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served cellar temperature (i.e. in cold car for 4 hrs.), goblet.

Deep rosewood color, head recedes, some lace.

Smells mainly of ripe apple and pear, delicious. Also fig, sweet dark caramel, spices, a little rumlike alcohol.

Ripe golden apple, red apple, pear, fig. Some tannic astringency, like red apple skin. Wood. Vanilla. Spices, well balanced - cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and presumably others. Long finish - fruit, alcohol, spicy heat in the throat, and astringency.

Smooth, medium mouthfeel. Carbonation is appropriately low.

Drinkable even by normal standards. For 12%, almost unfathomable.

25 cl goes a long way. This is a real winter beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2006 10:54:42 | More by Beerzebub

ccrida

Oregon

4.63/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a small bottle into a Westmalle chalice, the Noel is an amberish brown with a surprisingly large sized off-white head (for the ABV) with medium bubbles that left a sticky, clingy lace, but with very little carbonation. The aroma is mainly sweet malt and fusal alcohol, with a bit of grape and almond. The taste is very well balanced, and not nearly as boozy as the aroma would lead one to believe, primarily malty but with a nice sweet, nutty character that is exceptionally smooth, some caramel and grapes, with a touch of toffee. Served at about 55F, there is very little aftertaste, and an exceptionally rich, creamy, yet medium body that is highly drinkable. I was hoping for a bit more Belgian yeast complexity, but for the execution of such a strong beer, the Scaldis is really impressive. However, there is not much in the way of the traditional Noel spice flavors, so if your looking for lots of nutmeg and anise, you won't find it here. Still, this Noel is exceptional, probably more so because it doesn't rely on the spices...

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2007 06:34:48 | More by ccrida

roblowther

Texas

4.63/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

750ml corked and....barred? Not a cage but a metal bar bent across the cork & hooked on the bottle lip. Interesting! I manage to get it off with some prying & finegaling. Pours copper mahogany with a dense, rocky bone-colored head. The smell is oranges and plums, with a note of alcohol and brown sugar. I'm getting more enthusiastic. The taste is wicked smooth, with the fruits & sugars the smell promised but an oaky, mellow crisp finish. The aftertaste is a resurgance of the fruit that frankly, makes my mouth water. Alcohol comes on as the beer warms a bit. Wow! Mouthfeel is nice carbonation with a soft velvety untertone. Drinkability can only be expressed by my kicking myself for not getting more bottles of this during Christmas & the tracks I leave as I head towards my local to see if they have any left. Later!

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2008 01:58:29 | More by roblowther

TastyTaste

Minnesota

4.65/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Thanks to LuckySevens82 for the sample.

Appearance: A very nice bugundy color, pertty much clear with a little visible carbonation. Nice head on the pour into my Schell's tulip.

Smell: Dark fruit and raisin. Alcohol makes it's presence known.

Taste: Sweet and fruity in the beginnning, but the middle is a very peppery hop and malt combination that ends with an alcohol burn on the way down. Strong and very sippable. Nice grape flavor lingers in the mouth. Fantastic.

Mouthfeel: Full and creamy, very good, this is a real treat for a cold December's night.

Drinkability: Great, definitely a beer that I can savor and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2005 00:08:06 | More by TastyTaste

CWiggins

North Carolina

4.65/5  rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tomorrow will be one year since I first sampled and reviewed this beer. I haven't read the previous review in order to see how my impressions and tastes have changed.

It pours a dark, cloudy amber into my Tripel Karmeliet glass. It's a shame there are only 8.5 oz in this bottle; it only fills my glass just over halfway! The ecru head that forms is much taller than I recall. It lasts about five minutes and then fades to a decent lacing around the point of surface tension.

Ah, the aroma. You realized very quickly upon sniffing the brew that you're in Belgian strong dark territory. The tell-tale aromas of medium-dark malts, brown sugar, and candied fruits betray the style immediately. One wonders if tasting is really necessary.

Flavors of dark brown sugar, rich dark fruits, and warming alcohol invade the senses as it flows across the tongue and coats the palate. There are some winter spices present: nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon, to be sure. Hints of butterscotch and caramel may also be detected. The alcohol is strong, but is barely noticeable until the finish. Flavors of fruit, alcohol, and brown sugar linger far into the aftertaste.

Like many Belgian strong ales, this one has a creamy texture with medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2007 02:56:31 | More by CWiggins

boognish523

California

4.65/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Scaldis Noel on tap. Poured thick with a medium sized head.

A: was almost peach in color, dark.
S: smelled of apples, sweet
T: Tasted of apples as well, refreshing, not overly alcoholic flavor considering ABV
M: Thick yet light with carbonation
D: Definately a good choice and will revisit this one until not on tap anymore.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2008 00:24:54 | More by boognish523

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.65/5  rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This review was from around Christmas time, on-tap at the Dunedin House of Beer:

A - Reddish amber like a Jerez Brandy, save for the small head that encircles the rim.

S -A rich Port nose is immediately apparent, segueing into some roasted grain and alcohol that transforms the vinous quality into a Cognac impression.

T - Rich buttery flavor has hints of everything decadent: cocoa, vanilla, caramel, honey, winter spice, and bubblegum; a citric, peppery and savory hop; and Cognac. Every one of those elements is present in only the most moderate level, with the exception of boozy Cognac sensibilities, of which there are plenty. This is a tremendously special brew on draft.

M - Nice, like a velvety barleywine; it is not syrupy either, despite low carbonation and relatively high viscosity.

D - This was a great selection for catching up with an old friend over the holiday; an exquisite sipper. Nice choice Z!

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2010 23:42:15 | More by ktrillionaire

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

11.2 oz

Pours an opaque woody brown. Off-white lacing for a head.

Smells of caramel, cherries, bretty yeasts, mild nuttiness, a hint of spice and grassy malts.

Flavor of caramel, buttered bread, apples, almonds, a hint of scotch, and a mild hop bitter aftertaste.

Full body with fluffy carbonation on the roof of the mouth and notable alcohol stinging, plus a warming sensation going down.

Really fantastic, among the best of the best of Belgian dark ales. Scaldis now officially makes two of my favorite beers of all time. I'd been looking for this one for a few years now around Christmas and I am happy to say I am not disappointed. Definitely a sipper, doesn't much try to conceal its strength, which is fine by me. A must-try and will look to have this again and again.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 22:33:38 | More by Cylinsier

Beertracker

Oklahoma

4.68/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Scaldis Noël (Bush de Noël) [750mL] is best served at a warm cellar temperatures (50-55°F) from a small snifter, tulip or goblet. This premium Belgian specialty ale pours up sublime with a voluptuous cream colored head that craggily sits atop a bright deep amber-mahogany body. Out-freakin-standing! The hugely complex aroma is pancaked full of intense dark fruit/spicy characters such as brandied cordial cherries, candied apples, carmelized pears, figgy/plum pudding, applesauce-raisin bread, mince meat pie, etc... and surprisingly there's even a whisp of Poperinge hops. Amazing! The flavor is ever bit as intense as the aroma and starts off with a pleasant bang of rum cake maltiness that's partially offset by a light bitterness. The complex underlying spiciness (allspice, clove, cinnamon) is ever present and combines with the bitterness and alcohol to bring some balance to this malty winter beast. The finish is warm & nourishing like "mother's milk" and could put down a dragon if overindulged. This is a delightful holiday treat best enjoyed with family & friends by the hearth after feasting. Suggested pairings include pralines, truffles or sweet breads. Here's to keeping Old Man Winter at bay!

CHEERS! Beertracker

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2006 17:01:48 | More by Beertracker

TheBeerWolf

Nevada

4.72/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours an almost light ruby red leaving a small light brown head that dissipates pretty quickly.

S - The first thing that struck me as I opened the bottle was the great smell! A lively smell almost like a fine brandy with a hint of citrus in the background.

T - The alcohol makes itself know but intertwines with some very pleasant flavors. Just like the smell you get some nice brandy like flavors. Hints of butterscotch and dark fruits, with a background of pleasant spiciness. Leaves a bit of a citrus aftertaste maybe thats the hops.

M - The mouthfeel is pretty light but not watery at all.

D - I really like this beer but at 13% after getting through a bottle your pretty much done. At least for a little while ;).

Well a few notes. Not sure what year my bottle is as I just found it by itself on a unlabeled shelf in my liquor store but I kept in a wine fridge for a year before drinking it. My bottle says 13% while a lot of people report different percentages on theirs so not sure about that. If I lived somewhere where it was really cold this would be great to sip on a cold night. The alcohol is there though so if your not used to higher alcohol beers maybe stay away. Other then that I loved this beer. Even with all that alcohol it still is a lively beer to me.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2007 07:26:21 | More by TheBeerWolf

Bierschenker

Belgium

4.78/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

*Bottle: 25cl
*Alcohol: 12%
*Brewery: Brasserie Dubuisson, B-7904 Pipaix
*Place beer was reviewed: Op kot, Lange Ridderstraat 19/3, B-2800 Mechelen

Every year around Christmas I await the arrival of all these great Christmas beer. Dobbel Palm, Gordon’s Christmas, Bush Noël,…
Bush is one of my favourite beers. It is more then just a beer for me. I also have a lot of good memory’s of drinking together with friends attached to it. I first drank it on a night to remember and since then I only drink it when I am with good friends. Only now, in order to review this beer on the website, I have bought some in the supermarket.

It pours out a darkish red fluid that doesn’t want to start growing a head. It’s a respectable gentleman and doesn’t want to do the dirty work. So you will have to help him. Keep the glass tilted and pour it in nice and wild. If you succeed in making a head, enjoy it, because it won’t last long.
The nostril system was mostly pleased with this beer. Rich odours of caramel, chocolate, candy, pepper and malt. The first taste gives you all you already knew from the smell. But now you also get a sour yeast taste . It keeps on lingering in my mouth. It’s like I’m eating some kind of ripe fruit. This beer is very rich, also in yeast. I always poor it out till the bottom. When I get it served and it is already poured in, they tend to leave the yeast in the bottle. I think this is more a personal choice. Sometimes adding or leaving the yeast can give the same beer a different taste. And with some people, the yeast might trigger something inside. Personally I prefer the beer with yeast. It is healthy too.


Ut vivat, crescat, floreat!

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2005 14:23:44 | More by Bierschenker

ntillemans

Minnesota

4.8/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

8.48 oz bottle poured into a Duvel glass.

A - Reddish amber color, light head, low carbonation, some fine sediment suspended in the ale...could've been the way I poured it.

S - Alcohol, cherry, malt

T - This is a big beer. I could taste alcohol, malt and cherry fruitiness. Reminded me a bit of Piraat...but more potent.

M - Creamy, full mouthfeel. Serious warmth and some tingle on the tongue.

D - A very enjoyable drink. It's warming. The balance of sugar and alcohol is producing an excellent bubbly high that makes me smile wide. Wish I had more of this one.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2008 03:41:57 | More by ntillemans

dbaker61

Ohio

4.83/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From notes. Enjoyed at The Bodega Brew Pub, La Crosse, WI on Aug. 10, 2010.

Appearance: Coppery color with a hint of red. Only half a finger or so of light tan foam, retention of just a minute or two, but left nice lacing down the glass.

Smell: A snoot-full of aromas! Spicy, yeasty and alcoholic, there were dried fruit notes, along with caramel and banana. Almost enjoyed the smell more than the taste (almost!).

Taste: Quite sweet with caramelized sugars and nutmeg. Definitely Christmassy, even though this bottle was enjoyed in the sticky summer. Lots of fruit flavors, among them banana, cherry and dried fruits like raisins and figs. The alcohol seems well hidden.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied. Great finish, with a lingering sweetness, and dryness from the formidable alcohol level. Plenty of carbonation in this beer.

Overall: Always a favorite, it had to be one of my requests at the Bodega after a year in China. I never want more than one, but I often want one.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 13:19:55 | More by dbaker61

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.85/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Cork bounced off ceiling but pours a slight white head that fades quickly, leaving no lace. Almost clear amber color, with some floaties. Good carbonation and medium bodied. Dark fruit and alcohol nose. Flavor is sweet, dark fruit and hints of the very high ABV which label puts at 13%. Warming, nice strong ale. Worth trying at $18.95 for a caged and corked 750ml bottle from Colonial Spirits Acton, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2010 22:23:47 | More by jdhilt

warrenout330

Ohio

4.9/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 8.48 oz bottle into a chalice

A- pours a honey color with a very little head, no lacing. As I see this beer now I believe its been on the shelf for a year or so... and yes I'm very happy for this

S- smells of figgy pudding, dark fruits, raisins, dried plums... very wine like, like a good muskat from the island of samos, Greece

T- sweet thick wine, raisins, muskat sweet grapes, dried plums, dark sweet fruits

M- sweet and thick bodied. Dangerously drinking for the well hidden ABv at 12%

O- quite a find we have here, thanks to my buddy. This is something I'd like to see with a couple of years more of aging since I am almost 101% this has been on the shelf for a year alreadt..

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 01:41:31 | More by warrenout330

callmeopus

Washington

5/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer is sublime perfection. Starting with it's ruby and caramel color, that is a little deceptive in it's lightness, and ending with a burning boozy bite. I get the aroma of vanilla, nutmeg, and fresh cut douglas fir, that brings up a snow covered field peppered with small, fully decorated x-mas trees. The taste is gentle and sweet with various spicy notes (like ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon) popping up here and there. Each sip varies from the other, but none are disappointing. Scaldis Noel finishes in the throat with a light burning bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2011 18:43:47 | More by callmeopus