Bush De Noël - Brasserie Dubuisson Frères sprl

VoodooBrew

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bush de Noel... too bad Dubya doesn't drink anymore!

Pours a light golden-copper color. There is a complex spice profile on the nose along with a fleeting suggestion of sweet fruit. On the palate the flavors meld together very easily. Mostly I get a sweet honey-ish malt element, with a medium finish. The overall sweetness manages, thankfully, to avoid being cloying or overwhelming. This beer drinks rather easily, especially considering its hefty ABV. Always nice to see a "holiday" beer that isn't your average Winter Warmer.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2006 00:26:09 | More by VoodooBrew

nvsblman

Arizona

3.45/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Hazy walnut brown with an off-white head. Some sticky lacing as I drink it. Malty, brown sugary aroma. Also a little black pepper. Sweet malty flavor too. Raisins, cloves, a little yeastiness, and a lingering spiciness work fairly well together. Medium bodied and well carbonated. This is a nice crisp and refreshing beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2006 20:30:37 | More by nvsblman

Dukeofearl

California

4.18/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Small bottle as pictured (I'm told it's 8+ ounces; a gift from a friend, purchased at Hi Time Wine in Costa Mesa, CA for an unknown price.

I am a fan of the original Bush/Scaldis, and met the brewer Mr. Dubisson at the Brussels beer fest a year ago, so was very excited when my friend gave me this beer. However, I am not generally a fan of the Noel/winter style brews. So what to do? Well, try it, of course!

Pours a very beautiful amber color with a nice frothy head. Darker color than the original Bush. A moderate amount of dark yeast at the bottom of the bottle is left behind as I pour this into my Orval goblet.

Smell is surprisingly weak. My finacee agreed with me on this one. I let this warm from refrigerator temps, so that's not why. Slight sweetness (honey), clove spiciness, and bready malts. But there's just not a lot there.

Flavor- first punch is strong alcohol. Late Harvest sweet riesling honey syrup, but much darker and spicier. Raisins and other dark fruits. Pretty bloody good I must say!

Full rich mouthfeel, the alcohol is stronger than I like, but overall this is very good. A very good Bush beer!

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2006 04:57:56 | More by Dukeofearl

unclederby

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Noel poured into my chalice an attractive reddish-amber with not much of a head. Particles floated abundantely and sparse dots of carbonation were seen.

The smell is sweet, with predominate notes of dark, overripe fruit. Maybe some caramel malt, and sour apple on the nose as well...
Pungent in a way, with a bit of apparent alcohol.

Taste is of fruitcake... raisins, prunes, plums, honey and a sweet biscuity overtone. Some mild spiciness as well (ginger, nutmeg). It is very sweet but just short of cloying, with noticeable alcholic warmth. Comparable to rum.

Hops become detectable.

Mouthfeel is oily and contains a surprising amount of carbonation (based on appearance). Not wholly full but viscous enough. Coats the throat with an alcoholic burn that lingers just a bit.

This is one that appreciates room temperature, as it really becomes more interesting and complex then and it's near over the top sweetness becomes more subdued...

This Belgian "barleywine" is a nightcapper for sure, and one is satisfying enough and a call to hit the sack. Lest we forget, it's plenty strong.

Note: i would love to try an aged version of this, as i think it would be absolutely outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2006 05:54:30 | More by unclederby

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

(Served in a snifter)
The sticker on the bottle says 12.5% ABV
A- This beer has a hazy warm brown body with a thick creamy of off-white head.

S- The smell of soft sweet malt has a finish of faint bitter hops with a hint of alcohol.

T-The taste of sweet malt with notes of caramel and notes of light brown sugar hang on the taste buds. The finish has a nice soft hops bitterness that combined with the alcohol gives a good finish to the sweetness.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel and the fizz in the texture really gives it a foamy feeling in the mouth. A soft alcohol warmth enhances the flavor but enhances the foamy texture aswell.

D- It is a smooth mellow quad that doesn't have great character but it does have the sense that there is some spice hints that give it more depth. I can't detect the spices because they are to faint but they offer just enough flavor to compliment the malt.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2006 04:27:43 | More by rhoadsrage

mrasskicktastic

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A - Nice tan head with pretty delicate rings of lace. A brownish copper / amber with little white sediment floating in it. It actually creates a nice atmosphere.

S - Dates and alcohol, slight vanilla.

T - Alcohol is evident, can't be too upset at that with the 12 abv. Really sweet figs and dates. The taste is enjoyable, but not much depth there.

M - Thick, smooth and a bit cloying, not that bad though. The sediment is actually kind of crispy. Strange.

D - Rather nice considering the sweetness and abv. I just kept wanting more and more of this. This is one of the few quads I have actually enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2006 04:59:05 | More by mrasskicktastic

thesilverhand

British Columbia (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The last of my Christmas gift stash for this year.

Pours a clear deep amber red, with a finger's width of off-white foam on top. Not bad.

The aroma is sweet, fruity, woody, boozy. Reminds me of port wine. Very nice.

Sweet up front, lots of fruitiness. The alcohol is very apparent late, with a dry, hot finish. Not unpleasant, but definitely a sipper.

Quite smooth and dry, not much carbonation.

Overall, a very pleasant winter treat, warm and tasty to be sipped on a cold, windy night.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2006 14:57:16 | More by thesilverhand

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer poured into the chalice chunky amber golden with an off-white tall and extremely frothy head which rose very well and fell slowly to coat the glass.

The aroma was fruity with a strong banana impression when first opened, but as the head fell the aroma became more complex. The fruity ester profile remained, but an earthy and spicy component emerged. Behind the clove and cinannamon spice was a nice caramel malt component. All the phenols were enhanced by alcohol and as the head completely fell dark fruits, raisins and prunes emerged.

The flavor was comprixed of dark fruit flavors, raisins and prunes with a strong spice character. The spices were strong and seemed to be mostly clove and cinannamon. The flavor also had a nice caramel and candy flavor, but the alcohol in the flavor was tremendous in scope and almost out of hand.

The finish was dry with a lasting dark fruit impression and strong phenolic spice long into the aftertaste. Alcohol also permeated long into the aftertaste. The body was medium or just a bit more, but hard to nail down due to the carbonation level which was very high. The beer was more difficult to drink due to the huge alcohol presence and the extreme warming that occurred after consumption. Tame the alcoholic beast and lose the chunky appearance and this one would be truly world class.

750 ml bottle with an almost inpenetrable band (till you figure out it slides) covering the cork and then foil wrapped. Also came in a decorative tin.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2006 22:30:23 | More by GCBrewingCo

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I am drinking a 250 mL bottle poured into my small Ommegang goblet. The ale has warmed to room temperature.

Appearance: Dark coppery red, this ale pours with decent carbonation that leaves a good amount of lace around the goblet. The ale is clear, with no visible sediment.

Smell: The smell of cinnamon jumps out first. It gives way spices and a distinct smell of alcohol, the alcohol smells fairly muted though.

Taste: A very warming taste, the alcohol makes itself known in this ale. There are also a certain level of spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, maybe even plums).

Mouthfeel: The spices interplay nicely and result in a good mouthfeel.

Drinkability: The ale is 12% for chrissakes, severely harming the drinkability. Despite that, this is a good ale for a cold wintery night.

On a final note, 34 minutes until Penn State whoops up on the 'Noles. Go PSU!

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2006 00:30:30 | More by akorsak

NEhophead

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thick and foamy lightly burnt, off white head that cakes the goblet's sides with intricate lacing. Garnet with shades of oak and maple.

Semi-sweetened molasses, toffee, and caramel malt aroma. Big overtone of chocolate and cream. Sweet, dark fruit soaked in alcohol: raising, plum, cherry.

Creamy, semi-sweet caramel and toffee flavors with a near sour apple tartness. A faint citric quality that is well balanced with the sweet, deep chocolate qualities of this Quadrupel. The alcohol presence is carefully placed; not to drown out the natural flavors.

Borders full bodied; creamy, sharp, and a touch of spice.

The abv% is well used and disguised. Good flavors and well worth a try. A wonderful beer at room temperature.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2006 13:11:21 | More by NEhophead

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from tiny 25cl bottle. Dark orange and clear, with thickest head I've seen yet.

Smell is subtle, maybe because of the thick head. Smells kind of like a barley wine.

Taste is sweet and burns a little. I can definitely taste the alcohol. I thought it would taste more like LaTrappe quadrupel or any of the other more "common" quadrupels. But this tastes more barley winey.

Not bad, very strong, but not a repeat for me...

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2005 20:18:06 | More by TurdFurgison

willgro

Texas

3.6/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

THis is a breat beer from Belgium and is translated to mean Enligh "Bush" after the brewery was liberated by a british battallion in WWI. In the U.S., to avoid confusion, the beer is known as Scaldis (after some river somewhere). This one is great, and it has an attractive amber color, a leafy, hop aroma and a beutiful balance of sweet malt and fruitiness. The bottle is a little strange looking, but it is a decent beer w/ a great christmas flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2005 17:15:56 | More by willgro

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another great brew for Christmas Day! This one's 12.5% ABV.

A: Copper-bronze, quite clear. Fluffy white head, decent retention, wonderful lace.

S: Sweet caramel, with some alcohol in the nose.

T: Sweet caramel, fruit-bread, with a little sherry. Alcohol is warming, but not overwhelming.

M: Moderate to full body is a little creamy, carbonation is moderately high.

D: Quite drinkable. Considering the strength, it could be trouble.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2005 01:19:56 | More by Derek

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Candied orange peel with generous amounts of swirling particles and uprushing bubbles. Despite the high ABV, the head is a rocky glass filler. Golden ecru in color, it sets off the color of the beer quite nicely. Small sheets and spatters of lace are doing their level best to stick to the sides of the snifter and are succeeding admirably.

The powerful nose of brandy-macerated fruit wears its 12.0% ABV on its sleeve and wears it proudly. The beer smells like a holiday fruitcake that is heavy on fruit (cherries, dates, figs) and alcohol and low on cake. This is only my second quadrupel (Westvleteren 12) so style comparisons aren't really possible. It's a humdinger though. Did I mention the sinus clearing power?

Silky, rich, boozy, warming and delightfully delicious. My suggestion would be to drink Bush de Noel at room temperature, from a snifter, sip by sip, as I'm doing now. Any faster and the 8.48 ounce bottle will be gone before you know it. Although this is good beer, it doesn't quite have the intriguing complexity and the multifaceted depth that I love in the best high-ABV Belgian ales. There's nothing wrong with simple and strong, however, if the flavor is up to the task, as it is here.

As in many barleywines, alcoholic candied cherry is the dominant flavor. However, there's enough sticky toffee flavor that comparisons to cough syrup don't apply. This ale is sweet and is kept from being too heavy by a still boisterous carbonation and a mouthfeel that isn't as full as it seemed at first sip. I'm not a fan of alcohol that is this up-front, but I've certainly had plenty of 9.0-10.0%'ers that weren't as well-masked.

Thanks to the Family Dubuisson for this little bottle of Christmas cheer. Now that I've almost reached the bottom, I'm as warm and as toasty as if I was sitting by a crackling fire. Even if it isn't a life changing holiday beer that I'll come back to again and again, Bush de Noel is a right jolly old sipper that most should enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2005 20:53:23 | More by BuckeyeNation

TastyTaste

Minnesota

4.65/5  rDev +15.7%
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

doubleipa

Georgia

2.88/5  rDev -28.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Not your typical quad, IMO. Aroma was doughy, nutmeg, with a little cherry and perhaps some cabernet. Virtually no head, virtually no lacing. Color was brown and much lighter than most quads. Initial flavor was heavily sweet that lessened slightly. The finish was long. Body was only light to medium and watery. Surprisingly there was not much of an alcohol taste or feel. I'd expected to really be able to notice the alcohol. After having St. B 12 on tap the night before, this quad just doesn't come close. I had read that this would be a good beer to cellar for a couple of years. I picked some up and will re-visit after a year.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2005 14:21:07 | More by doubleipa

HogHill

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The Scaldis Noel poured a caramel brown. There isn't much of a head, just some light tan lacing on the rim of the glass.

The nose consists of molasses and dark fruits. Classic Belgian strong dark ale aroma here.

First sip is powerful, a bit warm (though it is 12% abv). After a little time, Scaldis Noel warms up and similar flavors to the aroma come through, the dark malts and molasses, and a bit of alcohol. Improves as my palette gets used to the flavors.

Scaldis Noel is an excellent quadrupel, it is definitely high quality beer to come back to during the Christmas season each year.

Notes: purchased as a single 25 CL bottle from Colonial, the bottle's packaging is nice, a red and blue christmas scene with a shiny, glitter like effect.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2005 20:33:27 | More by HogHill

stof0048

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Deep hazy orange/brown with a head that quickly things into a ring aroudn the glass and an island in the middle. Sticky lacing that clings to the sides of the glass.

S: Smells a great deal like a champagne... some dark fruit notes, sugars, malts...

T: Tastes of dark fruit, dark malts, hints of spices... alcohol is apparent on the finish but not overwhelming.

M: Smooth with a bit of a bite at the end from the alcohol. Medium to full body but not heavy, Goes over the palate gaining carbonation at the finish.

D: Good, but not great. Nice to have on the occasion, but I think that trying to have more than one or two glasses in a night would be a mistake due to richness and alcohol content.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2005 03:02:02 | More by stof0048

ypsifly

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Banded 750 with a cork that took an enormous amount of effort to disgorge. As soon as it popped it gushed. Not bad but its a bit annoying. No dates, poured into a chalice.

Dark amber with a fat head of off white. The head falls to a thin layer of foam in a matter of minutes.

Lots of alcohol and dark fruits in the nose. There's some cookie dough and spice underneath. Very strong smelling.

Smooth malts upfront followed by sugars, spiced bread, ripe plum soaked in rum, black pepper and alcohol. The booze isn't bad, nothing is ruined, and I actually like the warming effect.

The mouth starts off full but gets a little bit too much heat if you don't sip slowly. I could drink one small bottle and be done. A 750 by myself is gonna make for an early night.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2005 00:55:37 | More by ypsifly

budsboy

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

8.5 oz bottle

Reddish amber with a cloudy, fluffy white head that leaves a web of lacing.

Malty aroma, fig, dark cherry, pine and alcohol.

Cherry taste mostly, fig and wood spice as well, green tea and a flash of alcohol. So much cherry though -- like Luden's cough drop cherry flavor in a beer.

Medium bodied and lively, bubbly carbonation. The lightest quadrupel I've had.

Every bit of the 12.5 ABV is evident here. It is a sipper. My wife enjoyed it more than I did, and said the cherry taste was not as pronounced for her. So, there you go.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2005 10:52:44 | More by budsboy

Ellbert

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: A nice head atop a brownish tinted brew. Head stayed and laced.

Smell: Spicy alcohol with sweet malt making appearance.

Taste: Sweet upfront with burnt caramel filling out the flavor. Alcohol and other spice kicked in towards the end.

Mouthfeel: Thick and chewy.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2005 00:05:23 | More by Ellbert

Fish113d

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served at room temp from a bottle into a small tulip glass.

L- Pouring the color of honey, a large, billowing off-white colored head springs to the lip of the glass, and slowly dissipates leaving lots of lattice work on the glass.

A- Lots of spiced brown malts up front with maybe some plum fruitiness underlying. Lots of alcohol on the nose. Not as complex as some others.

T- Very sweet malts; sweetness from the fruit. Some spice comes through but a very dry oak flavored brew. I think the alcohol kills most of the flavors that wish to come out. However, still not a bad brew.

F- Holy 12% Batman! This one whacks you. It tricks you into thinking it may be very billowy and smooth, but the drying as it crosses your palate, making way for the alcohol burn, warms your belly. Fun to say the least.

D- I picked this up due to a sparkley bottle, and I'm glad I did at $5.99 a bottle. Not bad to drink, good for a winter evening!

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2005 02:44:22 | More by Fish113d

Zorro

California

4.13/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Slightly hazy medium brown beer with a small tan head.

Smell is sweet fruits and spice and a clear alcohol scent. Brown sugar, apple, plum, raisin, cinnamon, are all in here. The alcohol carries the scent of brandy and it does have some cognac scents to it.

Taste is sweet and spicy. Lots of fruit flavor to this lots of apple and cherry flavor with a good dose of alcohol warmth to it. Alcohol is noticeable and serves to make for a dry aftertaste. Brown sugar and honey in the taste. Tastes like spiced brandy. Only flaw it has is that the high alcohol level is killing some of the complexity.

Mouthfeel is very good.

An enjoyable beer here but the alcohol level costs it some points in drinkability and flavor. An excellent winter sipping beer here that I can recommend, but you are not going to drink 6 of these in a night.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2005 01:41:49 | More by Zorro

BrewMaster

California

4.15/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Poured from a small bottle into a Duvel glass. The beer has a clean reddish color with very little head on top.

Smell: Caramel, molasses, brown sugar, raisins. Very sweet and spicy with a malty and yeasty aroma.

Taste: Strong alcohol flavor up front, sweet, chewy, bready taste with a rich burnt caramel flavor. A lightly floral and bitter ending with a bit of tartness at the end.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth and velvety on the palate.

Drinkability: This beer is good but not great in my opinion. The alcohol taste is just way too strong up front making the beer feel very unbalanced.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2005 00:24:57 | More by BrewMaster

shapudding

Pennsylvania

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

No dating. Clear, amber, woodsy chestnut. Caught a slight bit of chill haze. Light khaki head, just a nice dusting and thick ring of tight bubbles. Nice thin, but good covering. Aroma of sweet caramel, maltiness and just a bit of flowery hops coming out. Silky, yet you feel the carbonation, which is thick and nice. Good bite in there! Nice! Hard to tell where the bite is coming from, the carbonation, the peppery hops, and a bit from the alcohol warmth.... I’m liking it! Fairly astringent, with a nice bit of warmth from the alcohol. The flavors are not too intense at all for me. This is just so damn nice. Highly enjoyable as a sipper or with a good cheese plate.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2005 01:29:52 | More by shapudding