St. Bernardus Christmas Ale

From St. Bernard Brouwerij – St. Bernardus Christmas Ale is the youngest descendant in the illustrious family of delicious Abbey Ales by Brewery St. Bernardus. This specialty beer of 10% alc. vol. is characterized by its deep dark colour, with a creamy, thick head and a full, almost velvety taste with a fruity nose. It’s a seasonal ale, brewed annually for the holiday season. The long winter nights are perfect moments to savour this ale with or without friends and to enjoy its unique, complex taste and after-taste.

St. Bernardus Christmas Ale – 750 ml bottle, Vintage 2010 – Poured into a goblet. 10% abv. Purchased at Certified Market, Monrovia, CA

Appearance: Pours a dark auburn with a decent tight knit cap of white.

Aroma: Dark fruit, candi sugar, bread crust and bubble gum.

Taste: Vinous fruity note, spicy yeast, bread crust and brown sugar.

Mouthfeel: Over carbonated to the point it was hard to taste. Medium bodied.

Overall: I seemed to have appreciated this in previous years.  This wasn’t a gusher, but it was definitely too fizzy for my enjoyment.