Christmas ale – Let's Learn Beer!

happy surprise

by Ceit
December 12, 2023November 30, 2023

Another step into the lighter side with a specifically Christmas beer. Belgian, of course. And more than 8%, so that’s one for the Christmas party. I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of Bocq before, although I might have just forgotten, since I don’t go for Belgian beers as a general habit. I have definitely not tried Gauloise, even if I have had some other bit of brewing from them.

Dark ruddy brown liquid and barely beige fluffy head, festive looking and smelling. It has a very bright and cidery aroma, with hints of lemon and melon. The look makes me expect cinnamon or ginger, but I can’t pick it out. The taste is almost shockingly alcoholy, even knowing the strength of the beer ahead of time. It has a sort of liquid metal feel to it, slippery and moveable, but with a noticeable heft. Although there is a bit of a tang upfront, there isn’t the typical Belgian aftertaste, which I appreciate. I expected a little more of a warming effect, either from the strength or from the psychological idea of a Christmas beer, but it turns out to be a light touch, just a joy for the palate without burying you. As a final secret gift, there is cinnamon if you let the beer warm up a little more. As seasonal beers go, it’s a triumph!

Supplier: Labirratorium
Price: €2.85

let down

by Ceit
December 8, 2023November 18, 2023

Another pre-holiday holiday, so maybe it’s a good time to break out another seasonal beer. St. Peter’s has a safe place among beers, so it seemed like the way to go rather than another Belgian. There are plenty of days left to give another one a chance. Christmas Ale has a more festive label than their standard beers and promises some festive flavors as well.

Similar in appearance to Delirium, but less explosive. There’s kind of a fruitcake aroma to it, happy and light. But, there’s something else in there too, something dark and … peppery? It definitely has a stronger flavor than Delirium, but it’s a weird, kind of dishwatery flavor. Is the Christmas ale off? It certainly doesn’t have the spicy tastes that the label says, and there is that bit of cardboard that isn’t a great thing for a beer’s preservation status. It feels like it’s trying to come back from the poor first impression, throwing a little apple cider into the mix, but it just doesn’t come up to expectations. Kind of sad, but maybe we should be more used to disappointments these days.

Supplier: Más Que Cervezas
Price: €4.99