Straffe Hendrik Xmas Blend Barrel Age Quadruple Blend

Posted on by Evan

I have been to Brewer De Haan Man in Bruges, Belgium. They produce Straffe Hendrik, and this particular beer is the Xmas Blend Barrel-Aged Quadruple, which is 11% ABV. This beer is only available at Christmas time in 750ml bottles. This quad is bottled fermented and aged in American or French oak, either a whiskey, rum, or Bordeaux, and Calvados. They also use young quadruple ale as well as barrel-aged beer. This quad pours brown with a one-finger cream beige head. That head sticks to the top of the beer like a creamy film. The aroma is of vanilla, sweetness, and it’s boozy. The flavor is sweet, vanilla, booze, and light nutty flavors. This has a full-bodied mouthfeel. Then this beer finishes with a rich vanilla and boozy flavor. The aftertaste is light, with sweet vanilla notes that do linger for a while. This Xmas Blend is a delicious beer that gets an A+. It is 11% ABV, but that is not really reflected in the flavor. I would highly recommend this to you. It has a good, strong flavor without being too overpowering. This would be a great addition to any holiday party. Please stay safe, be kind to each other, and remember to enjoy responsibly! Cheers!

Brewery Heyghe Delirium Noël

Posted on by Evan

Made in Melle, Belgium, outside Gent, a short drive away, Delirium Noël is a Christmas beer or winter ale, 10% ABV. This beer is seasonal and available during the holidays. Noël pours brown/red with a two-finger beige slow head. The aroma is spiced, dark fruits, boozy and sweet. The flavor is strong, spicy, sweet, and smooth. The mouthfeel is full and slightly rice. Noël finishes with a strong bit of booze and sweet/spiced notes. The aftertaste is baking spices with sweetness. This is a good Christmas beer that is an A. It has a good spiced profile that cuts the alcohol notes and some sweetness, making this a delicious recommendation. But it’s only around for the holidays, so go for it! Please stay safe, be kind to each other, and remember to enjoy responsibility! Cheers!

Victory Brewing Company Merry Monkey Belgian-Style Ale

Posted on by Evan

Merry Monkey is a Belgian-style ale with cranberry, orange peel, nutmeg, and Cinnamon. This beer is 10% ABV and is from Victory Brewing Company. This ale also has Cascade and Tettnang hops with Pilsner and roasted malt barley. This beer is part of Victory’s Monkey beers, but this particular beer is only available during the holidays. It’s a Christmas beer, after all. This beer pours copper with a one-finger white head. It says for a short while, then fades. The aroma is Cinnamon, nutmeg, and some orange. It does not really smell of cranberries The flavor is of cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, light cranberries, and a bit boozy. This does taste like a Belgian Christmas beer. The mouthfeel is more on the fuller side. Then, it finishes with an alcoholic hit of cinnamon and nutmeg. There is a bit of a fading cranberry note on the finishes. The cranberry fades away on the aftertaste with some cinnamon and nutmeg-covered orange that lingers. Merry Monkey is an A. I am not a cinnamon fan, but it had a tolerable flavor here. This beer has a well-brewed flavor profile, making it a delicious beer you should have. Please stay safe, be kind to each other, and remember to enjoy responsibly! Cheers!

Brouwerij St. Bernardus Christmas Ale

Posted on by Evan

Christmas is coming soon, and it might be too early for a Christmas beer. But here is St. Bernardus Christmas Ale. This beer is produced by Brouwerij St. Bernardus in Watuo, Belgium. This Christmas Quadruple ale is 10% ABV. St. Bernardus uses a unique yeast that dates back to 1946. The beer pours a dark brown color with a one-and-a-half-finger sticky beige head. The aroma is of Aniseed, dried fruits, sweetness, and light caramel. The flavor is on the rich side. The beer tastes sweet, dried fruits, boozy, roasted chestnuts, and hints of chocolate. This beer feels full in your mouth. This ale finishes with a little boozy, sweet, nutty, and light fruitiness. The aftertaste is semi-sweet and boozy with some light fruity and nut notes. This beer is tasty and sneaks up on you. Yes, it is on the boozy side. It does not feel strong on alcohol. St. Bernadues Christmas Ale is an A+. I highly recommend this one. It has no flaws and it is delicious. Please stay safe, be kind to each other, and remember to enjoy responsibly! Cheers!