Affligem Noël
Brouwerij De Smedt / Brouwerij Affligem

Affligem NoëlAffligem Noël
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From:
Brouwerij De Smedt / Brouwerij Affligem
 
Belgium
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
9%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.08 | pDev: 9.8%
Reviews:
343
Ratings:
576
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jun 07, 2020
Added:
Dec 18, 2001
Wants:
  58
Gots:
  48
No description / notes.
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Ratings by TruePerception:
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Rated by TruePerception from California

3.5/5  rDev -14.2%

Dec 28, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.1 by smi69 from New York

Jun 07, 2020
Photo of tobelerone
Reviewed by tobelerone from New Jersey

4.04/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
2011 bottle holding up surprisingly well. Nice khaki colored head slowly dissipating over a chestnut colored body. Nose and flavor are nice if a little lacking in complexity compared to some others in the style. Dark fruits, spicy and phenolic, some booze apparent and a modest bitterness in the finish. While not all that full bodied there’s a nice creaminess to the feel with medium carbonation. I suspect this is a little less lively after all those years in the bottle.
Dec 15, 2019
 
Rated: 4.51 by deejay_al from Switzerland

Dec 07, 2018
 
Rated: 3.56 by desint from Belgium

Nov 06, 2018
Photo of REVZEB
Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois

4.06/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Has a nice warm booziness, like cognac or brandy, that really compliments the christmas spices, plum and of course the yeast. Surprisingly full bodied given affligem beers, but it is nice. Smell more full and rich compared to taste, but both are well balanced and delightful
Sep 21, 2018
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Reviewed by chinchill from South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
750 ml cork and wire bottle with no clear bottling date but it has been cellared for at least 2 years.
Pours clear reddish brown with a very durable and creamy beige head. Good lacing that quickly slides down the sides of the glass.
Aroma: rich smells of dark dried fruits, light spices, and fruit cake.
Flavor: follows the aroma. Very well balanced and harmonious mix of flavors including dates and raisins. Slightly sweet but with a lightly bitter finish.
Feel: full body with rather lively carbonation.
Jul 09, 2018
 
Rated: 3.94 by Duncian from Pennsylvania

Feb 06, 2018
 
Rated: 4.34 by jcb7472 from Florida

Jun 01, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by jvgoor3786 from Arkansas

Dec 04, 2016
 
Rated: 4.75 by LennyBound from Illinois

Jun 25, 2016
Photo of bushbeer75
Reviewed by bushbeer75 from Michigan

4.09/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
poured from a 1pt. 6 oz. brown bottle - bottled on 09/04/2013

Affligem Noel Christmas Ale has a dark amber colored body. The 1-finger head produced was tan and bubbly. The head had good retention. The nose picked up the aroma of malt, dark fruits, and light spices. The taste has the flavor of dark fruit [raisins], brown sugar, caramel, and a little bready. The spices seemed weaker than the nose...maybe due to its age? Mouth feel is smooth and creamy with a medium body and carbonation.

Noel Christmas Ale is just right for the holiday season. It's tasty and easy to drink.
Jan 04, 2016
Photo of MaximalC
Reviewed by MaximalC from Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
*Bottle dated 9/04/13

Pours a murky garnett color with a finger’s worth of beige head that soon dissipates. The aroma evokes a fine Belgian chocolate--candied cherry and nougat in a chocolate shell, dusted with brown sugar.

The taste features raisins, clove, and a touch of cherry cough syrup up front. Aggressive carbonation subdues all but the sweetest, spiciest flavors in the early going. Alcohol provides a little more warmth than I would prefer, but not terribly so. Warming reveals some light toffee and brown sugar notes, as well as a bit of a sour tang to add some complexity. Medium body, along with the aforementioned carbonation, afford a peppy albeit unremarkable mouthfeel.

Overall, this is a sweet, warming beer that’s appropriate for the season. The complexity isn’t exactly through the roof, and the carbonation is a bit much for my tastes, but it remains a serviceable brew. Bear in mind that this bottle has aged over two years, so I can’t say how faithfully it reflects its fresh identity.
Jan 01, 2016
 
Rated: 3.56 by Cdidden from Pennsylvania

Jan 01, 2016
 
Rated: 3.93 by Zylod from West Virginia

Dec 31, 2015
 
Rated: 4.21 by Bubbawilly88 from California

Dec 25, 2015
 
Rated: 4.23 by PJCarnell from Massachusetts

Dec 24, 2015
Photo of NO13BABY
Rated by NO13BABY from Maine

4.54/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
This was aged 3 years, so I'm sure it developed some interesting characteristics!
Dec 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4.36 by reitzbrewing from Pennsylvania

Dec 13, 2015
 
Rated: 4.04 by benlhoest from Belgium

Nov 02, 2015
Affligem Noël from Brouwerij De Smedt / Brouwerij Affligem
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 576 ratings