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Christmas Ale
Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV
- From:
- Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV
- Belgium
- Style:
- Quadrupel (Quad)
Ranked #20 - ABV:
- 10%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #2,271 - Avg:
- 4.23 | pDev: 8.98%
- Reviews:
- 870
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 16, 2024
- Added:
- Oct 23, 2007
- Wants:
- 217
- Gots:
- 540
St. Bernardus Christmas Ale is a dark, seasonal beer, full of wintery character and flavours that we brew every year ready for the festive season.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by allforbetterbeer:
Reviewed by allforbetterbeer from Colorado
4.29/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.29/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2014 vintage into a chimay chalice.
Pours with plentiful carbonation forming a nearly everlasting off white head of billowy Belgian-classic head. Looks dark brown in low light but shows a misty autumn tinged rusty glow when held to light.
Smells light a true classic BSDA. Rich and layered malts coming off the foamy head Brings to mind platters of bread and cracked barley cereal. Yeasty esters are present but not out of control. A hint of banana and clove and a touch of classic Belgian yeasty herbal bite.
The flavor is like a multiple course dinner. Explosive carbonation blows up the initial yeasty esters on the palate. This is great, and is followed by some nice spices that make me think of holiday tea. Cinnamon perhaps? I am finding these to be very subtle, and take a 3rd row jump seat to the massive and poised nature of this big Belgian. After the spices comes the warm dark bready notes of the malts. There is a bit of dried fruit here as well, but it is held firmly down by the yeasty bite of a "relatively" young quad.
There is very little "heat", but a fair amount of bite from the strong estery yeast presence. The feel is on the dry side and not at all heavy because of all the carbonation.
This is excellent stuff as I would expect from this brewery. Why have I never tasted it before? I have three more bottles to cellar and I expect them to improve. Hopefully after a year or so the spices will integrate a bit, and as they fade after more years I hope to see some development of the dark fruit, leather, tobacco favors that can show up in the great quads as they age. Maybe the spices will be able to last till then too, time will tell.
Dec 03, 2014Pours with plentiful carbonation forming a nearly everlasting off white head of billowy Belgian-classic head. Looks dark brown in low light but shows a misty autumn tinged rusty glow when held to light.
Smells light a true classic BSDA. Rich and layered malts coming off the foamy head Brings to mind platters of bread and cracked barley cereal. Yeasty esters are present but not out of control. A hint of banana and clove and a touch of classic Belgian yeasty herbal bite.
The flavor is like a multiple course dinner. Explosive carbonation blows up the initial yeasty esters on the palate. This is great, and is followed by some nice spices that make me think of holiday tea. Cinnamon perhaps? I am finding these to be very subtle, and take a 3rd row jump seat to the massive and poised nature of this big Belgian. After the spices comes the warm dark bready notes of the malts. There is a bit of dried fruit here as well, but it is held firmly down by the yeasty bite of a "relatively" young quad.
There is very little "heat", but a fair amount of bite from the strong estery yeast presence. The feel is on the dry side and not at all heavy because of all the carbonation.
This is excellent stuff as I would expect from this brewery. Why have I never tasted it before? I have three more bottles to cellar and I expect them to improve. Hopefully after a year or so the spices will integrate a bit, and as they fade after more years I hope to see some development of the dark fruit, leather, tobacco favors that can show up in the great quads as they age. Maybe the spices will be able to last till then too, time will tell.
More User Ratings:
Rated by brianstrong2 from Tennessee
4.54/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.54/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Seriously great option. Not quite as good as Abt 12, but solidly 2nd favorite option from Sint Bernardus.
Feb 16, 2024Reviewed by Nass from Florida
4/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The pour is amber colored. The 10% abv is well hidden. The body is medium to heavy & on the taste I'm getting some brown bread, dates, fig, toffee, banana, all spice, & clove. In general, Quads are not one of my favorite beer styles but this was one was okay. Cheers! A-
Feb 03, 2024Reviewed by scott451 from Canada (ON)
4.04/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured a 330ml bottle into a chalice. A big two finger tan head on a very dark ruby brown. Excellent head retention. Lots of fine lacing.
Fruit up front in the nose.
Tastes of toffee, caramel. Pepper as it warms. Spicy finish.
Medium body and carbonation.
Very smooth and well balanced.
Jan 21, 2024Fruit up front in the nose.
Tastes of toffee, caramel. Pepper as it warms. Spicy finish.
Medium body and carbonation.
Very smooth and well balanced.
Reviewed by BGDrock from Canada (ON)
4/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Muggy dark brown body, unfiltered, pouring a full, sandy head, with good retention of a couple minutes.
Rich caramel malt aroma, date cake, warm spices - nutmeg, clove - apple cider, raisin.
Taste has a fruity, malty sweetness, of spiced apple, a touch of molasses, cola, pecan pie, all with a yeasty tang in the finish; medium body and carbonation; feel is lightly sticky and acidic; faint heat of alcohol.
A pleasant dessert, could do well with apple pie. It avoids being heavy handed with spice or sugar, the year and malt take the lead.
Jan 09, 2024Rich caramel malt aroma, date cake, warm spices - nutmeg, clove - apple cider, raisin.
Taste has a fruity, malty sweetness, of spiced apple, a touch of molasses, cola, pecan pie, all with a yeasty tang in the finish; medium body and carbonation; feel is lightly sticky and acidic; faint heat of alcohol.
A pleasant dessert, could do well with apple pie. It avoids being heavy handed with spice or sugar, the year and malt take the lead.
Reviewed by dhebert87 from Texas
4.35/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
4.35/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
Poured into a stemmed Belgian beer glass. Dark amber color, about 1/2 inch of a caramel to cream colored head. Mild, pleasing aroma certainly not indicative of this 10% ABV quad. Smooth and slightly sweet with notes of dried fruits and a touch of inoffensive bitterness at the finish. A virgin to try this Belgian gem. Will definitely become a holiday tradition for many Christmases to come.
Jan 06, 2024Reviewed by barnzy78 from Illinois
4.33/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.33/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
11.2oz bottle; date stamped 04-2027
thanks to Ken for the beer! I’ve had this a couple of times over the years, but somehow missed a review on it
L: brown body with a persistent foamy beige cap
S: spices, Belgian yeast, dark candi sugar, caramel, toffee, banana bread
T: dark fruit, dark candi, bread crust, caramel, toffee, spice, yeast, raisin, fig, banana
F: fuller body, alcohol is warming, moderate carbonation, balanced finish
O: exactly as I remember and what I’ve come to expect from St Bernardus: world class beers
Dec 31, 2023thanks to Ken for the beer! I’ve had this a couple of times over the years, but somehow missed a review on it
L: brown body with a persistent foamy beige cap
S: spices, Belgian yeast, dark candi sugar, caramel, toffee, banana bread
T: dark fruit, dark candi, bread crust, caramel, toffee, spice, yeast, raisin, fig, banana
F: fuller body, alcohol is warming, moderate carbonation, balanced finish
O: exactly as I remember and what I’ve come to expect from St Bernardus: world class beers
Rated by DoctorRobert1969 from California
4/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Not really my style but pretty interesting. I’m sure I’m underrating it. Raisins and alcohol I say.
Dec 31, 2023Reviewed by RyanK252 from California
4.22/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.22/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle poured into a snifter on a foggy Christmas morning.
A: Pours hazy milk chocolate brown with a frothy khaki head that settles to a firm layer and leaves a little spotty lacing.
S: Dark fruit, toasty bready malt, a touch of spice, and dark sugar sweetness.
T: Dark fruit, plum, cherry, and raisin, a little spice, dark sugar, toasty bready malt.
M: On the fuller size of medium body, moderate carbonation.
O: Hits the spot on a cool Christmas day.
Dec 25, 2023A: Pours hazy milk chocolate brown with a frothy khaki head that settles to a firm layer and leaves a little spotty lacing.
S: Dark fruit, toasty bready malt, a touch of spice, and dark sugar sweetness.
T: Dark fruit, plum, cherry, and raisin, a little spice, dark sugar, toasty bready malt.
M: On the fuller size of medium body, moderate carbonation.
O: Hits the spot on a cool Christmas day.
Reviewed by H-TownMcBuck from Texas
4.22/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.22/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Amber, copper ish color, 1/4 inch head, dissipated fairly quick. Retained a slight ring. Nose is mild, sweet, nougat. Flavor is complex, much going on, malty sweetness, cloves, but way smooth, not overwhelming. Remarkably light feel for such a powerful ale. 2 sons and I all would recommend sharing together for Christmas. Cheers!
Dec 25, 2023Reviewed by MissouriMule from Missouri
4.31/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.31/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours a dark brown with a red tinge. The head is towering, on the brown side of tan, and persistent. Expect lacing to the last.
The smell is sweet and dominated by raisin and currants. There is also some boozy spice.
The taste is mostly as billed by the brewers, but I did not get the aniseed or caramel. The taste was much more akin to a homemade cherry-cinnamon-clove liqueur I concocted last year.
The feel was a bit thin, but that may be down to the length of time I held the beer in my mouth trying to detect the elusive spice notes
Dec 25, 2023The smell is sweet and dominated by raisin and currants. There is also some boozy spice.
The taste is mostly as billed by the brewers, but I did not get the aniseed or caramel. The taste was much more akin to a homemade cherry-cinnamon-clove liqueur I concocted last year.
The feel was a bit thin, but that may be down to the length of time I held the beer in my mouth trying to detect the elusive spice notes
Reviewed by brewandbbq from New Hampshire
4.3/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.3/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
750ml bottle from 2012.
Pours dark mahogany with a half-inch head of off-white. Moderate retention and lacing. Plums, dark rum, caramel apples in the nose. Medium bodied with a soft, slickish mouthfeel. Rum-soaked raisins, grape jam, boozy undertones on the palate. Finishes a bit sweet with lingering booze and candied plums.
Dec 23, 2023Pours dark mahogany with a half-inch head of off-white. Moderate retention and lacing. Plums, dark rum, caramel apples in the nose. Medium bodied with a soft, slickish mouthfeel. Rum-soaked raisins, grape jam, boozy undertones on the palate. Finishes a bit sweet with lingering booze and candied plums.
Reviewed by TheHammer from Canada (ON)
4.01/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.01/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Appearance: Poured with a thumb's worth of head that stayed around for quite some time and produced good lace. The body is a deep opaque brown that reveals nothing.
Smell: It needed quite a lot of warming to come out, and an abundance of fig and spice. It's good but it takes a long time to get there.
Taste: Rich fig and plum to start us off with hints of sweet toasted biscuit malt in the background that remind me of savoiardi cookies, only it asserts with allspice and cinnamon and a slightly bitter walnut note before a raisin and mild herb note rounds things out. It's very rich, and is just slightly overdoing things.
Mouthfeel: Carbonation makes this exceptionally creamy to drink, which backed by fairly solid transitioning. The aftertaste is mixed but is a bit cloyingly sweet. Still, the complaints are pretty mild in this case.
Drinkability: Body is very thick, which matches it's richness which really is what they are going for here. This is a once a year, strong, kitchen sink of a drink that teeters on the brink of being over exuberant and unbalanced. It certainly sicks around once you've had it.
Final Thoughts: If this wasn't branded as "Christmas Ale" I'd say as a Quad, this beer is overdone, meaning they pushed the envelope too far and was left with something that manages to stand up but feels disjointed. That said, since it is, the intent seems clear for this one. This is a once a year, drink by the fire beer you have after dinner as a replacement for desert or as a meal in itself. At 10%, your Christmas certainly won't be short on merry with this offering.
Dec 23, 2023Smell: It needed quite a lot of warming to come out, and an abundance of fig and spice. It's good but it takes a long time to get there.
Taste: Rich fig and plum to start us off with hints of sweet toasted biscuit malt in the background that remind me of savoiardi cookies, only it asserts with allspice and cinnamon and a slightly bitter walnut note before a raisin and mild herb note rounds things out. It's very rich, and is just slightly overdoing things.
Mouthfeel: Carbonation makes this exceptionally creamy to drink, which backed by fairly solid transitioning. The aftertaste is mixed but is a bit cloyingly sweet. Still, the complaints are pretty mild in this case.
Drinkability: Body is very thick, which matches it's richness which really is what they are going for here. This is a once a year, strong, kitchen sink of a drink that teeters on the brink of being over exuberant and unbalanced. It certainly sicks around once you've had it.
Final Thoughts: If this wasn't branded as "Christmas Ale" I'd say as a Quad, this beer is overdone, meaning they pushed the envelope too far and was left with something that manages to stand up but feels disjointed. That said, since it is, the intent seems clear for this one. This is a once a year, drink by the fire beer you have after dinner as a replacement for desert or as a meal in itself. At 10%, your Christmas certainly won't be short on merry with this offering.
Christmas Ale from Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
2603 ratings
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