-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Corsendonk Christmas Ale
Brouwerij Corsendonk
- From:
- Brouwerij Corsendonk
- Belgium
- Style:
- Belgian Dark Strong Ale
Ranked #24 - ABV:
- 8.1%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #4,298 - Avg:
- 4.15 | pDev: 10.12%
- Reviews:
- 669
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 11, 2024
- Added:
- Nov 22, 2001
- Wants:
- 98
- Gots:
- 215
Brewed with Pale, Munich and Caramunich malts; Kent Goldings hops. This is a rich, dark, joyous brew with which to celebrate the holiday season. It’s aroma of chocolate malt and spiciness is reminiscent of the wonderfull smells of holiday baking in Mom’s kitchen. Silky smooth on the palate, it’s predominantly malty, with smoky, spicy and citrusy notes and a long, lingering finish that is lightly tart and malty. Bottle conditioned for a fresh, lively taste. Round and well balanced, it’s a welcome addition for holiday tables and beyond.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by LiquidAmber:
Reviewed by LiquidAmber from Washington
3.95/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.95/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a dark, hazy reddish amber with a massive light tan head with good retention and great lacing. Aroma of dried and fresh dark fruit, bready malt and an almost minerally spicing. Flavor follows, dominated by dark dried fruit, brown sugar, coriander and oxidation flavors. Finishes semi-dry with dark fruit, spicing and faint hops. Medium bodied. The bottle has a "best before" date of 2015, but serious online research does not reveal how that translates to bottling date. There is noticeable, but pleasant oxidation flavor here, so I'm curious how old the bottle is. A pleasant, but somewhat understated Belgian strong dark ale.
Mar 06, 2013More User Ratings:
Reviewed by TheBigBoy from Pennsylvania
3.02/5 rDev -27.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.02/5 rDev -27.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This one is not overdone with holiday spices or flavors. That said, this is a belgian which is not my thing. If you like a heartier belgia ale, this may be z holidsy go to for you.
Dec 29, 2023Rated by PaMike from Pennsylvania
4.78/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
4.78/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Malty, smooth, and sweet.
Dec 29, 2023Reviewed by Shiredave from New York
4.45/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.45/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
A beautiful Holiday Ale in every regard from look, nose, flavor and finish.
A true treat in tap and served in it's own goblet.
Caged and corked bottles make a fantastic gift for a beer lover and many a non beer drinker has found enlightenment when introduced to this fine brew.
Dec 29, 2023A true treat in tap and served in it's own goblet.
Caged and corked bottles make a fantastic gift for a beer lover and many a non beer drinker has found enlightenment when introduced to this fine brew.
Reviewed by BJB13 from Maryland
4.52/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.52/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
330 ml bottle poured into a Spiegelau wheat beer glass.
L: Clear, coppery brown, 3 finger rocky head with lots of lace,
S: Clean spicy hop aroma,
T: Malt forward and sweet, bread crust, raisin and plum, dark sugars, notes of cinnamon and spice at finish.
F: Medium body, smooth, enough carbonation to bring a crisper feel to close.
O: Very easy to drink, maybe too easy for 8%, very good.
Dec 28, 2023L: Clear, coppery brown, 3 finger rocky head with lots of lace,
S: Clean spicy hop aroma,
T: Malt forward and sweet, bread crust, raisin and plum, dark sugars, notes of cinnamon and spice at finish.
F: Medium body, smooth, enough carbonation to bring a crisper feel to close.
O: Very easy to drink, maybe too easy for 8%, very good.
Reviewed by MadMadMike from France
4.12/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.12/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
33 cL bottle, poured chilled into a taster’s snifter, in Toulouse, France. Tight tanish head oozes up over clear brown ale.
Nose is sweet malt with plummy stone fruit vapours. Spice levels could be ramped up a tad, it being a Christmas ale and all.
Taste is also sublime, the mix of pit fruit pairs well with the sugary malt sweet. There’s a hint of chamomile tea that begs description. Hops are restrained.
Smooth mouth. Medium-high carbonation.
Overall, not too ‘festive’, but a nice seasonal Strong Ale.
Dec 27, 2023Nose is sweet malt with plummy stone fruit vapours. Spice levels could be ramped up a tad, it being a Christmas ale and all.
Taste is also sublime, the mix of pit fruit pairs well with the sugary malt sweet. There’s a hint of chamomile tea that begs description. Hops are restrained.
Smooth mouth. Medium-high carbonation.
Overall, not too ‘festive’, but a nice seasonal Strong Ale.
Reviewed by CBlack85 from South Carolina
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from an 11.2oz bottle into a Boulevard Smokestack Stemmed Tulip
Over the last couple of years I have started really enjoying the Belgian Dark Strong Ales, and this one did not disappoint!
The beer pours a muddy brown color with a large foamy off white head that recedes quickly and leaves no lacing behind.
Rich and dark, with notes of rye bread and dark fruit complimented by a mild spiciness and slightly tart finish. The beer is well carbonated and medium/full bodied.
I really enjoyed this beer and will keep it on my list of holiday faves
Dec 18, 2023Over the last couple of years I have started really enjoying the Belgian Dark Strong Ales, and this one did not disappoint!
The beer pours a muddy brown color with a large foamy off white head that recedes quickly and leaves no lacing behind.
Rich and dark, with notes of rye bread and dark fruit complimented by a mild spiciness and slightly tart finish. The beer is well carbonated and medium/full bodied.
I really enjoyed this beer and will keep it on my list of holiday faves
Reviewed by nasty15108 from New York
3.86/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.86/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
L- Deep Mahogany with Ruby Red hues. The pour created a fluffy tan head with decent scattered lacing.
S- A sweet candied aroma. Definite hints of Christmas spices, but not overdone or artificial smelling in anyway.
T- Bready and sweet like a nice slice of Panettone. Finishes with a decent amount of bitterness.
F- Nice mouth feel. Definitely medium bodied but lives a nice coating in your mouth.
O- A very well made Belgian Strong Christmas Ale, True to the style, relatively easy to drink and very tasty. Paired extremely well with some Sahlen's hot dogs.
Dec 10, 2023S- A sweet candied aroma. Definite hints of Christmas spices, but not overdone or artificial smelling in anyway.
T- Bready and sweet like a nice slice of Panettone. Finishes with a decent amount of bitterness.
F- Nice mouth feel. Definitely medium bodied but lives a nice coating in your mouth.
O- A very well made Belgian Strong Christmas Ale, True to the style, relatively easy to drink and very tasty. Paired extremely well with some Sahlen's hot dogs.
Reviewed by hopsputin from New Jersey
4.17/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.17/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
a: murky dark ruby red and purple color with a frothy 2.5 finger dark tan head
s: fig, date, leather, candi sugar and fruit bread. crusty rye bread and chewy toffee. raisins and cardamom. a bit of coriander and pepper spice. faint honey bread at the end
t: dark bread and lots of coriander and cardamom upfront. sticky toffee and candied dates. figs, leather, and caramel. sweet fruit cake and crusty bread
m: medium mouthfeel with moderate carbonation
o: decent complexity on this. On the sweeter side, but not too much, with just enough balance
Dec 10, 2023s: fig, date, leather, candi sugar and fruit bread. crusty rye bread and chewy toffee. raisins and cardamom. a bit of coriander and pepper spice. faint honey bread at the end
t: dark bread and lots of coriander and cardamom upfront. sticky toffee and candied dates. figs, leather, and caramel. sweet fruit cake and crusty bread
m: medium mouthfeel with moderate carbonation
o: decent complexity on this. On the sweeter side, but not too much, with just enough balance
Reviewed by Caoimhin from Pennsylvania
4.31/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.31/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured into the Corsendonk goblet that came with buying 2 four packs
Look - deep ruby red color, thick off-white, reddish tinged head, lots of bubbles, heavy lacing
Smell - roasted malt, alcohol
Taste - prunes and raisins, dark chocolate finish, little bit of spice
Feel - heavy and hearty ale, filling
Overall - This beer is better and bigger than the sum of its parts.
Dec 02, 2023Look - deep ruby red color, thick off-white, reddish tinged head, lots of bubbles, heavy lacing
Smell - roasted malt, alcohol
Taste - prunes and raisins, dark chocolate finish, little bit of spice
Feel - heavy and hearty ale, filling
Overall - This beer is better and bigger than the sum of its parts.
Reviewed by raphhix from Tennessee
4.13/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.13/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours dark brown, opaque through the glass but a translucent reddish brown around the edges, with a nice tawny head. Smell is dark bread with a little raisin and some spice. Carbonation is very fine, unobtrusive. Taste starts with strong malty sweetness, some dark fruit (raisin or plum) and ends with an almost liquor-like smoothness. For an 8.1% ABV, the aftertaste is very smooth. The spice content is mild, more coriander than cinnamon, and honestly weak for a "Christmas" beer. The combination of fine carbonation and smoothness of the malt and alcohol provide a very nice mouthfeel. Overall, this is an outstanding strong ale, but a little lacking as a holiday beer.
Nov 18, 2023
Corsendonk Christmas Ale from Brouwerij Corsendonk
Beer rating:
92 out of
100 with
1371 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!