Saint Alphonsus
Bull N Bear Brewery

On draught at the brewery. It pours a color between ruby and iced tea with a thin, ecru colored head and minimal lacing. The fruity nose features apple and plum, along with clove. Like the smell the taste is fruit-forward with apple, plum, raisin and, as the glass warms notes of banana. It's quite spicy with abundant coriander, clove, and pepper. There is also a hint of caramel. One thing you won't miss is the bitterness through and particularly at the finish. I don't think I've ever experienced so much bitterness in a Dubbel. But it nicely balances the sweetness of the fruit. It's well-bodied with a pleasant level of carbonation and the 9% ABV gives it good substance. Overall, Saint Alphonsus is well-crafted with lots of flavor and a hint of attitude. It's a fine beer to drink during Christmas week.