Bush De Noël Premium
Brasserie Dubuisson Frères sprl

I may not believe in Santa anymore, but I sure as hell believe in Bush Noel. This one hits all the good sports like Jimmy Stewart in “The Shop Around the Corner.” Damn… o thought only Lubich had a “touch.” But maybe Bush Noel has one here.

 

Had two 0.25l glasses of this on tap at Kulminator in Antwerp on 01OCT22. Cost per glass was €3.80. Also of note - this was from 2014 (!!) and was listed as being 12.0% ABV.....

It was a dark, opaque brew, with a chestnut brown color. Couldn't see any carbo, but the head was a creamy, 1/4" layer of foam which lasted well and left nice lacing. Had a sweetish aroma, with caramel and some dark fruit. Body was medium, and it was very smooth going down.

Taste had loads of malty sweetness, with currants, dates, raisins and caramelized brown sugar making appearances. Had not bitterness whatsoever, with some earthy notes in the finish. Was rich and sweet but never cloying. Enjoyed this very much with my table-mate Stanislav at the Kulminator. Prosit!

4.29/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

2370

 

 

L:
-pours a clear copper with a medium,foamy,grey-ish head
-low to medium carbonation visible
S:
-malty,caramel,plum,raisins,light chocolate notes
T:
-Follows the nose + sugar sweetness
F:
-medium carbonation
-full body
-Boozy
O:
A good, big Winter Beer that doesn't show all that much Depth.

 

 

This is a review from 02 Feb 2011.

Clear, bright copper with a minimal beige head that immediately drops, leaving little lace and some film.

Spicy brandy with marinated fruit and spice cake aromas.

Spicy with sharp alcohol and a sweet, long finish. There are also some dark fruits, nutmeg, and a little Belgian barnyard.

Alcohol is as anticipated, while the carbonation is vigorous and the body is light.

An enjoyable sipping beer from a Scaldis chalice with cheese and hors d’oeuvres.

330ml bottle from Good Spirits Co. Wine & Beer, Glasgow (£5):
Red to copper amber with a thumb sized, foamy head that's beige & holds incredibly well. It's sweet & slightly malty on the nose with some caramel & rich notes then a little alcohol at the end. It's lively & has plenty dark malt flavours, some raisin & hints of caramel too. It's a touch fainter at the end but it's boozy & quite warming, going down quite well throughout.

 

I've chosen this Xmas bush as my 800th review... what's in a name?... First off my bottle is marked 12% vs the listed^ 13%.
The first surprise for such a beer is that it has been filtered, there is zero sediment to worry about stirring up.
L- Mid to dark chestnut, clear, pours with 1Cm head of ultra-fine tan foam, holds well.
S- Like a piece of cold British Xmas pudding, deep with some mild spices. Hints of alcohol come through, at time somewhat wine-like. The reference to 'cold pudding' is a compliment by the way, it has more flavour like that.
T- Wow, pungent, deep roast fruits, broad richness balanced by the strident alcohol tang hitting the back of the palate on the finish.
F- It's a big beast alright, one for slow-sipping - I'd poured this chilled from the fridge, and now 10 minutes later it's certainly opening up, if anything the flavour is more aromatic and the alcohol really zinging. For full impact I'd suggest pouring this a notch or two above fridge-fresh.
O- It's a big beast, and I can readily imagine sipping away at this like a dessert wine with pudding after a winter dinner. The richness and depth of flavour go a looong way to obscuring the ABV%. Would I drink it again - hell yes! Just a shame it's so crazy-$ in London, in £/L it's got to be in the Top-10 expensive beers I've ever bought.
330ml bottle. Bought from Wholefoods in London W8 £4.49 BB: 26/08/2021

Amber copper color with a thick thin head.
Aroma with notes of cherries, oak, slightly toasted malts and lots of candied fruits.
Flavor with notes of candied sugar, toasted malts, apple puree, pineapple juice, wood and prunes. Dry aftertaste with faint bitterness.
Medium to full body with mild carbonation. No way some could tell this is 12.5%
Sweet Christmas beer with malty and wood notes.

 

Bottled, bottle conditioned and subjected to a complicated and precise cooling system
Pours a cola looking body with some small cream bubbles
Brown sugar aromas
Brown shuggah flavour
Not big but not subtle but not unpleasant

 

on draft, into Bush stemmed glass

clear, dark golden in color, thick white head. boozy aroma of fruit and Belgian yeast spice. similar flavor, you can tell the beer is strong. thin to medium bodied.

Dangerous for that holiday party with relatives, because this one goes down smooth, is full of the holiday spirit (of winter berries, caramel, dark, creamy malts, christmas spices, gingerbread, brown sugar) and most importantly that 13% abv is very hard to detect. Remember that when stuck in a conversation with that weird uncle with this in your hand! Flavors enhance as it warms up, especially in the smell.