Bière De Noël (Winter Ale)
Brasserie de l'Abbaye du Val-Dieu

 

 

Somewhat cloudy pale amber color,with a substantial creamy ivory head that stays around to the end, great retention and lots of nice lacing.
The aroma is Belgian yeast, bananas, cloves, coriander, pears, very nice. The taste is the same with the addition of vanilla, peaches and hints of citrus and pepper.
The body is light/medium, plenty of fizzy carbonation, smooth, barely noticeable ABV and very drinkable. This would be great with holiday fare or for after dinner sipping, very well done.

 

 

 

Cloudy amber with a huge white head, great retention, bands of lace
Lots of spice, lots of malt on the nose, there's a floral bit to it, some fruitiness
Heavy malt, yeast fruit, yeast spice, big malt flavor
Medium-heavy body, high carbonation keeps it drinkable
I really like this

Large bottle with a best before December 26 expiration date. Ale pours a clear, rich apricot color with a thin head of dense foam that manages to stick around a good while. Notes of coriander, cinnamon...maybe clove? In the nose. Light and pleasant. Tastes of light caramel, hops, some other notes I have a hard time placing. Light in the mouthfeel, lingering flavors of malt and spice. A little alcoholic heat but it doesn't overpower. To me it reminds one of a tripel more than a strong ale.

Happy to have found this at Whole Foods, probably seasonal only so if you can find it give it a try while you can.

Found this at my local liquor store. Just in time for the holidays. This was the perfect beer to start my Thanksgiving Day. Sweet and bubbly in the mouth. 7% but hits harder or maybe it was the fact I was drinking on an empty stomach.

awesome beer from a brewery you dont see around much, at least in my world, large format, cork and cage, artsy green label that just says winter ale, looks like the used to have a quad as a winter beer just dubbed winter, also listed here, but this blonde one is what is happening now, very solid, classically belgian, hits like a tripel to me, sweet and fuller with familiar belgian yeast esters, high quality stuff though, glad to have found it! i love belgian beer during holiday season, always have, always will. muted blonde, somewhat fuller, mid level haze, and a high white belgian looking head, puffy and nearly two inches tall in our wine glasses and long lasting, not immaculately refined but really well bottle conditioned it appears. aroma of stewed pear, white dessert wine, vanilla, creme brulee, and light banana, its fruity as well as spicy, some clove character too, and plenty of grain, almost porridge-like on the malt side, wheaty i suspect, classically belgian but also distinctive, white pepper and coriander seed as it warms, and most of this is there in the flavor too, which is sweet much of the way, a rock candy kind of slow melt vibe, with the fruit and grain in the middle and the yeasty spice later, hints of bitter orange, allspice, fennel seed, and sauternes. confectionary sugar, cooked apple and mulled cider, flambee banana, starchy grain with some rawness to it too. super fluffy feeling, a tad filling, minimally alcoholic, and a little different take on winter beer from a belgian brewery, which is cool. coriander and butterscotch late, epic carbonation. fun stuff, great find, these guys really make some fantastic beers and its been way too long for me!

 

 

Pours a cloudy golden wheat color, with ample foam that last for a long time. Smells strongly of phenolic Belgian yeast with a bit of grain and spice. Flavor starts with grain but fruity flavors, peach, raisin & lemon, coming on quickly, along with a bit of allspice. These carry smoothly into the aftertaste with a bit of alcohol. Mouth feel is smooth, with persistent carbonation balancing medium body quite effectively. Overall, this is a very nice Belgian strong ale, although the holiday elements are fairly muted.

 

Bottle 0.75L.
Slightly hazy golden-to-copper body with an average, frothy, off-white head, mostly diminishing with some nice lacing, though.
Light malty (caramel) and hoppy (orange) aroma with notes of spices and alcohol.
Moderate sweet and light bitter flavour with a very light acidic note; average-lasting sweetish finish.
Medium body with oily texture; soft carbonation; light alcoholic warming in the finish.

Poured from a tall, dark bottle, I was expecting a darker, perhaps amber type of ale. But this brew flowed from the bottle golden, and played like a strong golden Belgian ale. Mild vinous nose, barely perceptible. Topped with a pillowy, ample white head. Fruity flavors are featured, with white grapes and apricot leading the charge. Mellow on the spices giving the beer an easier mouthfeel--smooth, but mild over sharp for sure.

 

Pours an amber color with a slight head and lacing
Aroma has fruity and spice hints
Taste has well balanced fruity and spice flavors
A medium bodied well carbonated beer
A nicely balanced Belgian Strong Ale

Pours clear until yeast sediment enters the glass, forming clouds that gradually fog throughout. It has a reddish copper color (SRM 7-12). Two inches of thick fluffy white head eventually holds at one half inch. Belgian lace coats the Pretentious Glass Company Crispy Boi Tulip. Fine carbonation rises in columns throughout.

The aroma is filled with delicate holiday spices, primarily ginger, allspice, and clove. A rich white wine counters light whiskey and apple cider. Apricot comes out just before peppery coriander as it warms. A light funkiness forms a drone note.

Similar to the aroma, the flavor is very complex. Light bitterness is in proportion to the sweetness. The spices, however, are a bit muddled together. Apple cider and white wine are strong. It is bright and floral. The middle brings out ginger and apricot, while the long, mild finish focuses on mulled cider. As it warms, it becomes dryer. Warmth clearly improves this beer, however, the flavors begin to fade as it reaches room temperature.

It has a full body and lively carbonation, while the texture is similar to warn canvas. The alcohol is more prominent than I had expected, especially as it warms.

This was enjoyable during a relaxed afternoon. I paired it with ripe Brie which was okay, however, the beer is better on its own.