St Bernardus...difference between Christmas Ale/Abt 12?

Honestly I can't tell much of a difference although I've never done a side by side. Still both are delicious and in my top 50 for sure.

 

I have no specific knowledge, but for me the difference is one is slightly better than the other. I'm just never sure which one that was.

 

Never did a side-by-side, but I will drink either of those any time I can. Abt 12 is one of my favorite beers of all time. And now I want one.

 

Both are very similiar, but a little different. I think I prefer the 12 slightly. I am so pumped they are finally selling St Bernardus in CT again. You cannot go wrong with anything they make (especially the 12 and Christmas).

 

Christmas Ale is the only St. Bernardus beer I've had. I really need to change that...

 

I will be cracking open (uncorking) an ABT 12 later today to try for the first time. I am looking forward to it. I'll have to grab a christmas ale sometime soon as well.

 

I think I've tasted more "spices" in the Christmas ale than the reg Abt 12. Not sue exactly what though.

 

The Christmas Ale is basically the Abt 12 with some slight additions to the ingredient list so as to provide some flavors not in the Abt 12. I've not had them side-by-side, but did find some of what's described on the web site,

http://www.sintbernardus.be/stbernarduschristmasale.php?l=en

although I wasn't able to put some of into descriptive terms when I did my review.

 

You might look into whether or not you can order the variety case that’s available here in PA. Contains 4 each of their six major beers and they should all be reasonably fresh if my experience holds true. Might be a big up front investment, but the beers can be spread out over the course of a year and will cost you less per bottle than individual bottles or 4-6 packs.

 

As much as I love Abt12, Christmas ale is the winner for me. The deeper, richer spices in it just plain awesome and its one of my top 3 beers of any style.

 

I prefer the 12 as well. The balance of the 12 is so spot on that I don't believe it's improved by the addition of spices. Nevertheless, gotta make a bier Noel right?

 

Christmas Ale is more $$ and isn't always available.

That's why it tastes better to me at least.

 

I lied. Opened up a couple of BCBS and well, didn't get to the ABT 12. Oh well.

I am sure both the ABT 12 and xmas ale are delicious.

 

I found Christmas Ale in 4 packs at TW today. Is this the first year it's been in that format? It's the first time I've seen it. For some reason I have never had Christmas Ale, but I still didn't buy it because I am trying to curb spending before tomorrow morning with the Bourbon County stuff. I'll try it later next month hopefully. Maybe even do a side by side with ABT 12.

 

The christmas one was brewed with plums and snow straight from the north pole.

 

As I recall the Christmas is spiced, and with something a little less ordinary (maybe lavender?), which made it sort of funky on my first go-round, but I liked it enough to buy a second! Thing is, as much as I liked the Christmas, the 12 really is such a phenomenal drinker, so it'd rate it higher.

Edit: Ditto what someone said above -- I think I need to grab some again, for a side-by-side.

 

The Christmas ale is a little to spicy for my taste, it also seemed a little thinner. I get that it's a seasonal beer but I prefer the 12.

 

I picked up a four pack of the Christmas in Milwaukee for $17.99