Coaster Critique: St. Bernardus Christmas Ale

On the Ninth day of Beermas……

Name: St. Bernardus Christmas Ale

Brewed by: Brouwerij St. Bernardus

ABV: 10%

Purchased: Burby and Bates, Orono Maine

Deep brown color with visible carbonation, the pour raised a creamy off white head that lasted the whole glass.

The Belgian yeast is the first thing I notice when I smell this beer, followed by a dark fruit aroma, raisins and dates. There is a subtle sweetness in the smell as well.

The dark fruit aromas carry into the flavor, tastes like dark cherries and raisins. There is some Belgian yeast spice that plays well with a candi sugar sweetness. The 10% ABV adds a nice boozy flavor without being hot. This beer is full bodied with a creamy mouthfeel that finishes dry.

Overall an excellent choice for a cold winter evening, the larger bottle and high ABV make it a perfect choice for sharing. I would recommend this beer to anyone who likes a rich, full bodied beer with a nice alcohol kick to it.

Cheers!

Chaddah

Feel free to follow along!

Day 1: Samual Adams White Christmas, Boston Beer Co.

Day 2: Slick Nick, Sebago Brewing Co.

Day 3: Goose Island Christmas Ale, Goose Island Beer Co.

Day 4: Winter Session, Peak Organic

Day 5: Woodchuck Winter, Woodchuck Cidery

Day 6: Snow Day, New Belgium Brewing

Day 7: Weyerbacher Winter Ale, Weyerbacher brewing

Day 8: N’ice Chouffe, Brasserie D’achouffe

Day 9: St.Bernardus Christmas Ale, Brouwerij St. Bernardus

Day 10: Lump of Coal, Ridgeway Brewery

Day 11: Samuel Adams Merry Mischief, Boston Beer Co.

Day 12: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Anchor Brewing Co.

Chad Lothian

About Chad Lothian

Chad Lothian lives in Old Town, Maine. He is a craft beer enthusiast and homebrewer. Chad has travelled to brewpubs, breweries and brewfests all over New England.