‘Corsendonk Christmas Ale’ Craft Beer Review

Brewed by Brouwerij Corsendonk

$9.99/bomber

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

8.50% ABV

Serve at 45-50°

Availability: Winter

Enjoyed from a tulip glass

A: Pours a deep-brown, plum color with two fingers of creamy off-white head. The head diminishes quickly, leaving spotty lacing.

S: Dark, ripe fruits; prune, raisin, cherries, caramel, citrus rind, warming alcohol, Belgian yeast with a bready malt beneath.

T: Layers of dark, ripe fruits and roasted, bready malts. Dates, raisin, figs, candied dark fruits, orange rind, burned sugar; complex and surprising.

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation, smooth and very creamy. Very little alcohol burn.

O: A surprising offering in the watered-down world of seasonal brews. Complexity isn’t the standard for most Christmas ales, but Corsendonk have raised the bar. It’s hard to summarize the shifting flavors in this ale, so I suggest you pick up some of your own.