Topic Archives: Belgian Strong Dark Ales
Cypress Street Beer Geek Tuesday 12/21
Tonight’s Beer Geek Tuesday at Cypress Street features very special Christmas tappings. Check out these tappings:
Belgian:
Scaldis Noel – Belgian Strong Dark, 12% ABV.
Delirium Noel – Belgian Strong Dark, 10% ABV
Corsendonk Christmas – Belgian Strong Dark, 8.5% ABV
Gouden Carolus Noel – Belgian Strong Dark, 10.5% ABV
American:
SweetWater Festive – Winter Warmer, 8.6% ABV.
Redbrick Long John Ale – Belgian Strong Dark, 8.2% ABV
Anchor Christmas 2010 – Winter Warmer, 5.5% ABV
In addition to these tappings, there will be special cheese plate pairings. Starts at 7pm!
Cypress Street – 12/21, 7pm
817 West Peachtree Street,
Atlanta, GA
Mikkeller Santas Little Helper 2010
To my knowledge this beer has absolutely nothing to do with The Simpsons. Nothing is stopping you from trying to convince someone it is though. Danish brewers Mikkeller have released this popular Christmas/winter seasonal again for 2010. It was first released in 2006, and the recipe varies a little bit each release. In the past, cocoa powder and other specialty spices were used. Looks like 2010 does not have cocoa. Love Belgian Ales? Keep reading.
Commercial Description:
(FROM 2009) Santas Little Helper is Mikkellers Christmas beer. Each year Santas little Helper returns, but although Christmas is tradition and repetitions, then Santas Little Helper is not the same for two consecutive years. Mikkel believe that you can always optimize a recipe, and it is exactly what he was doing with this Belgian-inspired beers. Since 2006 the recipe for Santas Little Helper has been adjusted and improved. In this 2009 version is nothing short of sublime.”
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Hops: Northern Brewer, Hallertau, Stryian Golding
Malt: Marris Otter, Special B, Biscuit, Pale Chocolate
Dark candi syrup and Dark Cassonade (raw sugar), sweet orange peel, bitter orange peel and nutmeg
Taste Expectations: Dark malts, sweet. Bit of chocolate, orange. Spices, clove & nutmeg.
Availability: 750 ML Corked & Caged. Foil topped. Limited Christmas release.
10% ABV
The Bruery’s 3 French Hens Arrives!
It’s here. The 3rd release in The Bruery’s 12 days of Christmas. Year 1 was “Partridge in a Pear Tree.” Last year — “Two Turtle Doves.” 2010 brings “3 French Hens.” Each year the style is different. Each bottle is intended to be cellared until the 12th release in 2019.
This years style:
“The third verse of our ‘Twelve Beers of Christmas’ saga incorporates vinous and oaky notes into a bold and spicy dark ale. 10% ABV.” The formulation consists of 75% Belgian-style Dark Ale and 25% ale aged in French Oak barrels.
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Taste Expectations: Belgian yeast & the flavors that follow with it. Dark fruits, raisins, figs, dates. Sweet caramel malts mixed with a hint of oak.
Availability: 750 ML Champagne Bottles. Some draft. One time brew.
10% ABV
Looking for this? [Update 12/3] In stock, Hop City, Green’s Beer, Tower (Both locations), Mink’s Package, Decatur Wine & Spirits. Sorry Total Wine has no idea when & if they will receive.
NEW RELEASE: Red Brick Long John
The winter seasonal from Red Brick Brewing is upon us. Replacing the breweries “Winter” label will be Long John Ale this season. It’s a dark ale with a Belgian flair that cellars well, much like it’s Winter predecessors.
From Red Brick:
Red Brick Brewing’s newest beer for the winter season is a Belgian-style Dark Ale. It took several different malts from the United States and Belgium to get this beer to its hefty alcohol by volume (abv) of 8.2%. Chestnut brown in color with aromas of dark fruits and bananas rising from an alcohol laced head. A nice dried fruit and chocolate flavor makes it a wonderful winter beer. The beer will launched at the brewery on November 10th and bottles will be released in stores shortly thereafter.
Taste Expectations: Sweet Belgian candi sugar, dark fruits, subtle touch of roasty coffee.
Availability: 12oz/6 pks. Draft. Winter seasonal.
8.2% ABV
NOW TAPPING: Red Brick Long John Ale
Debuting on tap handles today at Taco Mac’s around Atlanta – Red Brick Brewing’s “Long John Ale”. Formerly known as “Winter”. Taco Mac’s will exclusively tap this beer for a week, until it arrives in bottle and expanded draft late next week.
From Red Brick:
Red Brick Brewing’s newest beer for the winter season is a Belgian-style Dark Ale. It took several different malts from the United States and Belgium to get this beer to its hefty alcohol by volume (abv) of 8.2%. Chestnut brown in color with aromas of dark fruits and bananas rising from an alcohol laced head. A nice dried fruit and chocolate flavor makes it a wonderful winter beer. The beer will launched at the brewery on November 10th and bottles will be released in stores shortly thereafter.
Availability: 12oz/6 pks. Draft. Winter seasonal.
Corsendonk Christmas
First brewed in 1998, this Christmas release by Brouwerij Corsendonk (Oud, Belgium) was hit almost immediately. Christmas Ale has received a world class rating on BeerAdvocate.com, and is highly anticipated as soon as the weather turns cold. This dark Belgian ale is one of 5 offerings by Corsendonk, and is bottle conditioned.
Commercial Description:
Its aroma of chocolate malt and spices is reminiscent of the wonderful smells of holiday baking in Mom’s kitchen. On the palate this silky smooth ale is predominantly malty, with smoky, spicy and citrusy notes, and a long, lingering finish that is lightly tart and malty. Round and well-balanced, it will be a welcome addition to holiday tables and parties.
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Taste Expectations: Big malty taste, with dark fruit notes (figs, grapes, raisins) from the malts/yeast. Spicy – w/ coriander notes. Some chocolate flavor.
Food Pairings: This ale pairs well with holiday meals. Duck/Goose/Ham/Turkey. Candied/sugar glazes pair nicely also.
Availability: Quite a few options. 11.2 oz/4 pks. 750ml corked/caged. 3 Liter “Party Bottles”. Party bottles are nicely priced – $70.
Cellar: Up to 3 yrs @ 55 Degrees. (dark, upright storage)
8.5% ABV
SEASONAL RETURN: Delirium Noel
The oldest operating brewery in Ghent, Belgium Brouwerji Huyghe has released their famous seasonal beer – Delirium Noel. Noel is part of a Delirium “trilogy” including Tremens & Nocturnum. In Belgium, this beer is sold under the label “Delirium Christmas”. Noel is essential a spiced version of the Belgian strong dark ale – Nocturnum.
Poorly translated Commercial Description:
Born in 2000, yet it is brewed only for the Christmas and New Year and complete the trilogy of “Delirium.” His approach is already a superb warm copper color to red recalling “Nocturnum” except in its taste. At first glance, it hides its subtlety by a level of flavors. It be approached with confidence, with a tinge typical Christmas, sauced with a sweet touch, then covered with a bitter tone, without extension and then a strange sensation of freshness on the tongue. Finally, it frees itself entirely from the bottom of the palace like a pepper on a salad of the season. It is assessed at the first sip, and loyalty to the second. However its high “volume of alcohol consumption required liable
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Taste Expectations: Spices, mixed with dark fruits. Raisins, Plums, touch of cherry. Belgian yeast flair, with complexity increasing as it warms.
Availability: 22oz ceramic foiled/corked/caged bottles. Nov-Jan. Winter Seasonal.
Cellar? Yes. Under the right conditions.
10% ABV
