Brouwerij De Ranke Père Noël Belgian Strong Pale Ale at 7% ABV ($9.99 from South Trail Co-Op, 750ml, best before 08/2018)
Pours clear to cloudy pale amber with two fingers of rocky white head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, patchy lacing. (4/5) Nose is fruity Belgian yeast, caramel malt, slight spice. (8/10) Taste is mild sweet, moderate bitter. (9/10) Medium body, moderate sustained carbonation, slightly sticky and off-dry bitter finish. (4/5)
Nice departure from the more normal dark and heavily-spiced Christmas beers. Lots of Belgian character with a pleasant festive dessert feel. Lingering bitter finish and an almost-but-not-quite funky horseblankety tang. I like this a lot. (18/20)
8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
