De Dolle Brouwers Stille Nacht Belgian Strong Pale Ale at 12% ABV (€5.60 at Belgian Beer Tradition Rue au Buerre Bruxelles, 330 ml, 2014 vintage)
Pours cloudy pale gold with a short, short-lived white head, minimal lacing. (3/5) Nose is boozy dark fruit, candi sugar, spices, green apple. (6/10) Taste is moderately strong sweet, mild tart. (6/10) Medium slightly oily body, moderate to low carbonation, lingering boozy finish. (3/5)
Well, subtle this isn’t – nor is it light, refreshing, or any of the other adjectives one normally associates with the beers of spring. No, this is very firmly a winter beer – one appropriate for lighting a fire in your belly as you gingerly sip it during the long cold months of torpor. And at a beefy 12%, there’s fire aplenty. I don’t say this often, but this might be too emphatic a beer – a little more even-handedness and balance would go a long way here. Still pretty good, mind you… (12/20)
My 173rd from the 2010 Edition (163rd from the 2013 edition), and 183rd combining both editions.
6/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
