Beer style of the week; The 12 Beers of Christmas, (but Great any time of the year)

4th Day of Christmas

For the past 3 weeks we have merrily ventured through the kingdoms of Christmas Ales and enchanted Winter Warmer wonderlands. For the next 9 days we bring you a sampling of diverse beers from around the world that are purely divine by nature. These are the splendid spirit-lifting brews to enjoy with family and friends as we celebrate this special time of year.

Some of these delightful beers are found in weeks past and in week’s future, others will be making a cameo appearance because of their special connection to the season. They come in all styles, varieties, and strengths. All are very good!

Day 1 – Sinebrychoff Porter

Day 2 – Geary’s Hampshire Special

Day 3 - Hooker Liberator

Day 4

Rochefort 10 – Brasserie de Rochefort (Abbey Notre Dame) – Rochefort, Belgium – 11.3% ABV

This luscious quad pours a murky brown/leathery color with a big multi-sized bubbly head and lots of sticky and trailing lace.

The initial smell is of a musty basement. An oaky smell emerges as does a whiff of malt, cloves, citrus, apples and alcohol.

The medium/full body has a fresh bread taste. An oaky background supports flavors of citrus, plums, apples, candy sugar, cloves, and peppery spices.

The warming alcohol, while noticeable, is well within the overall balance of aroma and flavor. This is a nice rich Trappist to enjoy by the fire with fine cheeses, dessert, or just as a pleasant nightcap.

Salut! Joyeux Noël and Merry Christmas!

Quote: “I have fed purely upon ale; I have ate my ale,

and I always sleep upon ale”. – George Farquhar (1678-1707) – The Beaux Stratagem

Brasserie Dieu du Ciel-Rigor Mortis Abt

Brasserie Dieu du Ciel-Rigor Mortis Abt - St. Jerome, Quebec, Canada - 10.5% abv
12 oz brown bottle. Indecipherable freshness date code.
Allagash glass.
It pours a muddy Coca Cola color with a thin, fast-fading beige head.
Fruity, yeast esters are quite potent. Smells of horse barn, cut hay, cloves, and citrus blend very well together. A nice warming gin-like perfume fuminess rises.
As in the aromas, there are big dominant flavors. Tart white grapefruit, strong gin, limes and a slightly astringent medicine taste slowly allow the sweet caramel maltiness to inch forward. Tastes of rum-soaked prunes and lemon zest peek through and lasts throughout. A little bit of wood, peppery spices and tobacco is noticed.
The mouthfeel is rich, slick and deeply satisfying.
Two of these powerful brews is plenty.
Rich creamy cheese and strong tasting salami goes well with this big, flavorful brew.

St. Bernardus Abt 12 60th Anniversary Special Edition

Belgian Quadrupel - 11% abv
Watou, Belgium

25.4oz dark brown bottle. Best before 03/05/11.

Pours a lovely ruby-hued mahogany with a big fluffy, slow-fading beige head and lots of sticky and patchy lacing.

The first smell out of the gate is cow barn-like (not in a bad way) with a nice dark rum background. Smells of hay, cloves, pepper, orange zest and hops all vie for attention.

The deep malt body is home to a wide range of tastes. Sweet caramel, rye toast, honey and brown bread are upfront.

The big maltiness is balanced nicely with a tart lemon zest bitterness and a faint metallic tang. Tastes of bitter oranges, spicy cloves, rum-soaked raisins and candi sugars are all quite active. A dose of white rum provides some alcohol kick and fuminess.

This is a well-made brew. I look forward to reviewing it in a year.