The Twelve Beers of Christmas - Corsendonk Christmas Ale

  • Posted by Donavan
  • December 28, 2005

Corsendonk Christmas AleToday’s Christmas Beer is Corsendonk Christmas Ale. You might have seen those brown bottles of Corsendonk Brown or Blonde in the beer cooler of your local beer shop. Corsendonk is a readily available brand of Belgian Ale (almost as ubiquitous as Chimay). If you’ve never reached for one of these beers, then this Christmas is the time. This rich, dark ale is sure to warm you up.

Eyes: The head is caramel colored and frothy topping a dark brown brew.

Nose: It’s best to breath this one in as you are pouring or shortly after so that you don’t miss the wonderfully malty aroma. There are some nice dark grains in this beer and no hop aroma to cover them up.

Taste: This beer might please someone who isn’t a beer drinker. I know several people (mostly wine drinkers) who steer clear of beer because of its bitterness, but these same people will happily sip a glass of Corsendonk Christmas Ale because of its full, sweet, malty flavor. I detect a hint of brown sugar and molasses (a result of the grains, neither of those two ingredients are actually in the beer).

Overall: A sweet, almost syrupy, brew, but not cloying or overbearing. This one will warm you up.

My Rating: 14/20 or 7/10

Pro: Accessible and sweet, popular with people who don’t usually “like” beer. Widely available.

Con: Aroma is understated and the residual sugars (the source of the sweetness) dominate the taste.



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December 28th, 2005
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Comment Number:
1
Written by:
Brenda Pederson
Posted on:
December 28, 2005 at 6:19 am

This sounds like one I should try. Although, it’s not so much the taste of beer that keeps me from enjoying them more - it’s that they are so filling! I’m guessing this one falls into that category, too?

~ B

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
Donavan Hall
Posted on:
December 28, 2005 at 8:34 am

I agree about the filling part. Especially these big, thick, creamy beers. I read in one of my beer books that “beer is considered an appetite stimulant” and had to scratch my head. Beer does the opposite for me. It’s a meal in a glass. If it’s very late at night and I want to sip on something warming, I’ll pour small glass of Opal Nera to give my kidneys a rest.

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
Brenda Pederson
Posted on:
December 30, 2005 at 6:16 am

An appetite stimulant? I guess maybe in the way that any alcohol is, but even that seems questionable.

Comment Number:
4
Written by:
Donavan Hall
Posted on:
December 30, 2005 at 6:45 am

If I have a glass of wine before a meal, I think I can eat more, but drinking doesn’t make me hungry.