Christmas Beer

St Veronus · Post by **St Veronus** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 3:47 pm

Santa has dropped off the Christmas Beer at St Veronus a little early. These are available while supplies last.

Gouden Carolus Noel (9.1%)
Massive festive ale with notes of clove, cinnamon, burnt sugar, ginger & raisins. Christmas cake in a glass. 99% on Ratebeer.com
330 ml $9.99

St Martin Cuvee de Noel (6.9%)
Dark winter brew with notes of fruit cake, banana, pepper, clove & toffee.
330 ml $9.75

Abbaye des Rocs Speciale Noel (9%)
Dark mahogany with notes of candied nuts, orange peel, brown sugar & nutmeg.
330 ml $9.85

Tapsucker · Post by **Tapsucker** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:28 pm

Funny how we assume a Christmas beer has to taste like a fruitcake. Actually, I kind of find it tacky. Yes there is a tradition of taking all your valuable larder items in the middle of winter and rolling them into one celebratory desert, but really, can't a celebratory beer just taste like a good beer? Depending on geography, wouldn't a decent dopplebock or stout be more appropriate choice? Especially if pairing with food or desert?

The same problem has happened with pumpkin ales. What was once fermentable with a unique characteristic has been smothered in adjuncts to make something that tastes like pumpkin pie. Not only is this not what a pumpkin beer historically was, but brewers have flocked to this trend and are all essentially making the same flavour mess. Perhaps it's just too easy for them to cash in on a fad?

What's next a Robbie Burns beer that tastes like mutton?

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we have all this variety and experimentation, but I suspect some of us will be disappointed with well meaning beer gifts from people who think they found the perfect gift for a beer lover at the LCBO, just because it was 'festive'.

Peter Collins · Post by **Peter Collins** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:57 pm

Tapsucker wrote: What's next a Robbie Burns beer that tastes like mutton?

No, a Robbie Burns beer that tastes like haggis.

Tapsucker · Post by **Tapsucker** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:19 am

Peter Collins wrote:
Tapsucker wrote: What's next a Robbie Burns beer that tastes like mutton?
No, a Robbie Burns beer that tastes like haggis.

Well, that's what I really meant. Let the debate on RateBeer begin over the subtle gamey notes.

Cagiva650 · Post by **Cagiva650** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:46 pm

Tapsucker wrote:Funny how we assume a Christmas beer has to taste like a fruitcake. Actually, I kind of find it tacky. Yes there is a tradition of taking all your valuable larder items in the middle of winter and rolling them into one celebratory desert, but really, can't a celebratory beer just taste like a good beer? Depending on geography, wouldn't a decent dopplebock or stout be more appropriate choice?

Liam Mckenna at the Yellowbelly here in St John's Newfoundland released his Christmas seasonal "Mummers Brew" this week. It was a spiced beer the last two years, but for 2012 it is a chocolate porter. Really good. One of those chocolate beers that you can't get your nose out of the glass.

mintjellie · Post by **mintjellie** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:23 pm

Isn't doppelbock spring or lenten bier?

Het Anker started brewing Gouden Carolus Noel again in 2002, after 38 years since it's last brewing. We can assume then, that this beer was probably brewed for some time before it's first discontinuance. Seems like a pretty traditional Christmas product if you ask me.

Tapsucker wrote:Funny how we assume a Christmas beer has to taste like a fruitcake. Actually, I kind of find it tacky. Yes there is a tradition of taking all your valuable larder items in the middle of winter and rolling them into one celebratory desert, but really, can't a celebratory beer just taste like a good beer? Depending on geography, wouldn't a decent dopplebock or stout be more appropriate choice? Especially if pairing with food or desert?

The same problem has happened with pumpkin ales. What was once fermentable with a unique characteristic has been smothered in adjuncts to make something that tastes like pumpkin pie. Not only is this not what a pumpkin beer historically was, but brewers have flocked to this trend and are all essentially making the same flavour mess. Perhaps it's just too easy for them to cash in on a fad?

What's next a Robbie Burns beer that tastes like mutton?

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we have all this variety and experimentation, but I suspect some of us will be disappointed with well meaning beer gifts from people who think they found the perfect gift for a beer lover at the LCBO, just because it was 'festive'.

JasonTremblay · Post by **JasonTremblay** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 9:08 pm

My requirement for a Christmas beer?

That it's strong to make the holidays with my extended family seem like a good idea

Jason

Tapsucker · Post by **Tapsucker** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 9:38 pm

JasonTremblay wrote:My requirement for a Christmas beer?

That it's strong to make the holidays with my extended family seem like a good idea

Jason

Bingo! My wife calls it having a few to get our tolerance on, and she's talking about her family!

ErkLR · Post by **ErkLR** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 11:22 pm

Tapsucker wrote:Funny how we assume a Christmas beer has to taste like a fruitcake. Actually, I kind of find it tacky.

I'm pretty sure Stella was originally brewed for Christmas.

I'll take fruitcake beer.

dale cannon · Post by **dale cannon** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 12:06 am

Tapsucker wrote:Funny how we assume a Christmas beer has to taste like a fruitcake. Actually, I kind of find it tacky. Yes there is a tradition of taking all your valuable larder items in the middle of winter and rolling them into one celebratory desert, but really, can't a celebratory beer just taste like a good beer? Depending on geography, wouldn't a decent dopplebock or stout be more appropriate choice? Especially if pairing with food or desert?

The same problem has happened with pumpkin ales. What was once fermentable with a unique characteristic has been smothered in adjuncts to make something that tastes like pumpkin pie. Not only is this not what a pumpkin beer historically was, but brewers have flocked to this trend and are all essentially making the same flavour mess. Perhaps it's just too easy for them to cash in on a fad?

What's next a Robbie Burns beer that tastes like mutton?

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we have all this variety and experimentation, but I suspect some of us will be disappointed with well meaning beer gifts from people who think they found the perfect gift for a beer lover at the LCBO, just because it was 'festive'.

This was entertaining.

Thank you.

JeffPorter · Post by **JeffPorter** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:59 am

I find the booze that's most associated with Christmas is brandy or cognac, surprised we don't have more beers with those flavours.