Mikkeller Santa’s Little Helper 2010

Brewer: Mikkeller
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
ABV: 10.9% wooo!
Country: Denmark

It is very ironic that I chose to sip this beer out of a wine glass. When I opened it, it exploded and started foaming like a bottle of champagne. Did I shake it on accident? What the hell happened?

It's color is much like the belgian strong ales that I have sampled in the past. It also has strong "holiday" scents in the aroma. Where it is a departure with the other holiday beers I have sampled, is the carbonation. This beer was OVER-carbonated. It was so carbonated, that it seriously was hard to nail down the tastes in the beer. My wife agreed that it was hard to pinpoint taste notes because of the carbonation.

It actually had a decent aftertaste for being 10.9% beer, but it was somewhat of a letdown since you couldn't taste much in the middle of the sip.

I give this beer a C for some issues with carbonation that led to poor taste.

-Bo

Gouden Carolus Noël

It seems as though I am turning into the Stout/Christmas Ale guy of this blog. That's all well and good for me :) The Gouden Carolus Noël is one of the Ale's I picked up not too long ago at the local Whole Foods in Vienna, VA.

This is a classic Belgian Strong Ale that comes in at 10.5% ABV. It pours a magnificent amber color and the aroma is fairly strong with seasonal spices and the smell of a strong ale (alcohol). I highly suggest drinking this at a slightly warmer temperature to enjoy all of the flavors. It has a great taste, but the aftertaste leaves something to be desired. During the aftertaste, it becomes very clear that you're drinking something akin to wine.

I didn't enjoy this as much as the Delirium Noël, but I would taste it again with some friends. I recommend drinking this in small glasses, and sipping on it fairly slowly.

I give this a solid B. Happy Holidays!

-Bo