Please welcome Paul from the Beer Club Guide for this guest post. Another beer by the same brewers was the no.33 ArabierGuest Post Written by Beer Club Guide
Some things are seasonal. However, some seasonal things are so good, you still want to enjoy it after the season is over. This is the case for De Dolle Stille Nacht. I've saved a few bottles. If you can get your hands on one I'd highly recommend not waiting until next year.
The Stille Nacht is a prestige beer from De Dolle Brouwers, an established Belgian brewery based in Eden. The Stille Nacht is considered a seasonal brew since it is brewed for Christmas. In fact, Stille Nacht means 'Silent Night' in English.
It is already February, so people may be wondering 'why put the spotlight on a beer meant to be consumed on Christmas dinner?' Good beer is good beer, regardless of the season. The Stille Nacht may be Christmas beer, but who says you can’t have some on Valentine's Day?
The De Dolle Stille Nacht is tawny; its color ranges from clear amber to dark orange. The appearance may remind one of barleywine. When poured on a glass, it reveals a big, fluffy and lasting off-white creamy head.
The aroma and taste of this Christmas brew is also worth noting. The aroma of the Stille Nacht is a combination of sweet and spicy: one can distinguish a fruity smell, like that of strawberry, just as sharp notes and traces of leather and tobacco can also be detected. As for the taste, beer lovers who want something sweet will not be disappointed with the Stille Nacht. It is said that the beer is boiled for many hours, brewed with pale malt and white candy sugar in the kettle. This is probably the reason why the beer possesses such sweetness. The flavors to be tasted in the Stille Nacht include cocoa, caramel, pit fruits, plums and raisins. However, this beer is not just sweet. Nugget hops were added for bitterness to balance the sweetness. It has lots of carbon, and the big and sharp carbonation may be too much for some. It is malty with a dry and clean finish.
The De Dolle Stille Nacht is a delicious, but strong beer. If you can find a bottle don't wait until Christmas 2012.
4 comments:
I had this one and quite enjoyed it but I find the seasonal beers a bit too strong for my taste.
Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Oh yes, splendid beer, very powerful taste, easily one of the best amber beers I've ever had.
In some ways, this review is 100% right: Stille Nacht is a great beer. I would, however, amend that final statement. If you manage to get your hands on some Stille Nacht, buy a few of them, try one, and let the others age. I had the privilege of trying two different "vintages" side by side the last time I was in Bruges. We tried the 2009 and the 2008. I have to say, this one only gets better with age.
Is this brand still available in the market.
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