Dead Snowman
Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Stille Nacht 2008
De Dolle Brouwer
Roeselarestraat 12B
8160 Esen, Belgium
Est. 1980
Brewery founded 1835
www.dedollebrouwers.be
Brain Damage Quotient = 12.0% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.6
Postmortem Brew Review
Reddish brown; the color of mahogany.
Fruity, floral with a slight spice presence in the aroma.
Turbid in the bottle and glass.
Suspended unfiltered particles, left over from brewing process.
Caramel/tan double forming head with specks from aforementioned particles.
Complex, medium to heavy body.
Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Where to begin? I want a moment to wipe away a tear...
This beer is magnificent. I cannot find the words to describe it, but will give it a try...(sniff, ah Reaper, compose yourself, now.)
A little history first. This beer is brewed for Christmas by De Dolle. Suffice to say, I encourage you to read what they have to say about their own creation on their website.
This beer has been hanging out in the chiller for several weeks now and was treated with the respect of a first time science experiment. Popping the top of the 2008 vintage cap produced what can be described only as a mini-spontaneous fermentation. A wispy puff of thick beer 'smoke' brought tingles of anticipation. The pour caused a cascading effect that saw an upper creamy head appear followed underneath by active rolling carbonation.
The suspended particles were an interesting curiosity that, (dare I say?), frightened even me. I thought of filtering it on the pour, but thought again and instead was rewarded with specks of detritus hanging in the everlasting foamy head. In other words, how shall I say? I know........what makes a doughnut even better? DOH, sprinkles!!!
It is to date the highest ABV sampled, ringing in at 12%. As you know that can haunt the flavor by overpowering it with a distinct alcohol aftertaste, but not here. Not even a hint of it.
The rich, sweet & savory body rolls over your taste buds like a malty, hoppy, fruity river of goodness! A nice bounce of hops at the end of the sip smooths our the candy-like sweetness. It's not to be gulped or even drunk by the 6-pack at a time, but sampled by the sip. I would like to think that Silent Night was brewed more to expand your mind than to expand your waistline, so pace yourself with these, won't you?
One or two bottles will probably induce an out of the body experience. And at 12% ABV, you'll want a designated driver, else I will see you sooner rather than later, muhahahaa muhaahaaahaa.
Silent Night....Holy Cow !
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