Corsendonk Agnus (Abbey Pale Ale)

4.1/5

AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20

750 ml bottle into globe glass, best by 12/06/2013. Pours hazy golden straw color with a fairly dense 2 finger white head with good retention that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Some spotty lacing clinging to the glass as well. Aromas of big pepper, clove, pils malt, bread, light candi sugar, lemon, citrus, and spicy yeast. Nice and fairly standard aromas with good strength and balance. Taste of big lemon, pepper, citrus, clove, biscuit, light candi sugar, and spicy yeast. Lingering notes of lemon, pepper, clove, citrus, an spicy yeast on the finish for a bit. Medium carbonation and body; with a slightly creamy and smooth mouthfeel. Alcohol is well hidden with only a slight warming after the finish. Very easy to drink for the level of alcohol. Overall this is an excellent and well put together Tripel style that is very easy to drink. I really have no complaints.

An excellent Tripel style offering. Nothing really groundbreaking, but still tasty.

Corsendonk Christmas Ale

4.5/5

AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20

250 ml bottle into signature globe glass, best by 09/13/2014. Pours crystal clear dark reddish brown color with a nice 3 finger dense khaki head with insane retention that reduces to a thick cap eventually. Nice soapy lacing clings to the glass as well. Aromas of big dark fruit, molasses, caramel, clove, cinnamon, light pepper, and spicy yeast. Very nice and well balanced aromas. Taste of big molasses, caramel, raisin, candi sugar, bread, clove, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, and spicy yeast. Lingering notes of fruit, caramel, molasses, and spices on the finish for a bit. Medium-high carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a very creamy and super smooth mouthfeel. Alcohol is insanely well hiden with hardly any warming noticed at all. Drinks incredibly easily. Incredible flavor balance and complexity. Overall this is an incredible Belgian dark ale for the holiday season. So much incredible flavor balance, with super smooth drinkability. I am glad I picked up the 6 pack gift set.

I retried this one this year, after having it last year. Totally blew me away this time. Incredible balance and complexity, with easy drinkability.

Corsendonk Pater (Abbey Brown Ale)

4/5

AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20

750 ml bottle into tulip, best by 09/06/11. Pours clear reddish brown color with a huge 3 finger fairly foamy light tan head with great retention and some decent glass lacing. Aromas of cloves, spices, roasted malt, caramel, and dark fruits. Nice aromas here. Taste of caramel, dark fruits, apple, and spices. A bit of chocolate and bread noticed as well. Nice complexity and balance in flavor. No bitterness, but there are big notes of spices, caramel, and some chocolate lingering on the finish. Medium bodied and highly carbonated, with a prickly feel. Very smooth drinking as well. No alcohol in the taste and a slight warming on the finish noticed. Overall, this is a delicious Dubbel, and I would definitely have it again.

All around solid Belgian from Corsendonk. Still need to try the Abbey Pale Ale.