De Dolle Stille Nacht Special Reserva 2005

Formerly brewed at De Dolle Brouwers
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Diksmuide, Belgium

Bottle. Head is initially large, frothy, white, fully lasting. Body is hazy medium amber, bottle conditioned. Aroma is moderately malty (cookie, caramel, toasted grain), lightly to moderately yeasty (cobwebs), with notes of wine (both white and red...black cherry, oak, minerals, lime, etc.), dried pineapple, pepper, Juicy Fruit gum, apple skins, overripe banana, etc.. Flavor is moderately to heavily sweet, lightly to moderately acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly to moderately sweet, lightly to moderately acidic, moderately bitter. Medium to full body, velvety texture, lively carbonation, moderately alcoholic. Wow, just wow. From the very first whiff, I knew I was in for a treat. Not much to say other than...terrific. I can’t believe this isn’t on the top 50. It’s extraordinary.

Bottle. Initial appearance of this brew was very nice with an average frothy white head that mostly diminished. Somewhat clear body with light particles in flow and a lovely golden to orange color. The first sniff hits with the heavy impression of a good port wine, with again heavy notes of raisin and a mix of alcohol and other fruity notes. First sip hits you with notes of toffee, light nutty, orange peel, hint of prunes and date, somewhat peachy feel with a lingering vanilla and oak like experience as well. What surprised me a bit was the sour milky like notes that was also present. This brew was exceptionally full bodied with an alcoholic texture and a soft carbonation. Flavor was from sniff till you sink a continuously well mixed bewildering encounter of moderated sweet fruity, light milky acidic and bitterness somewhere in there as well. The only disappointing thing about this brew was the finish which was at first a lovely fruity and lingering touch that turns into a slight astringent and alcoholic feel. With some more years of cellaring this should become an even greater experience then it already is. Thank heaven for letting me taste this!!

Bottle shared with Jeppe BierKönig (gracias) and Morten Grovlam. Pours a nice orange colour with a short lasting bubbly white head leaving some lacing. Sweet caramel, malty, fruity and acidic aroma. Pleasant mouthfeel. the flavour is sour and malty with wood, caramel, hops, some spices and alcohol. Good for dessert.

33 cL bottle. Pours orange with quickly disappearing crispy white head. Aroma is slight acidic, citric and sweet. By far not as pleasant as the flavour. Flavour is very sweet, raisins, dried fruit, malt and decent bitter hops.

Hazy gold body with ample carbonation supporting a big fluffy head. Banana smoothie aroma with a lemony floral element - very soft and well put-together. Strong yeasty flavor with sugar-sweet banana and a lightly bitter floral finish. Winey finish with some light peppery notes. Too sweet for my taste, some light alcohol in the finish.

NorCal tasting June ’07 - Funny, but the way I see it I liked the regular verions of this beer better. Not by much though. Aroma was green apples, bourbon, caramel with a touch of wood. Appearance was a hazy dark amber color with barely any head. Taste was sweet (although less sweeter than the regular) with a light sourness, some vanilla, caramel, green apples and some toffee. It finishes really hot, and it was something that I didn’t detect at first, but after multiple sips I really found it. Still, I enjoyed the regular Stille Nacht a bit better.

Body is a foggy light amber, thin white head. Aroma is oak, butterscotch, sugar, brown sugar, toffee. Taste is light pale malts, alcohol, oak, toffee. Much better the the regular Stille Nacht

Bottle shared by Odeed. Thanks a ton Good Buddy!!! Nose is tart and fruity, with a tiny hint of soy; Hazy gold with a medium offwhite head; Flavor of tart apple, spices, yeastiness, and oakiness with little tartness in the finish. Great brew!