Ellezelloise Quintine de Noël

Brewed by Ellezelloise
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Ellezelles, Belgium

Tangy citrus fruitiness with cinnamon and nuts in the sugary aroma. Opaque brown body with plenty of chunky floaties topped by a low, off white head that recedes to ring. Very fruity and somewhat nutty flavour has plenty of malt sweetness offset by muted spices. Alcohol notable in the finish. Medium body is very dry with low carbonation. Although it’s long before the Best Before date, this one seems sluggish and old. Bottle (BB 10/06) sampled with MartinT, Rastacouere and Siroy.

Initially nice off-white head. Plenty of powdered sediments floating around. Murky copper in color. Apparently sweet nose, kinda timid at first, but rewarding with brown sugar and nectarines, peaches.. just various fruity esters. Flatish smelling kind of, which accentuates a syrupy feel. Alcohol is apparent, but rather enveloping all the way. Soft oxidation development contribute corky, moldy wet earth notes that don’t feel too beer-like. Caramel, pears, sweet dough and more moist join in mouth. Advanced attenuation doesn’t leave much residual sugars to work with, but this remains well bodied and the tired carbonation give it a round, almost creamy texture, if a little worn out. Has been expired for over 3 years and still a more than acceptable beer. This could be pretty good fresh.

[ Bottled ; chilled ; BB 2002 ]
A fully diminishing small white ring that tops up a murky dark orange body. No lacing. Many thin particles. No bubbles. Aroma presents malt being medium hay while hops are moderate grass ... Yeast character is heavy sweat. Also, there are . Initial flavor is medium bitter while development is moderate yeasty. Finish is short and chalky. Light to medium body... watery texture... Soft carbonation...
Rated using its current average rating points since the bottle we had was too old to evaluate adequately.

Any first impressions?
-A ring of head and a frail veil cover the turbidity.
-Tropical fruit esters and doughy yeast make an unassuming aroma.
-Harsh yeastiness and grassy hoppiness raise eyebrows, linked by milk.
-The relax carbonation is supportive, but not as lively as most Belgian ales.

What if you dig deeper?
-Some tartness is perceived in the aroma.
-It gets a little too powdery, yeasty after a while.
-The fading of flavors is a definite sign of aging.
-If it hadn’t been bottled with that much yeast, it would probably shine brighter.

Bottle; best before Oct. ’02.

A murky orange-brown beer with a small light brown head. The aroma is of alcohol, prunes, and raisins, but also slitghtly dusty. The flavor is sweet and very rich in fruit - especially peaches, but also notes of over ripe fruit, as well as lots of alcohol. Nice one. Thanks to Papsoe for sharing.

(Bottle 33 cl) Reddish amber with a tiny, creamy head. A huge sediment makes this muddy if you stir the sediment. Incredibly complex nose of rotten fruit - prunes rather than plums. Extremely complex, perfumy flavours. Overipe....something....again but excellent. 050605

The colour is amber and cloudy. Quite alcoholic brew. Some bitterness in the beginning and finish. Not very interesting.

Gushes to hazy brown, leaving just a 1mm rim of bubbles, & giving an impresssion of cold tea. Nose of cognac, woody, marzipan. Sweet taste, very liqueurish, orange zeste. Medium-bodied, very low carbonation and warm alcoholglow. Very nice - but unfortunately, the beer gushes its power out. Could be bettered in this chapter.