Another day another craftsbeer

The ale of the 22'nd, and the third to last beer of 2024, is the Gouden Carolus Christmas from Het Anker.
A dark Belgian strong ale of 10% VOL and a recommended servicing temperature of 12C (53F), this ale was taken out the fridge about half an hour before being opened.

The ale pours dark ruby, leaving a beige head. The head might not look like much compared to the two previous craftsbeer, but it lasts nonetheless.

Smelling the ale, it smells heavily of liqourice, with dark malty hints as well as coffee and chocolate.

Its taste is the same way it smells. Very sweet with plenty flavour liqourice, although not salty like some liqourice ales can be. You get hints of chocolate at the tip of your tongue and sweetened notes of caramel.
The ale isn't at all bitter. Just a very warm mouthfeel, filling your mouth with sweet pleasantries. After swallowing, your mouth is left with subtle hints of orange and vanilla. The initial mouthfeel and tastes even lingers minutes after swallowing.
If Christmas could be bottled, this would be it.
Highly recommended. No surprise why this ale is considered one of the best Christmas ales around by beer enthusiasts here.

If you find it around, give it a try, price be dammed.
Just make sure to drink it from a wide glass so you can smell it while you drink it, and more importantly, serve it above a temperature of 50F

Merry Christmash

From something lighter, to something even lighter. And from a top-fermentation ale to bottom-fermentation lager.
Today, we will crack open a bock from Randers Bryghus, called Jule Lys.

The beer pours a light amber color, leaving no head. It smells slightly of caramel.

When drinking it, it thankfully isn't flat, still having plenty fizziness to it, which its head wouldn't hint at.
It doesn't taste of nearly as much as the previous three beers, but that's not anything unusual when comparing tops and bottoms. Tops usually have a better mouthfeel and plenty more flavour, while bottoms are more refreshing and often better during warm days.
And the latter, is what this bock provides. A refreshing taste, with an after-taste of caramel and cinnamon, and a slight bitterness left behind in the back of your throat.

In summary, a beer better saved for a warm summer day.
And during summer, you needn't worry about the VOL either, since this one is only a meager 6%.

Happy drinking, and Merry Christmas