12 Beers of Christmas (plus 3)

On the second day of Christmas the Beer Fairy brought to me…. Scaldis Noël,a “brilliant red amber” brew from Belgium. Once again I called on my bud Mark A. to help me drink this. Now on second thought that might have been a mistake in that this beer is the smallest and most expensive brew per oz I’ve tried. Thank goodness I could buy a single because this cheap bastard would never fork out more than $20 for a six.

Brilliant red amber is how it was described on the label. It is very red, almost like a sweet red wine. Well Mark didn’t exactly set the mood for me when he said “it smells like a shirt someone been wearing for a few days.” I think I’m starting to a pattern when getting Mark to try something. I still remember him spewing some brews during a backyard tasting.

Did I mention that the bottle is the most Christmas festive beer for my 12 Beers of Christmas. It has blue foil top with silver stars dotting it. It is wrapped with a red ribbon with “HO HO HO.” This bottle attracted me right away… but the $4.49 price tag caused an automatic reflex that shot it back on the shelf. But I needed 12 brews and thought what the heck. It’s Christmas…. dammit.

Mrs. Dan liked it. I thought it was an interesting little Christmas brew. It’s fruity sorta like Lindeman’s Lambic Kriek but not nearly as sweet and tastes more like beer. It is more effervescent than most of the Christmas brews. Starts with a quick sharp taste then mellows out with a slight chocolate taste. Mark added it was not one his top picks but he goes for really dark beers. I think he was disappointed because its from Belgium and he really likes Belgian Abbey Ales. I guess at 12% alcohol you don’t need to drink a lot. The importer’s website quotes The Wine Spectator as saying “…perfect after dinner. Try it with something small and sweet, say a truffle or praline.”

This beer looks like Christmas. I don’t think you’ll be propping up your feet and watching a bowl game with this brew in your hand. Now their regular Scaldis Ale looks pretty good. I might try that. I’m glad I tried the Noël and might even save the bottle…. but my wallet isn’t coming out again… until next Christmas.

From: Pipaix, Belgium
Brewery: Braisserie Dubuisson Freres
Cost:$ 4.49 per bottle
Size: 8.48 oz
Found at: I found it at both Vineyard Wine Market and Wine World

12 Beers of Christmas (plus 3)

Day 2: Scaldis Noël