Additional Notes 1/24/22 (pictured):

This is such an extraordinarily great beer. It really has nothing to do with Christmas in terms of taste, and were it year round it would be a constant for me.

There are some very good beers in the USA under the style moniker of American IPA, once example would be Bells Two Hearted. This beer is simultaneously reminiscent of it, and absolutely NOTHING like it. It’s what Two Hearted would be if it were brewed without silly, aggressive, American bravado. The sweet subtlety here is just second to none. By that I mean that I don’t ever recall drinking a more subtle beer that has the depth of sweet, hop flavor that Père Nöel does.

The sweetness of the beer is in constant flux with the beautifully balanced, deep hop note, but never in competition with it. Insanely drinkable and beautifully crafted. Magnificent.

Original notes 01/16/2007:

$15, 750 mL paper wrapped bottle, The Brick Store, Decatur, GA, USA.

Splendid presentation in the pale green, paper wrapped 750 mL corked and capped green bottle.

Pour is pretty much as anticipated with a good yellow hue, some very good looking, rocky head and a minor chill haze apparent. The aroma, taste and mouthfeel are all rolled into one. A very mildly hoppy experience with a lovely silky feel but with an understated dry finish. The combination of bitterness and Belgian works much better than in, say the Houblon Chouffe, and this is just more subtle and a better put together beer. A little mild grapefruit in there too, and incredibly light on its feet. The spices leave you with no doubt that you are still drinking a quintessential Belgian and the beer comes together very nicely.

This is a beer that I could drink a lot of without feeling the effect. It’s simply an unusual beast in as much as this manages to marry so diverse characteristics very well.