A beer that is called Noël in Belgium, but named Winter Ale in the USA. However, about 20 years there was also an apparently now retired, completely different Val-Dieu Winter Ale available in the US that can lead to confusion. This beer is described variously as a Belgian Strong Pale and a Tripel, the older version was a BDSA, obviously with a much different appearance and different ABV.

Updated notes 12/15/24 (pictured)

Pour seems slightly lighter than my notes below suggest, but I suppose there is a large degree of subjectivity almost 2 years apart. As noted below there isn’t an easy way to categorize this beer and it’s also certainly not a typical, heavily spiced, dark Christmas beer either. Lacks significant Tripel notes for me to place it firmly in that category too.

Probably best to simply enjoy it for what it is which I consider to be a slightly quirky, atypical Belgian Pale.

Original notes 02/08/23

Amber pour with a tremulous head. Ice-cream style. Lacing is great.

Nose is a malty, slightly sweet combination. The thick head gives this an unusually creamy mouthfeel. It almost feels a little nitro in that respect.

There’s a initial sweetness about the beer that ends in a tremendously dry fashion. Really quite noticeably so. The tastes are a balanced hop and sweet profile, it feels like a more balanced Belgian Pale. It really doesn’t have the alcohol or the character of a BSPA, so it falls between a number of stools.

Quite malty, and the beer drinks somewhat like an English ESB but without the color, a slightly higher ABV, and some sweetness that I wouldn’t expect – does that make any sense? Maybe not!