Introduced in 1991 to satisfy fans of Dubuisson Brewery who requested an End-of-Year or Christmas Ale, Scaldis Noel is somewhat atypical of the Christmas style as no seasonal herbs or spices are ever added; instead the recipe relies on just a handful of ingredients - roasted caramel malts, hops, candy sugar and water - and a fair amount of master brew-craft to attain its rich, densely complex and flavorful profile and solid 12.0% ABV.
Top fermented and filtered, the brew pours dark amber red with a small off-white head. Aromas include sweet dark fruits, cherry, fig, peach, toffee and marzipan with notes clove and smooth alcohol.
Taste follows the nose and also includes honey sweetness and dark fruits, cracked pepper spiciness, some hop bitterness and even notes of anise. The mouthfeel is medium-to-full bodied; the finish is lingering, bittersweet, warm, and dry.
Food Pairings
Pair with Christmas goose, Bûche de Noël, Triple crème cheeses, Tarte Tatin with butterscotch cream; also pairs perfectly with truffles or pralines.
A strong Christmas beer like the Scaldis Noël cries out for chocolate. If you want to try this pairing, your best choice is dark and slightly bitter chocolate, one with its own pronounced taste, and so able to stand up to the richness of this beer. Also perfect in combination with desserts that make generous use of melted chocolate. Serve at 50-56 degrees F.
Top fermented and filtered, the brew pours dark amber red with a small off-white head. Aromas include sweet dark fruits, cherry, fig, peach, toffee and marzipan with notes clove and smooth alcohol.
Taste follows the nose and also includes honey sweetness and dark fruits, cracked pepper spiciness, some hop bitterness and even notes of anise. The mouthfeel is medium-to-full bodied; the finish is lingering, bittersweet, warm, and dry.
Food Pairings
Pair with Christmas goose, Bûche de Noël, Triple crème cheeses, Tarte Tatin with butterscotch cream; also pairs perfectly with truffles or pralines.
A strong Christmas beer like the Scaldis Noël cries out for chocolate. If you want to try this pairing, your best choice is dark and slightly bitter chocolate, one with its own pronounced taste, and so able to stand up to the richness of this beer. Also perfect in combination with desserts that make generous use of melted chocolate. Serve at 50-56 degrees F.
The Dubuisson Brewery was founded in 1769 by Joseph Leroy in Pipaix, a hamlet in the Wallonian region of Belgium, as a farm brewery after an imperial decree ending tax exemptions closed aristocratic breweries in the region including the estate where he was employed at the time.
More than a century and a half later, his heirs (through the female line), brothers Alfred and Amedee Dubuisson, decided to cease all commercial farming and concentrate fully on the brewery business.
Today the Dubuisson Brewery, still family owned and operated and one of the oldest and most respected independent breweries in Belgium, exports superior quality ales to at least twenty countries including the USA, Australia, France, Chile, and Vietnam.
Write a Review
Jan 7, 2024 | By Dennis O.
Jan 5, 2024 | By Gina
Dec 27, 2023 | By Jim
Reviews
3 reviews
Wunderbar
Jan 7, 2024 | By Dennis O.This was my favorite of the 4 different ones I selected in my bundle, mellow taste was great with Christmas supper and sitting around with family later.
Dennis O.
Best Christmas Ale
Jan 5, 2024 | By GinaWe originally had the Scaldis Noel when we visited Belgium several years ago. It's the best tasting ale we ever had. We were thrilled we could find it in the U.S. Give it a try, you will love it!
Gina
As Christmas Ales go...
Dec 27, 2023 | By JimAs Christmas ales go and I have tried many....I was pleasantly surprised at how good this is. I will definitely purchase again. Thank you Belgian Style Ales!
Jim
