The 10 Beers of Christmas (or, Why the Chuff Didn't I Buy 12?) - Day 10

Day 12 - Bush Noel


Here we are on day 10, rounding off with a 12% beer, callously reminding me of the number 12 which I so failed to reach.


Bush is a beer that has long been in my consciousness. Way back at the beginning of my drinking days in Belgo in Bristol, this was the one on the menu that we all were acutely aware of. 12%! we couldn't believe it. In my naive little world it was the strongest beer there was and the only of it's kind. Of course it isn't.


10 years down the line (yikes!) and it's one I'm fairly familiar with. The Noel version is adorned with stars and sits innocently in your fridge, waiting to entertain you. The funny thing about it is that it isn't an overwhelming beer. It's fairly ordinary, in fact.


The aroma is a mildly yeasty, caramel flavour with spicy overtones. There is a gentle but rich alcohol presence; the Santa's sack enveloping the presents that are the other flavours (see what I did there?). It's got a very warming character and will definitely help to keep you cosy on a cold, winter night.


It's pretty fizzy with a light brown, uncomplicated look to it. It's impressively clear for such a strong ale. Halfway down the glass I had an epiphany (as you do when drinking 12% beer): it's the St Bernardus Christmas beer in a suit, nearly concealing all of it's huge character, but not quite.


Flavour-wise, it's not moving any mountains; the gentle spices give it a lovely roundedness and the alcohol wraps it up very well. There is a really sweet aftertaste that's very comforting and the rich warmth is at levels you'd usually expect from a Speyside single malt whisky. The bitterness is there but only just; offering itself as a necessity if nothing else.


Bush Noel is very tasty and exceedingly easy to drink. If you want to get pissed this Christmas, drink this and ye shall be merry indeed.


For those who want to take it a step further, (because a 12% beer is clearly not enough) Dubuisson offer a 'Bush des Nuits' which is this beer oak aged for 6 months and presented in a very smart 750ml bottle. Pricey though.


Bush Noel - 8
Christmas rating - 10


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