putting the más in xmas

My Beermas project starts tomorrow, but since this is my regular beer day I had to get a Christmas beer that really is a Christmas beer.  There are a number of them in the stores, mostly Belgian from what I can see.  Dubuisson's Bush de Noel had the most subdued label, which I wonder if it might be reverse psychology.  It does say it's "the strongest Christmas beer" on the back.  The quiet, snowy label lulls you into a sense of security and then the beer itself knocks you out?  Won't know if you don't try!

So unintimidating

It smells a little sweet and tangy, but no more than expected from a Belgian beer.  It's a little more subtle than many, in fact.  It's a nice, dark toasty color, promising flavor.  The flavor is quite strong, and not easy to break down on the first sip.  It's sweet, as expected, but there's also a lurking alcoholic strength and a base of heavier spices, cinnamon or nutmeg perhaps.  It's not syrupy like many sweet beers, even though it has definite weight on the palate.  Is it a little fruity?  Another taste reveals something like apple as a finishing note.  It takes a while for a tang to develop, but eventually it does come out, still with a layered sweetness and alcohol kick.  There is pleasantly little aftertaste, the beer going down cleanly without any lingering bits.  It is quite a party beer, with strength and ease of consumption that recommend it, as well as the fruity, spicy notes that seem perfect for the current holidays.

The water comes from "beneath" the brewery!  The mix of ten thousand beers?

Supplier: Más que Cervezas
Price: €2.49