Corsendonk Christmas Ale Gift Set 6Pk

Corsendonk Christmas Ale Gift Set 6Pk is a six-pack collection of bottle-conditioned Belgian strong dark ale brewed at 8.5% ABV. Earning a 96 on RateBeer and a 92 on BeerAdvocate, this seasonal release has become one of Belgium's most respected holiday ales, built on a foundation of dark malt complexity and restrained spice.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.5%  |  Origin: Belgium  |  Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale  |  Brewery: Brasserie Du Bocq (for Corsendonk)

Production & Heritage

The Corsendonk brand traces its name to the Corsendonk Priory, a 15th-century Augustinian monastery in the Flemish region of Belgium. Today, the Christmas Ale is contract-brewed by Brasserie Du Bocq, a family-owned Belgian brewery founded in 1858 in the province of Namur. The grain bill centers on Pale, Munich, and Caramunich malts, hopped with English Kent Goldings and seasoned with a subtle addition of coriander. Each bottle undergoes secondary fermentation — a traditional bottle-conditioning process that naturally carbonates the beer and deepens its flavor over time. This approach gives the Christmas Ale a living character that distinguishes it from force-carbonated seasonal beers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with dark caramel and cocoa, followed by layers of dried fruit and warming baking spice. A subtle breadiness from the Munich malt underpins the entire bouquet.

Taste: The entry is silky and malt-forward, with date and plum arriving first before giving way to dark chocolate and smoky undertones at mid-palate. Yeast-driven spice — think clove and a trace of black pepper — builds gradually, balanced by a gentle caramel sweetness and faint citrus notes from the Kent Goldings hops.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, with lingering dark bread and cocoa. A dry, peppery edge prevents the malt sweetness from overstaying its welcome.

How to Drink Corsendonk Christmas Ale

Serve in a chalice or tulip glass at 50–55°F (10–13°C) to allow the full aromatic range to open up. Pouring too cold will suppress the dark fruit and spice character that defines this beer. For cocktail-curious drinkers: try it in a Beer Nog, where the dark malt and spice complement eggnog's richness; use it as the base in a Black Velvet variation, pairing it with sparkling wine for a seasonal twist; or blend it into a Belgian Hot Chocolate — warming the ale gently with cocoa and a cinnamon stick to create a fireside sipper.

Best For

• Holiday gifting for craft beer enthusiasts who appreciate Belgian brewing traditions
• Hosting a winter dinner party with a curated beer pairing
• Building a vertical cellar collection — bottle conditioning allows graceful aging
• Introducing someone to Belgian strong dark ales during the festive season

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Corsendonk Christmas Ale taste like? It delivers a rich, malt-driven profile of dark chocolate, plum, and date, layered with warming spice notes of clove and black pepper. A smooth, silky body and long finish make it a contemplative rather than sessionable beer.

How does Corsendonk Christmas Ale compare to Chimay Blue? Both are Belgian strong dark ales with malt sweetness, dried fruit, and caramel character, but Corsendonk Christmas Ale leans more heavily into baking spice and cocoa thanks to its coriander addition and Caramunich malt. Chimay Blue, brewed by Trappist monks at Scourmont Abbey, tends to show more floral hop presence and a slightly drier finish.

Is Corsendonk Christmas Ale good for sipping neat? Absolutely — at 8.5% ABV and with its layered complexity, this ale is built for slow, contemplative drinking from a proper chalice or tulip glass at cellar temperature.

Where is Corsendonk Christmas Ale made? It is brewed by Brasserie Du Bocq, a family-owned brewery established in 1858 in Purnode, in the province of Namur, Belgium. The Corsendonk name references a historic Augustinian priory in Flanders.

What foods pair well with Corsendonk Christmas Ale? Roasted lamb or beef stew benefits from the ale's malt depth and spice. Aged Gouda or Gruyère mirrors its caramel sweetness. Dark chocolate desserts amplify the cocoa notes. Spiced gingerbread creates a natural echo of the beer's clove and coriander character. Charcuterie boards with dried figs and walnuts complement the dried-fruit profile.

What sizes does Corsendonk Christmas Ale come in? This gift set includes six individually bottled ales, typically in the standard Belgian 330ml (11.2 oz) format.

Is Corsendonk Christmas Ale worth the price? It positions in the premium seasonal craft beer tier, and the bottle-conditioned production, high critical ratings (96 on RateBeer, 92 on BeerAdvocate), and gift-set presentation offer strong value relative to other imported Belgian holiday ales.

Why Corsendonk Christmas Ale?

What separates this from the crowded field of winter seasonals is genuine Belgian brewing pedigree combined with bottle conditioning — a process that gives each pour a living complexity most holiday beers simply cannot match. The grain bill of Pale, Munich, and Caramunich malts delivers depth without cloying heaviness, while the coriander addition weaves through the dark fruit and chocolate rather than dominating them. With a 96 on RateBeer and a Best of Flight award in the United States, Corsendonk Christmas Ale has earned recognition well beyond its Belgian roots. As a six-pack gift set, it provides enough bottles to share at a holiday table and still cellar one or two to see how the flavors evolve with age.