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Bush de Noël

Belgium·Belgian Dark Strong Ale
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Bush de Noël was launched in 1991 for drinkers looking for a warming beer for the holidays and is brewed in limited quantities during the winter season only. This filtered, top-fermented strong dark ale uses a malt blend with caramel malt, the traditional Bush hops adapted to this recipe, sugar and the Dubuisson house yeast, reaching 12%. It pours dark amber with dusky glints. Caramel, nuts and dried fruit fill the nose; the palate is round and gently sweet with a mild bitterness and a pleasant warmth lingering on the finish.

ABV
12.0%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter22 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
caramelnuttymalty
caramel
nutty
malty
dark fruit
fruity
spicy
Aroma
The nose opens with prominent caramel and toffee notes, complemented by a nuttiness that suggests roasted malt character.
also:bready
not found:hoppy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Bush de Noël

◎ Appearance

Bush de Noël presents a dark amber hue with dusky glints that catch the light, suggesting depth and complexity. The beer pours with a full, dense head that displays good retention and leaves distinct lacing on the glass. Clarity is good throughout, with the filtered nature of the brew evident in its clean presentation.

dark amberdense headwell-defined lacingfiltered clarity

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with prominent caramel and toffee notes, complemented by a nuttiness that suggests roasted malt character. Dried fruit aromas—raisin and fig—emerge beneath, along with subtle spice and warming alcohol notes typical of the style. The Bush house yeast contributes a gentle fruity undertone without dominance.

caramel sweetnessdried fruitroasted nutswarming alcohol

◐ Taste

The palate enters soft and round, with pronounced caramel and brown sugar sweetness balanced by a mild bitterness that prevents cloying. Mid-palate reveals walnut and dried fruit complexity, while the 12% ABV provides viscosity and gentle heat. The finish carries lingering warmth with a touch of dry spice.

round mouthfeelcaramel-forwardmild bitternesswarming alcohol finish

◑ Finish

The finish is long and gently warming, with residual sweetness fading into subtle spice and oak-like dryness. Alcohol heat persists pleasantly without harshness, making this a contemplative sipper suited to cold evenings.

long warmthlingering spice
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
82
Appearance
80
Finish
80
Serve at 9–12°C

Serve at 9–12°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Goblet

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Bush de Noël

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About Belgian Dark Strong Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Dark Strong Ale?

Belgian Dark Strong Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Belgian Dark Strong Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, sweet, nutty character as Bush de Noël will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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