hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Beoir na Nollag

Ireland·Belgian Dark Strong Ale
Tap to rate

Beoir na Nollag, Irish for Christmas beer, is the brewery's winter release and appears as a dated vintage; the 2025 edition has 7.2% and was aged in whiskey casks. It is a dark, strong beer in which malt dominates from the aroma onwards. Dark fruits accompany the malt and linger into the finish. The cask shows as a light oak note.

ABV
7.2%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
SRM
deep amber20
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
maltydark fruitoak
malty
dark fruit
oak
fruity
spicy
bready
Aroma
Malt leads decisively on the nose, presenting warm biscuit, caramel, and subtle cocoa notes.
also:yeasty
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Beoir na Nollag

◎ Appearance

Deep mahogany to dark brown, with excellent clarity and a dense, tan head that clings firmly to the glass walls. The color suggests significant malt depth typical of the Belgian Dark Strong Ale style, while the retention indicates proper carbonation and protein structure.

deep mahoganydense headexcellent clarity

◌ Aroma

Malt leads decisively on the nose, presenting warm biscuit, caramel, and subtle cocoa notes. Dark stone fruits—plum and raisin—emerge in the mid-layer, supported by a light oak impression from the whiskey cask aging that adds refinement without dominance.

malt-forwarddark stone fruitsubtle oak

◐ Taste

The palate is rich and full-bodied, with malt character establishing the foundation immediately. Dark fruit complexity unfolds across the mid-palate, while the whiskey cask integration provides a gentle vanilla and wood backbone. Bitterness remains restrained at 25 IBU, allowing the malt sweetness and fruit to carry through without harsh edges.

rich maltdried fruit complexitysoft bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is medium to long, with lingering dark fruit and malt sweetness complemented by a dry oak note. The alcohol warmth (7.2% ABV) integrates smoothly, leaving a gentle woody dryness on the palate.

lingering fruitdry oakwarming finish
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
85
Finish
79
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Beoir na Nollag

More from Mescan Brewery

Kriek Silín
Mescan Gold Óir
Mescan Gold Óir
Belgian Blonde Ale
5.7% · 22 IBU
Find matches →
Mescan Special Reserve
Seven Virtues Carnal Knowledge
Seven Virtues Lager
Seven Virtues Lager
Pale Lager
4.8% · 22 IBU
Find matches →
Spéartha Dorcha
Spéartha Dorcha
Oyster Stout
4.7% · 40 IBU
Find matches →
Westport Blond
Westport Blond
Belgian Blonde Ale
4.8% · 22 IBU
Find matches →
Westport Extra
Westport Extra
Belgian Strong Golden Ale
8.5% · 25 IBU
Find matches →

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 malty, dark fruit, oak character as Beoir na Nollag will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →