Let us end Christmas on a high. Let us do so because my calculations are poor and patience even worse. Let us rejoice in the coming of the Lord and Saviour and therefore we get crap loads of presents because some preacher was born 2013 years ago. Hark, for a 14-year-old woman has got knocked up and the only defence there is to claim it's because God has impregnated her. And I am a Christian and a Christmas lover before the pitchforks are sharpened.
Today the Advent Calendar comes to an end. I've really enjoyed it this year, where as last year's had become a chore by the end. Family casualties and endless work merriment made some of the posts published late, but I endeavoured and still am glad to keep mine solely Christmas ale exclusive. Last year I vowed never to do such a calendar again. This year I find myself already looking forward to December 1st 2014.

Stille Nacht is a Belgian Strong Blonde Ale that pours light and golden with short head. The beer is perfume sweet on the nose, with a lot of lavender and parma violets mixed together with that hint of irn-bru and tizer I found so much in the Gouden Carolus last year. It's crazy and those sort of flavours carry themselves into the taste. At first, as I stated on untapped, I couldn't decide whether this was enjoyable or not. But as it warms and settles there's further complexity with burnt sugar, cinnamon, physalis, dragon fruit and the merest hint of cardamom. It has quite an oily texture and would perhaps be served better as a dark beer for the style, with a dark fruit malty backbone providing a little balance to that perfumed sweetness. But still a great beer.

Both were purchased at De Hopduvel, November 2013
I would like to thank all those that read these reviews throughout Advent. There will be a round-up review of what I've experienced here after Christmas. Have a terrific Christmas guys and a wonderful New Year.
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