John Martin Gordon Xmas Ale

Gordon Xmas Ale

 

John Martin in Genval, Walloon Brabant, Belgium 🇧🇪

  Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy Regular
Score
6.86
ABV: 8.8% IBU: 38 Ticks: 161
The original Christmas ale, Gordon Xmas started the tradition of Christmas brews. To accompany Christmas dinners and New Year evenings, it dons its party clothes, while its marrowy foam melts in the mouth as the white flakes on a red background tickle the nose. Never forget to put it under the Christmas tree!
 

Sign up to add a tick or review

Join Us


     Show


6.9
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7

I was sceptical about another Gordon's beer but this one is quite pleasant. Also thought that would be another gingerbread or whatever Christmas slop. Dark copper colour. Generous beige head. Medium sweet. Caramel,malts, dried fruits. Average body. Not like the ones I tried in Edinburgh but quite alright

Tried from Bottle from Delhaize on 13 Apr 2025 at 15:11


7

Tried on 01 Mar 2025 at 12:07


6.4
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Bottle at home. Aroma of malt, caramel, toffee, raisins, nuts, some candy sugar, hint of sweet dried fruits, hint of chocolate. Flavour is sweet with a light to moderate bittersweet finish. Only slightly boozy. Body is medium. Nice ’dessert beer’.

Tried from Bottle on 13 Feb 2025 at 05:02


8
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Аромат с намеком на шоколад, немного персика и сухофруктов, легкая карамель, сладкие ноты солода отдающие изюма. Цвет рубиновый, пенка легкая, не пышная. Вкус мне зашел. Умеренная сладость со специями, затем до глотка приходит привкус из стиля ламбика фаро, чернослива и много. При глотке хмелевая составляющая, но легкая. Снова немного карамельные нотки, уже более терпкие. В целом хороший экземпляр.

Tried on 01 Feb 2025 at 11:31


6.1
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 4 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle 0,75ltr: Clear brown/ruby coloured brew with an sticky sweet taste and hints of caramel, toffee and some kind of butter.

Tried from Bottle on 29 Dec 2024 at 11:38


6.8
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Amber, with a medium foamy off white head. Aroma of nuts, malt and fruit. Sweet with a sweet malt, fruits and some syrup sense finish.

Tried on 16 Dec 2024 at 23:59


5.8
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Sample Bourgogne des Flandres 2024-11-11 Brugge
Gordon Xmas (2024) 100th Anniversary
AR: wallpaper glue, over sweet, malt extract
AP: deep red, frothy cream beige foam
F: wallpaper glue, over sweet, malt extract

Tried from Draft at Bourgogne des Flandres on 11 Nov 2024 at 19:15


7.4
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Draft as part of a tasting flight at Bourgogne des Flandres in Bruges, Belgium. The pour is a clear burgundy amber with a light tan head. The aroma is big malt, and soft spice. The taste is nut malt with caramel toffee, heavy malt character then moves to spice clove and nutmeg in back. The palate is heavy to medium bodied with low carbonation and a pleasant warming toffee and spice finish. Nice.

Tried from Draft on 07 Nov 2024 at 19:08


7.8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

May 2011: 330 ml bottle, from Ølbutikken, Copenhagen. ABV is 8.8%. Mahogany coloured beer, large off-white head. Malty aroma, notes of caramel, but also some fruity and spicy notes. Gordon / John Martin are known for some pretty sweet beers, so I braced myself to tolerate an enormous sweetness. Well, their Xmas is sweet, but not more than I’m able to handle. Very rich and malty flavour, notes of caramel, dark dried fruits and mild spices. The sweetness is to some degree balanced by moderate hops in the finish. Not a beer to go with Christmas dinner, but excellent to savour on its own, or with Christmas cookies, chocolate and fruit. Will buy again, if I can find it for Christmas.

Tried from Bottle from Ølbutikken on 20 Jul 2024 at 23:22


4.5
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 3 | Flavor - 3 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 4

Auburn with a frothy head. Caramel and plum aroma. Something faintly vinegary. Something is off, but I’m not sure if it’s an unclean tap or the beer. Moderate sweet. More off weirdness. Medium-bodied, mild carbonation. Boozy. No thanks.

Tried from Draft on 10 Feb 2024 at 17:43