John Martin Gordon Xmas Ale

Gordon Xmas Ale

 

John Martin in Genval, Walloon Brabant, Belgium 🇧🇪

  Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy Regular
Score
6.88
ABV: 8.8% IBU: 38 Ticks: 170
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!
 

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7.4/10 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

7.8/10 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

4.5/10 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

7.9/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 7.5 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8
Servida en copa Gordon, color granate oscuro, espuma beige claro cremosa abundante y perfectamente retenida. Aroma no muy potente, pero si atractivo a caramelo, toffe, frutos negros, ciruela madura, maltas oscuras, pasas... En boca, destaca de entrada el dulzor maltoso y acaramelado, que contrasta y equilibra con un final levísimamente amargo, a destacar unas interesantes notas de frutos rojos y cerezas que, aparte de dar diversión y alegría al paladar, aportan el puntito de acidez que redondea maravillosamente el trago. Definitivamente es una pequeña delicia esta cerveza.
Tried from Bottle on 26 Jan 2024 at 23:00

7/10
Tried from Bottle on 23 Dec 2023 at 20:27

7.6/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
clear mahogany colour, one inch of creamy beige-ish ecru head, which lasts for quite a few minutes; aroma of dark berries, butterscotch, some orange peel and hints of vanilla; taste is the same with hints of spicy alcohol; quite good one
Tried on 25 Dec 2022 at 22:24

6.5/10
Tried from Bottle on 25 Dec 2022 at 21:38

8/10
Winter beer tasting #3
Lots of dark plum
Tried from Bottle on 23 Dec 2022 at 13:23

Tried on 31 Oct 2022 at 18:14

7.6/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 6 Flavor 9 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
On tap at Craft Beer Oasis, Crewe. Pours a dark ruby red with an ample cream head. Aroma is restrained, but dark fruits and caramel can be determined. Lots happening in the mouth though. Plenty of dark fruits, cake, molasses, roast malts, and spices. Plus traces of plums and cherries. Sweet on the tongue, but sharp in the throat. An excellent spiced winter beer.
Tried from Draft on 30 Dec 2021 at 22:31