Boom Island Yule

Boom Island Yule. "Small Batch Special Ale Brewed with Spices, No. 1." Verbiage can be read on the jpeg that I will include. Save my typing fingers. 12 % ABV. On the label sleeve, the same stuff on the other labels, and then, "the skinny on this SPECIALTY BEER:"…and it's way too tiny for me to read. You know what? I think it's on the jpeg, too, so look there for those words. If it's any consolation, they seem to have toned down the self-congratulating hyperbole.

The incessant "yule" puns, though? You will ( you will) thank me for ignoring those.

Let's pour this guy into a glass and contemplate, shall we?

Dark brown color, reddish highlights, slim, cocoa-toned head, small, but lasting.

Aroma: Warm and malty, certain spice showing up, but nothing too distinct, a nice and spicy blend. Light cinnamon and clove, nothing too loud. Nutmeg? Nonetheless, evident, and very pleasant. Sweet, malty, spicy, and yum.

Taste: Spices jump on board right off, then alcohol, then malt. Then spice! That cinnamon and clove factor really reigns high on this one, with dark fruit, some chocolate, plenty of dark malt, and more providing ballast. Small hops in this affair, but a plentitude of, as they say, "holiday spice."

Medium-ish body, with a long, lingering fruity, spicy finish. Fairly nice in that regard.

Unfortunately, I'm not getting enough Belgian yeast in this, which would have really made me wonder if they switched this bottle with a Gouden Carolus Noel or a Corsendonk Christmas. One thing I'm not missing, but might be regretting is the high alcohol. Twelve percent puts it in the range of such great beers as Scaldis Noel, but is it necessary? One wonders. Before you can think on it too hard, BOOM!. BooM!, BooM!, as the corners of the braincase are threatened.

The bottom line is, this gets dangerously close to a real, true, authentic, hand to heart, eyes of God, etcetera, real Belgian Christmas Ale…and yet not quite. Much like the rest of their releases. Pretty close. A faint echo away. Tasty enough..but I'm keeping the damned cigar.

I'll ash it in a northwesterly direction, however.