Le Trou du Diable "Grivoise de Noël" Strong Belgian Ale

7.5% alcohol

Dark amber with a small beige head and very Christmas-y aromas of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, yeast, and caramel, as well as a very light touch of bubble gum. The taste is crisp and has a nice spiciness to it with flavours of cinnamon and ginger.

Merry Christmas to me.

Acquired as a gift from a friend, but available in stores in Quebec.

Flying Monkeys "Chocolate Manifesto" Imperial Stout

Wow. If you like dark chocolate, this is the beer for you.  Opaque dark brown with a small medium brown head. The aromas are amazing. Dark, rich chocolate liqueur and chocolate milk, with just a hint of coffee beans. Just a touch sweet in the mouth, rich and smooth, with flavours mirroring the aromas plus just a touch of charcoal right at the end, giving it a surprisingly clean finish.

It would be hard to do a milk stout better than this. Buy a couple if you come across them as this should age quite nicely.


10% alcohol.
$12.95 at LCBO

Goose Island Beer Company "Sofie" Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale

6.5% alcohol, 25 IBU

Hazy pale yellow in colour with a thin white head. The aromas include "Thrills gum", white flowers, lemon, and a touch of honey. There's also a little wild yeast-like sourness. The taste is similar, with the lemon coming to the front a little more.

Middle Earth Sauvignon Blanc

A great example of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with the usual grassiness, canned pea and gooseberry aromas, as well as lime, and more pineapple and honey than many other Kiwi Sauvignon Blancs. The mouth feel is also a little rounder than most but the high acidity is not sacrificed. A great summer sipper, although at 14% ABV, you'll have to pace yourself.

LCBO Vintages