Dieu du Ciel - Solstice d'hiver (Winter solstice) 2010

This noble winter beer is brown in color with flaming red highlights. Its taste is delicately sweet and liquor-like with a hint of burnt caramel coming from the malt and a prolonged boiling time. It is a very bitter beer with aromas of hops and alcohol, and flavors reminiscent of red fruit brought by the English-type yeast we use to ferment it. The aftertaste is accentuated by the wonderful flavor of hops. Solstice d’Hiver is brewed only once a year, and is then aged for 4 to 5 months before being sold. This aging process is necessary to achieve an ideal equilibrium between the sharp bitterness and the other flavors in the beer.

Solstice d'hiver is brewed only once a year, at the end of the summer. It is then aged for a few months in order to attain a perfect balance in taste. Then, it is sold starting mid-December of each year, until stocks last.

The Solstice d'hiver was born in our Montreal brewpub in December 1998.

The ABV is 10.2 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Barleywine
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Becker, Tumbler or Stein
Delivery 11.5oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Pours a very thick dark brown color with very little to no head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Dark chocolate (cocoa), malts and tartness from the cherries.
Taste -  Wow, very well balanced, sweet, more cherries than chocolate (the opposite of the aroma), hint of vanilla.
Mouth Feel - Low carbonation and full body. Creamy and smooth.
Drinkable - Very nice brew.  I found two bottles; one for this tasting and one to age.  A cool affect with the nose of mostly chocolate and a hint of fruit; and flavor of mostly fruit with a hint of chocolate.  Very well made. 

This beer pairs well with sharp cheese, chocolate or desserts.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-
BeerAdvocate Rating =83
Ratebeer Rating =98