Mikkeller - Santa's Little Helper (2010)

Santa's Little Helper is Mikkellers Christmas beer.  Each year Santa's Little Helper returns, but although Christmas is tradition and repetitions, then Santa's Little Helper is not the same for two consecutive years. Mikkel believes that you can always optimize a recipe, and it is exactly what he was doing with this Belgian-inspired beers. Since 2006 the recipe for Santa's Little Helper has been adjusted and improved. In this 2010 version is nothing short of sublime.

Santa’s Little Helper is a dark, strong Belgian ale, lightly spiced with sweet orange peel, coriander seeds, cinnamon and cocoa. Enjoy now or keep it in the cellar for many years to come.

Ingredients : Water, malt (pale, special-B and chocolate), flaked wheat, dark candy syrup, dark cassonade, hops (northern brewer, hallertauer, styrian goldings and simcoe), spices (bitter and sweet orange peels and nutmeg) and yeast.

Brewed at De Proefbrouwerij in Lochristi, Belgium.

The ABV is 10.9 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Belgium Strong Dark Ale
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Goblet or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery - 750ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a dark brown color with a tan head which hung around for half an hour. Great lacing.
Aroma -  Lots of spices, malts, sweet, dark fruits and hint of chocolate.
Taste -  Chocolate, malts, some bitter spices and just a touch of nutmeg, some dark fruits.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation, full body. Creamy.
Drinkable - A very good Belgium Xmas brew, like a spiced Belgium Doubel. I have never had a fresh bottle so can not compare with the two years of aging.  Though it taste very good for a two year old brew and the carbonation is perfect.

This beer pairs well with cheese, smoked or grilled meats, BBQ or Chinese cuisine.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-.
BeerAdvocate Rating =90
Ratebeer Rating =98