Unibroue 16

Formerly brewed at Unibroue (Sapporo)
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Chambly, Canada

Hazy light copper beer, with a huge, well-sustained, frothy head - the nose is heavy on the spice, with orange peel, coriander, lots of belgian fruitiness - high, but medium-soft carbonation in the mouth - surprisingly dry at first - warming alcohol arrives early and sticks around for the long haul, but the strong spicy character compliments the alcohol well - honey, apples, some nutty qualities, a bit of wheaty flavor - strong yeasty character detracts from my enjoyment a little bit - a little tangy on the back end - a tasty beer, but not outstanding.

Sampled at RAYBOY01’s Cajun Fais-Do-Do. Amber in color with a small head. Brown sugar, chocolate, fruit, yeast, and spice in the nose. Brown sugar and lightly sweet flavors, carmel,with lots of dried fruit and yeast. Ok but overrated like the rest of their beers.

Bottle. Very dark honey, cloudy, thick loose foamy head. Nice contrast on the body with the contrast of lighter BSA body and an impressive head. Nose-yeasty sharp, Belgian golden smell doughy coriander, soft. Very Belgian nose. Taste-medium alcohol, apple, coriander, hot on the back end, big yeast esters, very fruity, nice medium acidity, black pepper, grains of paradise, light anise, black cardamom, light green tea. The standout flavors are the medium acidity and the cornucopia of spices with a perfect level of heat. Very enjoyable beer, hits on all 6 cylinders. Very full soft mouth feel with a sharp dose of spices. Very aggressive with the spices, and I like that.

Bottle: Clouded ruby amber with a smallish cap. Sweetness dominates aroma...figs demarara, some floral hops, fusel alcohol...pretty standard UniBroue nose. Thick demerara-molasses-fig tastes. floral hops, rich, musty yeast discernment and long warming alcoholic finish steeped in sweet dried fruit tastes...a tad rough and alcoholic...needs work or aging. Pretty standard...Unibroue really have to worry about these special brews rating no better than other standard U-ales....lack of creativity, sameness and I’m sad to say over priced for what you get.

Nice head; cloudy and deep amber. Smelled wonderful. Fresh, with light fruits and just-baked bread. Fitting carbonation; thickish body; cobweby and a bit cloying. Very rich malts. Sweet and toffee-like up front; toastier and grainier toward the finish. Warming alcohol surfaces in the aftertaste. Pleasant, wholesome, earthy beer, with a good bit of alcohol bite to boot.

75 cl corked bottle
Hazy pale brown/orange colour. Big, thick head. Aroma has notes of bananas, oranges, cinnamon and yeast. Flavour is quite sweet with notes of dark berries, anise and a little bit of liquorice. The finish has some alcohol flavour but it doesn’t get disturbing. This beer is probably meant to be cellared but I think it’s damn tasty right now.

75 cL bottle, thanks to joergen. Pours hazy orange with a white head leaving nice curtains. Dried roasted malt and slight dried fruit and a slight malty aroma. Flavour is mellow, slight sweet but most of all spiced with a spice I cannot make out. Not too good to be honest.

75cl corked bottle. Poured a hazy brown and gold colour. Very sweet flavour with a nice hit of alcohol in the finish.