Trader Joes Vintage Ale 2005

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

Interesting [what I would call fancy Belgian cork] bottle. Very Dark color, almost no light visible through the glass. Dark tan head that I had to be careful not to foam over. In that note, it seems somewhat over carbonated. Has an almost home-brew like flavor to it. Very malty, low hops. Rather rich, probably could have used some more time in the cellar.

Delicious. For the rest, I’m copying my trois pistoles comments because they are very similar: Nice light clove/apple aroma. I love dark strong ales like this. One of my personal favorites. Wonderful taste, not too sour or funky. Just a hint of lactic sourness on the aftertaste, like they mixed 5% lambic in it.

750 ml bottle (2005) poured a dark, cola like color with a thin white head. Lots of dried fruit in the nose with the classic Belgium yeasty aroma. Flavor was similar to the nose with the addition of a hint of chocolate. Very bubbly with a dry finish, 9% abv is well hidden. This was pretty good, should be much better after its aged a bit.

750 ml bottle, BB 10/13/08. Poured a lovely, transparent shade of deep ruby/garnet with a 2 finger initial beige head... receded rather quickly. Nose was of light-to-medium fruits (pears, plums, and a strong vinous presence), and the distinct Unibroue yeast... warmth brought about spices, herbs, and a bit of floral.. adding a level or 2 of depth. Flavor consisted of dark grapes and plums, peppery spices, and the aforementioned yeast... carbonation was excessive, and seemed to accentuate the yeast over the other flavor elements. Medium-bodied, but there was a spot about 3/4 of the way through where it felt like the body dropped out... just lasted for a sec, though. Finish was slightly tacky with dark fruit sugars, yeast, and a little alcohol astringency + warmth. I enjoyed it, but have always had issues with high Unibroue carbonation (just a personal preference).

Bottle. A dark brown color with a brown head. A malty, cinamon, fig, caramel, and candy sugar flavor. A soft body with a peppery spiked and dry finish. Quite nice for a trader joes special.

corked bomber courtesy of Saarlander, thanks Aaron. very dark brown with a big fluffy tan headwhich settles to just a ring of lace. aroma is of candi sugar and yeast. flavor is more sweet candi sugar, dried dark fruits and some molasses. alcohol has been disguised well, but there is just too much carbonation here for my liking.

Near black colour. Light aroma, kind of figgy, pruney, plummy. The flavour again has figgy notes and is mainly malty (dark but understated malts with the usual molasses, brown sugar type stuff, but quite mellow). Hint of alcohol late and a hint of the Unibroue yeast.

Really dark ale maybe the darkest Uni I’ve had. Barely allowing light through and showing a almost violet color. No head, just a bit of film. Asise from the classic Uni-Yeast aroma, this does give some berry like fruit aromas along with a slight vinous note. I’m getting cocoa too. Body is medium to full with a slight clinging to the palate. Flavor is berry like fruit, light hops, spearmint, cocoa and malt. Overall not the best Uni I’ve had.