Trader Joes Vintage Ale 2005

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

From a distinctive 750ml. Unibroue brown bottle with a blurb about the ale in back of the bottle, along with a "Best Before" date, 10/13/08, and the statement " This ale will age exceptionally over time." Made a good appearance, poured an opaque Coke Cola dark brown with a semi-sticky pale tan head. At first, had a sweet bubblegum/cola type of aroma, followed by taffy, toffee-ness. Good carbonation, maybe too much, and a slick, smooth, sweet medium bodied mouth feel, good drinkability. At first, had a very sweet bubblegum taste, then a slight cola taste and a light Noble hops bitterness, the malts are very sweet, and a very sweet, dry candied finish, a slight alcohol burn on the tongue, and a lingering bubblegum taste in the palate. An interesting Strong Dark Ale from Trader Joe’s/Unibroue, I have a couple of bottles to age, paid $4.49 a bottle, will try again in 2008.

750 ml bottle from Santa. Pours a dark color with a light white head. Quite fizzy. Nose is dark dried fruits, lots of plums and sugar, some dates and such. Taste is very fizzy, much like a cola, has more of the same dark fruits and light hints of chocolate. Finishes with a nice dry ness and a fizzy palate. Might need some aging to settle down a bit.

Dark, opaque purple brown with a fluffy, brown, quickly diminishing fizzy head. Complex, malty and yeasty nose chuck-full of fruit and fruity esters. Plum, mango, cherry, cocoa, toasted grains, ripe apples, creamy caramel, brandy, honey, tropical fruit esters, floral perfume, fresh dough and a bit of anise seed. The body is relatively full, but the carbonation is completely lost, leaving a still beer. The flavors are sweet and malty with some wafts of perfume, alcohol and yeasty esters from time to time. The malt is mostly fruity, but with a touch of toasted grain character as well. The finish is smooth and easy, considering the high ABV. The lack of carbonation really took a lot from this beer. All told, this isn’t bad, but I expected more from Unibroue.

Courtesy of dhlesq. Black. Large, dense, bust, light tan head. Dark fruits, sugary sweetness, spicy UB yeast, a touch of sourness, and strong malt backbone. Full body, well carbonated. Somewhere between Terrible and Edition 2005, but not as good as either. Still very drinkable.

Very dark brown, bordering on black. Head is light brown but totally diminishing after only a few seconds. Yeasty aroma, with notes of ripened plums, dates, raisins, brown sugar, and a slight hint of alcohol. Flavor of licorice, sweet malt, raisins, and the slightest trace of sourdough bread. The flavor doesn’t "pop" as much as I’d like; seems rather subdued. Medium bodied with very fizzy carbonation, too much so for my tastes. My 1000th rating.

Pours dark brown, with a tan head. Aromas are sugar, malt fruit, and spice. Flavors are fruit, spice, malt, and sugar. Body is too light, but this isn’t bad considering the price.

Very dark brown/red with a huge head resemblling a strawberry milkshake. Aroma of yeast, fruit and spices. The yeast smells different than the usual Unibroue. Flavor of dark fruits and yeast. Warming finish.

Thanks Drewbeerme for bringing this over. Dark brown with off white head. Aroma is a lot of dark fruits, alc, and spice. Nice dark fruits, sweet caramel malt, alc is very well hidden. Medium to full body. Very nice.