Unibroue 16

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

(750ml bottle) Amber body starts lightly hazed but turns murky by the bottom of the bottle, topped by large, rocky beige head. Aroma is medium sweet, plum/fig, banana, some coriander, orange peel, dusky, light white wine, alcohol. Taste is moderately sweet, plum/fig, some cookie/caramel, alcohol, banana, light orange peel. Effervescent medium-full body. No question this is Unibroue -- fits in with all the other big strong beers of theirs. As my rating attests, however, this isn’t a bad thing, though I think they could stand to work a bit on adding some innovation to these anniversary brews (after they make the 11 a full-time brew).

Best by December 2009. Pours a hazy dark golden brown, with a frothy two finger head that fades slowly to a thick cap. The lacing completely covers the interior of the glass. Smell; as with all Unibroue beers there’s a definite yeast presence in the aroma. Some fruits are present with apricots, lemons and apples as well as a peppery spiciness. There’s also a sweet maltinees in the background. Taste; spicy upfront with a little pepper and some alcohol, though not overpowering, and they seemed to mix well. The fruits come out in the middle with the apricots, lemons and apples and the finish is sweet malts with another little hit of alcohol. Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied, with a little bit of a biting carbonation. The drinkability is good, but would be better without that bite form the carbonation.

Some faint spices. Has some light caramel sugary notes and a bit of alcohol in the end. Another good brew from Unibroue, with a great spicy finish.

Bottle. Pours deep and cloudy amber with a nice, off-white head that leaves a spectacular lattice work of lacing around the glass. Hints of cheddar spiked with coriander and spicy bread dough permeate the air around the glass. Unusual cranberry and orange mixture, with a slight grapefruit tinge that lends itself slowly to a subtle lime finish. Full, heavy, and thick mouthfeel that leaves a lingering impression on the tongue. GREAT beer; probably the best Unibroue yet.

Nice frothy off-white head. Flavor is quite sweet with mixed fruit - with some candi sugar underneath. Highly drinkable and quite enjoyable.

Bottle from Whole Foods. Pours a dark amber color with a sizable off-white head. Aroma is quite fruit. Some graininess and yeast. Flavor is slightly sweet with a nice amount of spice and some sort of fruitiness. Very full flavored. Alcohol is pretty well blended. Some bitterness in the finish.

750 mL bottle purchased at Holiday Wine Cellar. This Belgian ale pours as a firm golden color with slight reddish tint. Creates a thick layer of foamy head that will stick around. The aroma is a undeniable Unibroue yeast and spicing that they always achieve. The flavor is a strong delivery of yeast and spice with a light spearmint gum flavor in the background. There is also a small hint of dry fruit such as raisins or mango slices if you can imagine that. Very potent stuff.

Bottle. Somewhat hazy copper color with a cream colored head. Yeasty, spicy aroma. Very spicy, malt, brown sugar flavor with some earth. Lingering brown sugar and spice. Medium body. High carbonation.