Unibroue 17

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

Bottle. Head is initially large, frothy, light brown, fully lasting. Body is hazy medium to dark brown, bottle conditioned. Aroma is lightly to moderately malty (toasted bread, caramel), lightly to moderately yeasty (cobwebs), with light notes of cinnamon, bark, clove. Flavor is moderately to heavily sweet, lightly to moderately acidic, lightly to moderately bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, lightly to moderately acidic, moderately bitter. Medium to full body, velvety texture, lively carbonation, lightly to moderately alcoholic. Surprisingly good. The aroma is a bit mild, but what’s there is quite pleasant...spices very much in the cinnamon/clove/etc. vein, but not in a *spiced* way...subtle and mild, as if from the yeast rather than spice additions. I had this side-by-side with the 2008 Lost Abbey Ten Commandments, and despite this not being an absolute blockbuster, it totally demolished the Lost Abbey. Not even close. A much better yeast strain, much better carbonation level, and much better flavor balance. Not quite a world-beater, but a delightful, solid, strong Belgian-styled brown ale that was remarkably difficult to keep from quaffing, as if it might be a 5% brown ale. I doubt they’ll ever match the beauty of the Unibroue 11, but this is a highly commendable effort. It’s difficult to win me over with strong Belgian browns, but this one has done it.

750ml bottle. Interesting aroma, musty, vinous, fruity, darkly sweet, herbal and spicy, with notes of red grape, pomegranate, cinnamon apple, leather, old wood and faint citrus. Deep, dark brown-red color, hazy, with a massively foamy, lasting head and lacing to match. Flavor profile is bitter and citric to start, becoming mildly tart, winey and fruity, and finishing sweet and malty, with suggestions of cotton candy, raisin, orange, leafy herbs and peppery alcohol. Effervescent, sharp, mildly warming and active on the palate, body is medium-full. Lingering tea-like herbal touches. Wow, what is this? Not your typical Unibroue, for sure, other than the usual Belgian slant and the strength.

Bottled@Fonefan (thanks for the bottle omhper!). Amber colour, small beige head. Aroma is alcohol, raisins, toffee, soap and some mild spices. Flavour is hops, spices, some alcohol as well as mild birch sap. Probably needs a bit of aging, since it felt a bit strong, sharpedged and alcoholic.

Aroma is strong, rich, malty, with just a hint of fruit - probably apple - and a hoppy, "rubbery" undertone. Color is a warm clear mahogany, and it pours with a very thick beige head that hangs around for a bit. Flavor is rich and mouth-filling, smoky, nutty, with both sweet and bitter tones and hints of chocolate and molasses. Finish is smooth and leaves a hoppy aftertaste.

750 ml split in Westmalle glass. Hazy brown with lasting tan head. Spicy raisiny chocolate yeasty date-nut bready aroma. Spicy fruity brown sugar maltiness with lotsa dark ripe fruit wheaty tang and complex spicy tangy finish. Medium-full body and medium-low carbo makes for a nice full soft mouthfeel. Well-conceived, tasty, complex and satisfying. Well hidden alcohol. Excellent.

Had this as part of a Unibroue tasting dinner. Poured a deep brown. Malty, barleywine-esque flavor. Chocolate tones and a strong spiciness in the aroma. Can sense the high alcohol content and oakiness in the aroma and taste. An excellent ale, worth whatever you pay to get it.

(Bottle) Pours deep compact brown with glowing red lines. Big and stable off-white head. The aroma is of peppery spices, yeast and malt up front with tones of caramel, mild chocolate roast, nuts, rye, brown sugar, white pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, sweet vanilla and ginger. Also rater fruity and soft vinous with tones of dark grapes, cherries, apples, pears, plums/prunes and hints of banana. Just a whisper of wood, oak, flowers, citrus peel and earth are also notable. The flavour is caramelly/chocolate malty, complex spicy (ginger, nutmeg, white pepper and cardamom), yeasty, fruity/citric, earthy and light acidic. Quite lingering sweet with a tiny dry finish. The sweetness is syrup and sticky with notes of liquid brown sugar and over ripe dark fruits. The mouthfeel and body is quite full, well carbonated and light creamy. The nose is fantastic, maybe just a bit out of focus from all the spiciness. The flavour is solid but not perfect; the sweetness is quite boring in the end. Is this beer oak aged or just blessed with a vanilla spiced wood-like note from somewhere else?

Cloudy brown color with a thin cream head. Aroma is musty, spicy, yeasty and has a slight hint of green apple sweetness. Flavor has a real earthy aspect to it. Not overly sweet or spicy like some Belgians, this one is pretty down to earth. It is quite enjoyable, but not too memorable.