Unibroue Don de Dieu

Brewed by Unibroue (Sapporo)
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Chambly, Canada

"triple blanche", ovverosia una ’tripel’ nel più classico stile belga, però di frumento: probabilmente Unibroue potrebbe fare infinite variazioni sul genere della tripel, che sembra il prediletto (la gustosa "Fin du Monde", la discreta "Eau Bénite"); ma l’idea di fare un mélange fra wit e tripel è perlomeno curiosa, e infine - visto il risultato - abbastanza discutibile. La birra si presenta molto torbida, con un colore arancio intenso e una buona schiuma anche se piuttosto evanescente; l’aroma è fruttato, dolce/asprigno (arancia, forse un po’ di coriandolo); il sapore dominato dall’alcool fa comunque sentire del possente agrumato che però non si prolunga in una nota d’amaro convincente, anzi la birra rimane sempre molto dolce e per niente secca (in linea di massima un difetto per la tripel, e anche per una blanche ...qualora faccia 9 gradi). Fa molto presto a stufare: figuriamoci a berla ora che sono 30 gradi e la soffitta è tutta imbevuta del caldo che ha ricevuto durante il pomeriggio.. d’altro canto ho mangiato poco e quindi mi aiuterà a sviluppare un senso di sazietà sufficiente per evitare spuntini fuori pasto. Detto ciò, non mi si fraintenda: è fondamentalmente BUONA, ha una certa complessità e offre qualche soddisfazione, però non è né fra le proposte migliori del produttore né una birra particolarmente invitante o sfiziosa, esempio sfortunato di uno stile che forse non dovrebbe neanche essere contemplato (perlomeno finché qualcuno non mi presenti un simile pot-pourri però fatto bene e di qualità eccelsa).

BB 04-11. Pour is a mostly clear gold color with a very fizzy, white, average head which is nearly all diminishing and leaves no lacing. Not a pleasant aroma with some creamed corn, notable alcohol, light candi sugar, and some honey, maybe some very light pomme fruit. Flavor is fair with some doughy yeast, honey, peach, light banana esters, and just a touch of coriander. Palate is very fizzy, warm, lightly creamy, and light to medium. Finishes warm and sweet with some lingering esters and candi sugar. BY FAR, my least favorite beer from Unibroue, a brewery who produces some very exceptional beers. The appearance and nose just killed the beer and the carbonation was almost repulsive. I will just chalk this one up as a mulligan.

Rate # 650, a 750 from Premier. Highly pressured bottle pours a slightly hazy peachy-gold with fine head. Rounded aromas of spice and fruit sweetness.. Tastes like an amped-up Blanche, and I LIKE Blanche. Pear, spice, apple, candy citrus, great little citric-apricot finish. VERY smooth and not too blatantly alcoholic (unlike me on a boat cruise LOL.) This was worth talking to the Canada Customs Chick so I could buy my Canadian beer in the USA. A few UB creations are under-appreciated, this potentially one.

Situation: Summer school kicks off--with only seven students.A good situation gets better--one gift from God deserves another? Glassware: La Fin du Monde snifter... Appearance: pours a soft peach hue that is indeed hazy with a white head that fades rather hastily... Aroma: light, fruity accents of lemon, corriander and fragrant spices play delicately; wheaty, yes, but the "strong" is not detectable through the comforably contained... Palate: smooth, light-bodied (!) ale; acidic in the throat but gentle, almost apologetically retreating--and little alcohol presence... Taste: light, bright wheat sensibility, with a balance of hops that doesn’t overwhelm--again, the "strength" of Unibroue is in its flavorful approach and delayed punch... Overall: A clean, pleasant vibe emanates from this brew, from the bottle art (which looks great blown up on a wall-hang) to the presentation to the final sedimental sip; dangerously drinkable, with a complexity of spices that had me drink each one in the case before I trusted my senses...

I pretty much adore anything from Unibroue and this was no exception. Pouring a generous, frothy white head (several fingers worth!), the colour was a medium gold, and damned cloudy it was, too! Aroma was typical Unibroue, with fruit, spices, and what might’ve been (or not) grass. Taste was just bloody nice, with the spices being rather low-key. Mouthfeel was right there, and the 9% ABV was well concealed. Aftertaste was quite right, too.

(bottle - 12 oz) Slightly hazy gold color with a fizzy white head. Aroma is sweet and spicy with a nice hint of yeast, various fruits, heavy malts, and some dough. Flavor is sweet and fruity at the start with a nice and sweet yeast middle that mixes with a very nice amount of spice. Finishes clean and sweet. Alcohol is well hidden. Much more flavor unlocks as it warms. Very high quality.

Cloudy straw color with a white soapy head that very quickly disappears. Aroma of grain, yeast, and fruit. Flavor of wheat, fruit/apple, and spice. Very nice and improved as it warmed to room temperature. Very nice!

Clear golden/orange pour with an attractive fine head. Aromas are the typical Unibroue doughy yeast, some very faint pears and apples and some soapy/wheaty notes. Flavours are somewhat interesting with vanilla, spices, lemon, more doughy yeast and a hint of sharp lemon. A bit too sweet though, which, when combined with the soapiness, becomes almost cloying. High carbonation, but not over the top.