Unibroue Maudite

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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12 oz bottle into a Duvel tulip. A: Pours a extremely hazy dark brown color. The head is a two finger offwhite shade with big bubbles. This causes the head to fade away in a semi-rapid fashion - however it still retains one finger of height extremely well. S: This seems to feature more caramel and toffee than the typical BSDA. Other notes of candied sugar, white grapes, and apple round out the dark malt qualities. I could use a bit more chocolate on the nose, but I can’t complain about what I’m getting here. T: Immediately I notice rich fruit esters, such as cherry, grape, and apple. There don’t seem to be any significant dark fruit qualities aside from a touch of raisin in the middle of the flavor profile. Some of the malt flavors pop up near the back end; like I suggested on the nose, it’s more caramel and toffee than chocolate (however I do pick up a bit of the latter from time to time). The balance of flavors is solid, and the alcohol is hidden spectacularly given its dry lightness. M: It feels quite angular on the palate - I expected a bit more initial creaminess to balance the dry finish a bit. That’s to say nothing of the strong carbonation, either. It seems to be designed to be very drinkable, and in that regard, it’s extremely successful. O: Okay, it’s not my favorite offering from Unibroue - but that’s a bit like saying this is the least attractive woman in a group of Miss America finalists. It’s still a solid BSDA focused on drinkability over depth. In addendum, this was likely an older bottle; I wonder if this would be sweeter/less dry fresh.

6th Feb 2013: in La Trappe, San Fransisco: sat in a dark area, so had trouble seeing the true colour of the beer, front label on bottle bright enough but my glass seemed to hold a dark orange brew within it, on top what looked like an off-white foaming crown. Semi-sweet aroma with malts leading the way, with yeastiness and fruit esters just behind in strength. The taste is a pleasant blend of biscuity malts and dark fruit flavours intermingled with yeast traces and some hop spruce hints. Very drinkable. Body depth was fine and the alcohol sat nicely within the flavours.

Pours a cloudy caramel with a cream head. Keeps a slight head while drinking. Hints of bananas and other fruits on the nose. Tastes slightly sweet with a touch of carbonation. Would be great with hearty food or enjoyed solo.

Not enough her for me... Lots of flavors... Very similar to other beers in this series... Good very good but doesn't speak to me in a way Canadian Belgian beers should... ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

Murky orange brown, lasting creamy tan head. Aroma of fruity yeast and spicey dark malt. Fruity Belgian yeasty taste, clove, lightly toasted caramel malt. Soft carbonation, medium body, lightly hopped. ABV well hidden, goes down easy, soft fruity finish. NFL (Not For Lagerboys) ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

Essa belezura representa muito bem a cultura cervejeira canadense, uma grande cerveja, com drinkability fantástico, "facinha" de beber.

Murky brown pour into glass... white head.. Old fruit aroma.. Taste is fruit..malts.. Some spice.. Weird but drinkable

I poured a 12oz bottle into a tulip glass. It had a "best before" date of 4/10/15 (is a two year freshness window really that helpful, though?).

Appearance: One of the few beers that is truly brown in color. Extremely hazy, opaque body but fine, spastic effervescent can be seen crawling along the side of the glass. Forms a large, beige, foamy head which is slow to dissipate but doesn’t lace the glass.

Smell: Plenty of dark fruit, dried fruit and autumn-like spice notes.

Taste: It’s been a long time since I’ve had a beer where I literally said "wow," after the first sip. Thankfully, Unibroue Maudite has broken that streak. I’m not usually a fan of the general "Belgian Strong Dark Ale" style, but for whatever reason this beer makes it work quite well. It’s a complex, robust body that doesn’t overwhelm the palate.

There’s a lot of different flavors happening in this brew. It begins with a light fruit note. Red apple, plum, fig and raisin are all quite prominent immediately. I taste a sweetness reminiscent of applesauce and cinnamon. There’s a slight rum sensation at the crest of the swig, quickly followed by dry bitterness and additional spice. This is a delectable palette to say the least, and I especially enjoy the fact it’s not sticky, cloying or boozy.

Drinkability: While Unibroue Maudite might not be the most chuggable beer ever, but it’s remarkably smooth for what it is. The carbonation is very fine and energetic. I did get some CO2 stuck in the throat, but it was easily tolerable. The aftertaste is slightly spicy and a tad dry. At 8% ABV it’s quite efficient for the style, as others of double-digit strength have about as much flavor. There is minor alcohol warmth throughout, but it’s complementary, not distracting.

Murky Brown, Small Head, Light Lacing. Spicy Aroma. Yeast Sourness, Fruity Sweetness, Lite Champaign Like Alcohol Aftertaste. Not your average Brew. As you get closer to the bottom of the glass, it grows on you. It is no longer strange but pleasant. Not sure if it is suited for average Joe, but i Did Enjoy it.

Spicy aroma with a similar palate. Taste was not to overwhelming. Not my favorite beer.