Unibroue Quelque Chose

Brewed by Unibroue (Sapporo)
Style: Fruit Beer
Chambly, Canada

For my 100th rating, I decided to do something that I can review multiple ways. Quelque Chose (2002) seemed a natural choice since it can be enjoyed on ice, at room temperature or warmed up like a mulled wine. Absolutely no head. Looks like apple juice. First the iced version: The cold downplays any aroma and takes a hit at any alcoholic warmth that might be there. It’s certainly refreshing with a pleasing tartness on the finish. At room temperature: Smells like cherry licorice nibs. Has more discernible young red wine characteristics, like a Beaujolais Nouveau. Sweet, but not cloyingly. Cinnamon stick, star anise, all-spice, nutmeg. Tingly on the tip of the tongue and finishing dry. The spiced cherry flavor lingers on and on, which is a very good thing. Finally served sipping warm: I don’t claim to know what heating does to the chemistry of this beer, but it poured with a head, not much of one but there was definitely some foaming. The color also deepened in redness. Whisps of alcohol as it coats the tongue. The dryness is also accentuated. Definitely the way to serve this on a cold December night. Overall: A wonderfully versatile brew. I can’t see going wrong with any of the varied ways to serve. My personal favorite is warmed. For Canada, this certainly makes up for Bryan Adams.

Bottle (2002): Served hot by mattbob.   Not your typical rate, served hot, ey?   Reddish in color, small off-white head, foamed out the top as the bottled heated up, with spotty lacing.   Nice mulled wine like aroma, except it being cherries instead of grapes.   Flavor was very smooth, cherry was not as strong as I remembered.   Very clean and enjoyable.   Cellar temp I did not like, but this stuff warmed is very enjoyable.   Next time I gotta try it o the rocks.   Highly recommended.   I know what I might be serving guests at Christmas!

Reddish orange color with no head at all. I’m not picking up mush aroma but it has the flavor of cinnamon, spice, and of course cherrys. It ends with a very slight sour tang.

Orange with no head. Heated up it tasted like a cherry cider with spices. Aroma is very fruity and spicey. Lots of cherries. The heated brew goes down really smooth. A nice sour taste that adds to it. Upon the 1st sip I smiled instantly. Re-note/rate: This is definately one of the best beers made to date.

Bottle poured red/amber with no head. Aroma is sweet cherry, ginger and spice. flavor is also sweet cherrys and spice. I warmed a glass of this up and thought how good it would be on a cold winter night.

2002 Bottle: Aromas of cherry, spice, cinnamon and clove. Redish body little to no head. Had a good juice cherry flavor and was smooth easy drink to have.

VINTAGE 1996. Je savais que quelque chose de spéciale m’attendait lorsque je pris ce vieux liège dans mes mains pour le humer. Dès le premier contact avec le liquide brouillé de rouge aux reflets bourgogne, une image claire de l’endroit de garde où aurait pu séjourner cette bouteille se manifesta... Organique, vieille cave humide, terre moisie, sirop aux parfums de cerises. Les empreintes laissées par le liège fonctionnent très bien et ne prennent miraculeusement pas toute la place. Tartrique en bouche, suggérant fidèlement le fruit entrant dans sa création. Texture sirupeuse, corps d’épaisseur moyenne à pleine, presque aucune carbonatation (ce qui semble encore une fois être à l’avantage de cette bière) Merci beaucoup Rastacouere !

Bottle. Blood red, no head, sweet, cherry, cinammon, raisins, ginger, nearly glogg.