PDA

View Full Version : trader joe's 2005 vintage ale (unibroue)


studentofbeer
12-05-2005, 09:10 PM
first impressions

trader joes 2005 vintage ale with a silkscreened bottle, corked with a unibroue-labeled cork that was hell to get off. 9% abv.

pours dark brown/nearly black with medium tan head that fades pretty fast. fizzy looking.

smell is raisins, grape, bubblegum, mint,

taste is sweet grape, some bubblegum, pine, mint/menthol. bright flavors for such a dark brew. relatively strong herbal characteristics.

mouthfeel is a bit fizzy.

overall a very drinkable brew, but to me not quite the quality i've come to associate with unibroue. the unibroue yeast also stands out.

nothing really wrong with the beer, but the flavors seem a little bright and stand out, and there's not a ton of complexity. people asked about aging this one, and i am wondering if that might mellow things out and meld flavors.

gonna let it warm a bit and see if anything new stands out. it's probably at (pure guess) 55 or so right now. been sitting out in a warm kitchen for about 40 min.

studentofbeer
12-05-2005, 09:44 PM
as it warmed it got a bit more interesting, more berry and raisin fruit came out and the flavors blended a bit more (also i was eating dinner, so that might have something to do with it). definitely make sure to drink this one just below room temp, say 58-62 degrees.

xtalman
12-06-2005, 11:32 AM
I have to agree this was much better on the warmer side vs just out of the fridge. I am glad to hear I am not a weakling when openning this up, I had a bit of trouble also getting the cork out.