I have lost my taste for Canadian beer as of late. Once getting my hands on quality American and Belgian microbrews, it became difficult to appreciate their usually lesser-made Canadian cousins. This beer, however, is an exception. Made in a style similar to a Belgian Quadrupel, this 10% abv dark belgian-style ale is brought to us by Unibroue on the occasion of its 17th Birthday.
I tasted sweet foral and root notes on this, much like many Belgian-style dark beers. However, the complexity of the flavours was deeper than usual and the beer much better balanced than many. The alcohol level also did not detract from the subtlety of the flavours, was not readily apparent, but was also not just masked by sweetness. I had this with a wonderful mango curry lamb sausage: a fantastic combination.
Very Good+
$8 at BCLDB Signature stores
Note: I didn't have time to get a proper picture of the bottle, so I stole one from the public domain of the previous vintage. The bottle looks the same, just increase the number by one!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Unibroue 17
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
I am a huge Belgian fan, but Unibroue makes some great stuff - try the Fin du Monde and Don de Dieu, Blanche de Chambly also nice. Easy for me to say - I live in Montreal (you can find this stuff anywhere!). Cheers!
We get a pretty decent selection out here too. I like their 'Maudite' beer (which I think is made in a dubel style). Still, though, it's hard to compare those to some of my favourite Belgians like Rochefort, St. Bernardus, Gulden Draak, and others. Definitely a good Canadian option, though!
Interesting--you and I seem to have similar tastes. Yesterday I picked up a vinho verde (in time for the heat!) and "La Terrible" from Unibroue! You posted on riesling, which, to be sure, isn't really like vinho verde except for the fact that it's sweet and white. Close enough, I suppose. I can't wait to try La Terrible--it's a huge bottle, and the ABV is .5% more than the vinho verde we drank yesterday! We'll need to save the beer for a large meal.
Joon S.
http://vinicultured.com
You clearly have an interest in Iberian Peninsula wines. You've definitely peaked my interest in Spain more, and I am planning on seeking out a few albarino's in the summer. I should add vinho verde to the list.
I'm going to Spain in the summer of 2009 and will be drinking plenty of awesome stuff I'm sure. Have you gotten into Sherry at all? I've recently tried some really good stuff and I am going to be visiting the Jerez region next year!
Also, since you are into Portuguese wines, you should definitely seek out some of their dry table wines.
I've not had too much sherry, unfortunately, though the wine experts I've read all seem to think it's the best and most underrated wine out there.
I had a taste of sherry at Jaleo, a tapas restaurant in DC. From what I remember, it went well with what we were having.
I've read about Portuguese table wines... apparently, those from the region of Douro are supposed to be the best.
Yep, Douro has great wines. I highly recommend Quinta Do Crasto (especially the riserva) or Quinta do Vale Dona Maria.
Post a Comment