sfontain (500), Columbus, Ohio, USA Jan 1, 2008 22 oz bomber 2 to 3 years old. Pours dark brown to garnet; initially a large, multi-finger, tan head that becomes a medium ring. Aroma of dark sugars and fruits. Flavor is loaded with dark fruits; a light twinge from the alcohol, but the 10% is really nicely hidden; finish is also fruity and without bitterness. Medium body with lots of lively carbonation. Overall, solid; not my favorite Unibroue, but it’s still very good.
Stine (1320), St. Paul, Minnesota, USA Aug 7, 2008 Poured from a 750 ml bottle. A frothy, effervescent chocolate. Anise, bubblegum and pear aroma; mostly yeasts, and developed spicy chocolate malts; vinous in white fruits and peppered with a friendly nip of spicing. Flavor is similar; black cherries, black licorice and a dustily herbal wooden quality; somewhat like smoking applewood and potpourri; brownish spices are everpresent, but soft, and complimentary on a bronzy, earthen malt sweetness. Anise predominates in the mid palate, with a gummy dark sweetness; somewhat suffocating to the more subtle flavors, as it tends to be, but it’s nice. Medium-full palate, softly sparkling, finishing on a banana and toasted pecan-like sweetness; alcohol well hidden. The malt and yeast have really softened into each other; this is a gem. Skyview (2777), Papoose Jct., Minnesota, USA Aug 3, 2008 Purchased 750 ml bottle at Cellars Wine & Spirits in St Paul, Minnesota. Pours a hazy brown amber brew with a thin tan head that quickly dissipates to a fine film and thin ring. Aroma of caramel and biscuity malts, some raisin, allspice, dark pitted fruits and some citrus zest. Taste is full bodied, light carbonated with complex flavors of caramel malt, toffee, chocolate, maple syrup and raisins. Finish is semi-sweet with a high alcohol warmth and an aftertaste of tart cherries, caramel and toffee. rocbyter (617), Waterbury, Connecticut, USA Aug 1, 2008 Light grape and dark malt aroma. Dark brown color with a brown head. Moderately strong malt beginning. Developing a spicy alcohol middle with a tangy bitter finish. Light palate. Snojerk321 (943), San Diego, California, USA Jul 13, 2008 750ml bottle. Pours a swamp water brown with a minimal tan head that became non existent. Aroma had a kind of sour funk and mustiness to it, sour cherries and other dark fruits in there as well. A slightly sour carbonated mouth feel with a faint pucker on the finish. Different than I was expecting but very good! EnSiFeRuM (248), Quebec, Canada Jun 20, 2008 Bouteille de 750 ml. Nos yeux observent une bière de couleur brune foncée avec des reflets rubis et une mousse quasi-inexistante. Notre sens de l’odorat respire des arômes très madérisés de sucre brun, d’alcool, de cassis, de caramel brûlé, de fleurs, de vieille framboises, de chocolat noir, de cerises noires et de pruneaux. Notre palais fait face à un bon corps avec une texture sirupeuse et nos papilles gustatives à des flaveurs madérisées de petits fruits rouges confits, de chocolat noir, d’alcool, de vin rouge, de sucre brun et de fleurs. Me fait un peu penser à une Trois-Pistoles qui aurait subit les effets néfastes du temps.
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