Trader Joes Vintage Ale

The 2008 release smells of dark fruits and brown sugar, perhaps banana bread made with black molasses. These flavors continue on the tongue, with the dark fruit esters especially present. Deep below those fruits are caramel and chocolate malt flavors, as well as tobacco. A nice, well-balanced smattering of hops completes the palate, mostly noticeable in the slight tingling the ale leaves on the tongue. But the dark fruit flavors easily dominate, creating a huge sugary-alcohol flavor to this brew, no doubt in no small part because of its 9% alc./vol. status. Anyone familiar with some of Unibroue's other offerings (especially their other "ales on lees" such as Trois Pistoles), will easily recognize the flavors present here. In fact, it might be an interesting comparison to see what the differences are between Trois Pistoles and the 2008 Vintage Ale; it seems to my memory that they share far more in common than not.

This beer is excellent as most Unibroue beers are. However, its price at 4.99 makes it much more accessible to purchase more frequently. I have had it the last several years and they have been consistently good. Belgian in flavor and consistency, a darker brown in color. We have three or four bottles of 2007 stashed away. I think I'll throw one in the fridge.