Trader Joe’s Vintage Ale 2009

From Dan – Every year, I hawk and stalk the beer section at Trader Joe’s around Thanksgiving, looking for the beer deal of the year. What I am referring to is Trader Joe’s Vintage Ale made by Unibroue.  Unibroue is the brewer of La Fin Du Monde, Maudite, and other fine Belgian-style ales made in Quebec.  While most Unibroue beers run me anywhere from $9.00 – $14.00, Trader Joe’s Vintage Ale has been $4.99 for the last 4 years I have been buying it. Most years, it has tasted quite similar from years past, but this years had a new twist that set it apart from the pack.

Trader Joe’s Vintage Ale 2009 – Brewed by Unibroue for Trader Joe’s – 750 ml bottle poured into a goblet. 9% abv.

Appearance: Pours black with a slight reddish hue at the bottom of the glass. The head starts out with a inch big tan head that subsides to a 1/4 inch.

Aroma: Lots of spice such as cloves and ginger, some candi sugar sweetness and some dry malt too.

Taste: Burnt malt, roasted malt, cloves, ginger, candi sugar, and that trademark Unibroue house yeast.

Mouthfeel: Full and very fizzy.

Overall: A great treat with a new spin on it for 2009.  I am enjoying that bit of ginger and the darker malts compared to previous years.