Trader Joe's 2011 Vintage Ale - Trader Joe's Brewing Company

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beer is dark brown, close to black. A large off-white head. Very active, bubbles a lot and begins to dissipate right away, at a fairly quick pace. Some lacing, not much.

Smell is full of dark fruit and the characteristic Unibroue Belgiian yeast. Cherry, plum, raisin, grape. Some hints of spice as well, and a malty backbone.

Very sweet, the fruit flavours are up front. Raisin, grape, plum, cherry. Spices are clearly present though I am not able to pick out particular ones- some ginger in the aftertaste, perhaps some nutmeg. Fairly bready. A little thin and not as complex as many of the style.

Thinner than expected, and highly carbonated. Too fizzy for me. Sweetness is a bit drying.

Overall, a decent BSDA but not great. Very clearly a Unibroue beer but not up to the calibre of most of their offerings.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 18:38:07 | More by jrenihan

ForWhatAlesYou

Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cork and cage bottle says good for many years to come. Cork in good condition.

A: Pours a huge fizzy off white head. Opaque pitch black with brown tones.

S: Alcohol, dark fruit, very spiced.

T: Initial raisin and spice (clove?) Allspice carries through. Port, a light burnt note.

M: Well carbonated. Nice drying note.

O: 9.0% but pretty good. Worth a shot for the low price tag. Worth considering aging a couple.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 14:12:33 | More by ForWhatAlesYou

tastybeer

North Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Deep, dark, murky brown in color with large foamy beige head. I almost thought it was black initially. Not much lace sticks around once the head fades to a thin layer, though a nice looking beer none-the-less. Aroma matches color in darkness. Fruits like figs, prunes, purple grapes, raisins, and apples, wallowing in sweet chewy malt. A little licorice, some apparent alcohol, and spiciness throughout. Spices are all over...maybe some fresh ginger, perhaps cardamon, possibly coriander? The alcohol is more apparent in the flavor, though not a deterrent. Seems slightly whisky-like. Plenty of dark fruit tastes as in the smell, but a bit sweeter than I expected. Not quite to the level of cloying. There's some balancing tartness through the finish. Body is full and texture is syrup-like. Feels like a heavy beer which in this case seems neither negative or positive. Given the sticky denseness of this I am drinking this down at a faster than expected speed. Overall a pretty interesting beer. Not mind blowing but pretty decent.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 02:30:39 | More by tastybeer

wedge

North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Slight gusher. Pours damn near black in color. Opaque with a tall, rocky beige head that quickly fades to a wispy covering, then nothing. Deep fruit, spice, and Belgian yeast in the aroma. Apple, banana, and a touch of licorice. Big, creamy, spicy flavor...a large smack of Unibroue yeast and some brighter spices like coriander and clove. Sweet raisin and fig with perhaps some ginger and citrus, though it's faint. Medium-plus body with some lively, but not over the top carbonation. Pretty good stuff and an interesting move with the spices...

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 02:16:09 | More by wedge

Beaver13

Colorado

2.48/5  rDev -34.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

750ml bottle, best before 07-06-2016. Pours brown with a pillowy light tan head that goes to a thin film that leaves a little lacing.

The aroma is sweet bready chocolate malts with some banana notes from the yeast and some perfumey floral notes. Some spices come out some as it warms (corriander, ginger?).

The flavor is similar - sweet sugary bready chocolate / caramel malts with earthy yeast and some banana. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with sharp spritzy carbonation.

Overall, an OK Belgian. Just didn't mesh well with me.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 07:00:02 | More by Beaver13

vandemonian

Maryland

3.43/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Trader Joe's 2011 Vintage Ale is ok. It's pretty mild but there are some off flavours too.

A: Black colour and a 25 mm head that lasts really well. 4.5

S: Malty and some apple clove flavour. 3.5

T: Malty with dark fruit flavour. It's a very mild flavour with something off in the finish. 3

M: Super foamy. 4.5

O: 3.5

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 04:19:24 | More by vandemonian

BrownNut

Florida

3.83/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This review is of an un-aged 2011 vintage.t

A - soapy foam head that takes a few minutes to boil down to a persistent cap. Almost no lacing. Cola colored.

S - Hint of fruit under something else I can't identify. Something bordering on savory. Maybe like a savory baked good.

T - Very nice. Christmas spices pair nicely with the high booze content. Goes down pretty smoothly. The finish is slightly sour and slightly metallic.

M - Not thick like I was expecting. Bit of a carbonation sting on the top of the tongue.

O - Pretty nice. I was expecting something syrupy and not ready for prime time since I didn't age it. Now I wish I'd drank this at Christmas. It would be good anytime, but the spices make it very much appropriate for cold holiday evenings.

Had another 6 months later in july. Here's what I found.

Smells of belgian yeast with a bit of a funk. A little spicy
opaque dark brown nearly black
loud and active tan foam that dissipates quickly
tastes christmasy. Spice
carbonation stings more than I'd like
would give it a 3.75 if I could

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 02:30:50 | More by BrownNut

wowbagger

Virginia

3.43/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very dark with a foamy thick head. Some hints of brown and red but mostly dark.

Smells of malt and fruit.

Taste, a little spice and those fruit notes. A little sweeter than I expected. Some cherry at the back of the mouth with a grassy feel. The spices linger and tend to dominate overall.

It looks like a dark ale, but tastes more like a spiced wheat and it's a little thinner than I expected. I had mine cold but I suspect that closer to room temperature would be more appropriate. Very interesting offering from Joe's. I'd recommend giving it a shot if dark spiced ales are your thing.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 00:27:50 | More by wowbagger

garymuchow

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Desired this for several years and was finally able to come across some.
Great fresh spice aroma - with the spices not necessarily yeast related but the additional spices noted on the label. Nonetheless, a pleasing aroma. Some dark base malt in the back.
Nice visual. Full rich head. Dark body with reds hues on the edges. Soft lacing.
Good complexity to the taste. The spices are evident, but a little quieter than in the aroma. Firm tasty malt. Yeast is rather subdued for style. It's there, but it's not as prominent as I expected.
Body seems as it should. A little south of moderate, with ample carbonation.
For the price, this is a very solid beer. Worth it all the way. Doesn't meet the best version, but I'll seek out the version next year.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 03:23:56 | More by garymuchow

peoplewithhands

Nebraska

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750 mL bottle into a snifter glass

Appearance: Poured almost black with very slight hints of redness on the edges. Poured with large 2 inch tan head that turns into a half inch that stays for the entire drink lacing throughout consumption.

Smell: sweet smelling, yeasty, a little tart and fruity.

Taste: very sweet with lots of malt flavor, some roastiness. Alcohol is hidden, but the finishing taste is like strong sour tart fruit.

Mouthfeel: Medium feel, creamy and smooth. carbonation is there, but not overbearing.

Overall: very sweet malty ale with a sour finish. 9 abv. is well hidden. Good sipping ale, but maybe a little too malty for my tastes. It could benefit from some hoppiness or other spiciness to offset the sweet malt.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 05:46:52 | More by peoplewithhands

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle - $4.99 at Trader Joe's in Roswell, Georgia.

Best Before: 07-06-2016.

Appearance: Pours out a near black body with a airy, lofty head stand, light khaki in color. Plenty of head from a little, light pour; good thing I'm using the Duvel glass here.

Smell: Mixed fruits spritzed with alcohol and mixed with a variety of raw sugars, then, a sniff of wafting ground cloves and orange peel followed by notes of burley tobacco, aniseed, and banana.

Taste: Toasted crusty dark bread dosed with dark brown sugar, dark candi sugars, a shot of cola (potentially with a doctorate degree), and a blend of finely-ground spices. Moderately sweet. Clove and redolent, bitterish citrus peel carrying over from the nose. Hints of star anise, spruce tips, allspice. More spicy and less fruity here in the taste, though the banana is making a good showing. Teeny tiny sliver of hops here simply blending into the spice tastes. Sweetish, spicy, well-carbonated finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Lively, effervescent carbonation -- there will be burps.

Overall: An agreeable brew from the simple, understated packaging to the taste to the price tag. Sadly, I've developed the habit of keeping the Vintage Ale in mind until it's actually released, then, only remembering when it's long gone. Not this year, thankfully!

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 19:31:51 | More by ChainGangGuy

BilbosNuts

California

3.85/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750mL bottle into a tulip glass.

A: Pours a dark brown that is almost black. A two finger, rocky, tan colored head sits on top. Light bubble streams can be seen rising vigorously to the top.

S: The aroma consists of a generous amount of cloves and typical sweet belgian phenols. A touch of dark fruits, particularly plums, add to the aroma. There is a slight hint of alcohol towards the end.

T: The taste is a bit different than the aroma. I pick up on more belgian sugar flavor and more of the dark fruits. The cloves take a back seat to the other characteristics in the taste. Belgian yeast and a spicy phenol taste round out the flavors.

M: Nothing spectacular when it comes to the feel. It is medium bodied with an adequate amount of carbonation. The alcohol is very well hidden.

O: This is a solid, well put together dark ale. It has basically all the characteristics you'd want- strong dark fruits and malts, some spicy phenols, and it hides the alcohol deceivingly well.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 04:04:59 | More by BilbosNuts

VaterRoss

North Carolina

3.83/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle into pokal glass, BB 7-6-2016

Appearance is a very dark brown with an active tan head. Bubbles are visible through the hazy brew. Head is extremely persistent, stuck around for the entirety of the 30min+ session. Very pretty beer and I was quite impressed by the tenacious head. Smell is spicy and yeasty, oh so spicy, with hints of fruit (prunes). Taste is very boozy, spicy with some yeast, again the dark fruits. Mouthfeel is medium weight and dry, high carb.

The booziness kills this for me, I had a 2010 that was aged a year and can say that this beer truly benefits from aging. Not a bad beer unaged, but it is definitely worth the time.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 04:33:24 | More by VaterRoss

zaphodchak

Virginia

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Massive, well retaining offwhite head and a dark brown body.

Nose full of Unibroue yeast, slightly funky for being a current vintage.

Judging by the description on the bottle (which is the same as the 2010) and the taste, it is in fact the same beer. My guess is that it's Trois Pistoles (or something very similar). Raisin, ample coriander, a bit of currant and plum round out the fruit profile-- still plenty of yeast. Overall faintly tart. The coriander may be slightly too much, but I'm splitting hairs; Unibroue doesn't make bad beer.

Full and rich, bottle conditioned and pretty bright.

I was hoping for something different from last years, but now at least I have enough to keep for a while. Maybe I'll do a vertical in 2012.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 04:24:27 | More by zaphodchak

LiquidAmber

Washington

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into an Ommegang flute. Pours a very dark red brown amber. Two finger light brown head dissipates quickly to a thin film and heavy ring around the glass that has good retention. Nice lacing. Aroma of dark fruit, Belgian yeast and spicing, light citrus. Great flavor of dark, light and dried fruit, assertive but well integrated spicing with cinnamon and clove dominant. Finishes somewhat dry with a sharp kick from the spices, hops and active carbonation. Medium bodied with slight creaminess supplemented by spicy carbonation. Not quite as intense as the Unibroue main line up, but very pleasant and enjoyable to drink. An incredible bargain for a decent Belgian strong dark at the price.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 03:54:35 | More by LiquidAmber

jbakajust1

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 750ml into 12oz Rodenbach Tulip

A - Pours an opaque black w/ ruby highlights and 2 fingers of beige head that fades to a thick cap, lost of carb, and leaves great lace

S - Smells of chocolate, dried fruits, cloves & cinnamon, cocoa, cherries, oranges, vanilla

T - Tastes of spices, pepper, cloves, fruity, ginger, dried fruits, spice heat on finish

M - Spicy heat & alcohol burn in dry finish, medium/light body, prickly acidic carbonation

O - Very complex, lots of fruits, tons of spices, drinkable, rich, warming, light and spritzy

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 20:10:04 | More by jbakajust1

00trayn

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours with a thick head that faded to a ring around the edge of the glass. Decent lacing. Color is a thick dark brown.

S - Had a malty scent with hints of spices and a sweeter, fruity undertone.

T - Starts out quite sweet with fruity, spicy flavors. Has a nice roasted flavor to it as well. It finishes with a somewhat bitter spice.

M - Good carbonation, smooth and creamy.

O - Pretty tasty, I enjoy the fruity flavors. It's definitely makes me think of the holidays. I'm regretting that I only bought one bottle. I'd be interested in trying this aged.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 00:45:49 | More by 00trayn

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle purchased from Trader Joe's in Omaha, NE.
Obviously bottled in later 2011.
Poured into a tulip glass.

Summary: The Trader Joe's Vintage 2011 is a fairly light-tasting, fruity, dark Belgian ale. It is good, though not overly complex, and quite drinkable.

Pours a thick slush brown-gray foam, 2cm in height. Excellent retention. Leaves good streaks and lacing as foam descends and with each sip. Body impenetrably black or dark brown, light gives faint highlights of dark amber. Plentiful carbonation at bottom of tulip glass.

Wine-like aroma with a hint of blended sugar sweetness. Not tart or sour. Fruit esters, particularly of grapes and plums, slight caramel if inhaled deeply. No traces of ethanol.

Taste is very vinous, typical Belgian yeast notes, sweetness as if from plum or grape juice. Slight prune juice flavor. Sharp, somewhat acidic on the back of the tongue. Alcohol noticeable on sides of mouth and nostrils. Generally pleasant, nothing amazing.

Medium to medium-light bodied. Carbonation is there, though "soft," not painful or "big," beer foams up to be rather smooth. Soft finish, fairly dry.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 18:17:00 | More by falloutsnow

TheSarge

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nice to see Unibroue doing the brewing for this one. Should be a solid beer.

Two finger thick bubbly head of light tan color. Dissipates quickly. The body is black, but shows off brown hues when held up to the light.

The aroma and taste is sassafras, sugary cola, and maybe some vanilla.

Feels chewy, wetting to the palate, but still warming in the end.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 23:51:34 | More by TheSarge

rodney45

New York

4.08/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Very dark red, with a tan head that dissipates quickly. On point for a high abv belgian strong ale.

S: Munich and pilsner malts, over ripe banana, and plum. Some spice notes, perhaps corriander, nutmeg and cinnamon.

T: First tasting notes are of plum, corriander, cherry, raisins, and overripe banana. Secondary profile is of munich, crystal and pilsner malt. Very belgian style flavor, and much of the phenols are given off by the unibraeu belgian yeast that ive noticed before in some of their other beers, specifically maudite. Dry and sweet aftertaste.

M: Light to medium mouthfeel, with low carbonation. More sweet than bitter.

O: I really liked this beer. It was brewed on leese for trader joes, by unibroue. Its a solid example of a belgian strong, you could even consider this in the quad category in my opinion. I would definitively purchase this beer again. Im glad i have a few to try in a year down the line.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 13:34:32 | More by rodney45

AgentMunky

California

3.53/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750mL bottles into a cervoise glass. Stamped G20112317Q. Best before 6 July 2016.

A: Corked very tightly with a Unibroue cork and cage. Head is off-white and fizzy. It churns and fades fast and completely. The beer itself is incredibly dark, almost black, but is actually barely translucent and blood-red in direct light.

S: Winey, musty, and spicy. Corriander and...clove? Bay leaf?

T: A very spicy, noticeably strong BSDA. Though the flavours are strong -- mostly darkish, fermented fruit liberally laced with the aforementioned spices -- they persist only a short time and leave very little notable aftertaste.

M: The mouthfeel is dry, spritzy, and, again, vageuly wine-like.

O: I feel that it's better than my rating indicates, but it's not a particularly strong showing for a BSDA. Perhaps, as the label indicates, it will benefit from aging. As is, it's overspiced, overlight, and underwhelming.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 23:49:48 | More by AgentMunky

beerbellydaddy

California

2.28/5  rDev -39.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Trader Joes Vintage Ale 2011

Corked 750 ml bottle, champagne pop and smoke

It pours a fizzy, dark, root beer brown, not thick, and it has ample foam.

Smell is bold, nearly intrusive; it hits me as too cloying and medicine like.

It tastes of peppermint and reminds me some of cough syrup, and it has a very evident alcohol taste. It didn’t grow on me.

It fills the mouth with pleasant enough, yet to me misplaced, champagne like fizz.

Some people really seem to like this but it isn’t my cup of tea. This is just too sweet and bubbly; and the hops seem to be hidden behind too many flowery flavors.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 23:12:28 | More by beerbellydaddy

kojevergas

California

3.83/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750ml brown glass bottle with hood-and-wire cap over a cork served into a Weizen glass in low altitude Orange, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are high given what I've heard about this beer. I really hope it lives up to the hype. Acquired at Trader Joe's (obviously).

A: Pours a three finger head of fair cream, nice thickness, and great retention (especially for the high ABV). Colour is a solid nontransparent black. Generally appealing.

Sm: Lees, yeast, roast, and spice. Maybe raisins and plums; certainly dark fruit. Rich and inviting. A pretty strong aroma. Very pleasant and intricate.

T: Spice and yeast (or lees, if you prefer), with dark fruit esters - maybe plum and/or raisin. Really impressive. Very yeasty, but it isn't biscuity. It does add a lot of character to the body. It's nicely subtle, and I imagine the subtlety would only improve with age. Complex enough, and delightful to drink. Some light wine character towards the finish. Bravo. Rich and almost exquisite.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Not too thick or too thin. Suits the flavours nicely. Not over or under carbonated.

Dr: A bit difficult to drink just given the flavour boldness. There's nothing wrong with that. I'd love to try this aged. It's got a great subtle flavour to it that I really dig.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 07:57:28 | More by kojevergas

SgunnarW

California

3.73/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750ml corked bottle into a snifter.

A: Pours a deep, chocolate brown with a 2.5 finger khaki head that settles quickly. Lacing is minimal.

Sm: Sweet with dark, roasted malts. Brown sugar comes through first, followed by blackberries and possibly figs.

T: Very sweet up front. Tastes of plums and figs with hints of sarsaparilla and molasses. Spices are definitely noticeable, mostly cinnamon and clove and are almost overpowering. Develops into a burnt sugar taste after warming...almost medicinal. The alcohol is very warming.

Mf: Dry and thin with a lot of carbonation.

O: For the price, this is a solid brew from Unibroue. The spices are overwhelming, but it has a great taste. Like others who have reviewed this beer, I'm looking forward to cellaring a few bottles.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 06:46:14 | More by SgunnarW

ElGordo

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the 750ml caged and corked bottle into a Maudite snifter. Body is a deep brown color topped by a small amount of creamy tan head that has some decent staying power but doesn't leave any lacing. Nice aroma of dark, sweet malt, some holiday spices, dark fruit, candi sugar, and the tangy notes of the Unibroue house yeast.
Palate is sweet and complex. Lots of dark fruit (raisin, prune, blackberry), a touch of roasted malt, and a little bit of candi sugar are the primary flavors up front. Notes of clove and cinnamon, bready yeast, and a faint touch of hoppy bitterness. Finish is a bit warming from the significant booze content. Body is rich and creamy, a good vehicle for the assertive and complex flavors. I've got a few years of this saved up in the cellar, I need to try doing a vertical tasting sometime soon.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 05:15:40 | More by ElGordo