Trader Joe's Providential Belgian Style Golden Ale - Trader Joe's Brewing Company

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.94/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

From the caged and corked 750 ml. bottle with an expiration date of 02-04-2015. Sampled on May 19, 2013.

It pours a highly carbonated rich yellow with a tremendous, puffy white head that sticks around.

The aroma is a fetching cavalcade of Belgian yeast, Belgian sugar, pale malts, coriander and clove.

The body is a little acidic but generally on the medium side.

The taste is mellow with the yeast and spices playing up bigger than anything else. A light hoppy finish. The is brewed by Unibroue for Trader Joe's and it reminds me of their La Fin du Monde.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 20:45:55 | More by puboflyons

negroobserver

New York

3.94/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance...
Heavily carbonated. Requires a soft pour. Completely translucent under light. Visible rising carbonation in the glass.

Smell...
Sweet. Spicy. Earthy. Clean and crisp. Refreshing.

Taste...
Starts off sweet.
Light flat bitter finish.

Mouthfeel....
Not too dense. Mellow rounded and soft. Tingling sensation on the tongue from the carbonation.

Overall....
A nice enjoyable mid summer afternoon beer. Could drink this all day at the beach.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 02:52:12 | More by negroobserver

Bierman9

New Hampshire

3.86/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

I picked this up yesterday at Joe's for $5.99. Was skeptical until I saw on the bottle that it was brewed by Unibroue. Can't be too bad, eh?

Into a small tulip, it pours a bright yet muted golden color. The carbo is fine and steady, adding to a healthy, fluffy 1" layer of marshmallow white foam. Lacing is thin and scattered. Aroma has some spiciness and ginger, with some bready, toasty malt added to the mix. It is light and airy on the tongue, with a bit of prickle, and the body is about medium.

Flavor is light and fruity, with orange-peel very noticeable. Has some light, crackery sweetness, and ginger makes another appearance. The finish is quite dry, with a bit of white-pepper spiciness. Fairly good, and refreshing on a warm, sunny day. Not in a Fin du Monde category, but still good. Prosit!!

3.86/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

1563

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 18:07:54 | More by Bierman9

Billolick

New York

4.15/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Caged and corked bomber, a bargain at $5 and change at my local Trader Joe's.

"Best before 02-04-2015" (almost 2 years away)

Pours clouded lighter tangarine, lite khaki head that stays nicely, before going to a thicker film and leaving moderate elongated blobs of lace.

Lemony nose, with some honey, lime and Belgian/Unibroue yeast notes.

Tasty, fruity, citric, yeasty, hoppy late. Notes of lemon/lime, ginger, more yeasty goodness, with alcohol well in check. Dangerously delicious.

Nicely crafted and thoroughly enjoyable, especially for the price. Gotta get to TJ's more often and make sure to put a few more bottles of this nectar in my basket.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 22:45:04 | More by Billolick

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Disguised in Trader Joe's clothing, the distinctive and specific taste of Unibuoue's yeast directs the taste of this strong Belgian Pale Ale through taste and texture in a way that only Unibroue can.

Decanting the beer, its dirty gold appearance is created with straw pilsner-stained colors and yeast haze. Its unfiltered character keeps it rustic and charming to its sight. The ale erupts with vibrant carbonation but only manages to amass a part-fizz, part-froth of a head that dissolves far sooner than I expected. Terse in retention, seldom clumped lace also gives the beer a lackluster foam character.

Grainy-sweet aromas of bread and powdered sugar rise to the nose, but is soon overtaken by the high spice of yeast- coriander, dried orange peels, white pepper, clove, and ginger can all be pulled from the overall scent. Lesser aromas of fruit arise in the forms of dry champagne, light banana, apricot, papaya, and pineapple. Undersold hop notes offer as much of a straw character as it does spice and only offers mild balances in the beer's overall aromatic profile.

The complexity not only continues but elevates when delving into taste: spice and fruit to this Fred and Ginger dance relation upon a stage of whimsical malt taste. All those exotic fruit notes of the nose manifests in a candied sweetness to start the show. Muscular spices cut right through the fruit and malt with heat, bold flavor, and an esoteric Asian character- cumin, curry, and ginger weave into the mix with ribbons of taste and create this marvelous varying taste. Hops provide earthy straw-like taste before developing into a spicy saffron bitterness to finish. Even mint and vanilla work to add complexity deep in the finish for added variation even as the beer tries to close.

Malty-dry to start, the beer strives for complete spice and dryness but lingering residual sweetness keeps the malt influence around until late middle palate. But diving into finish, the beer easily sheds its malty underpinnings and favors a champagne texture- full of acidity, alcohol heat, prickling spice, and light fiery sulfur. An aftertaste of grape, pepper, and yeast keeps me reminded of the ale-like properties that are unique to Belgium.

This ale is both delicate and boastful- it seduces you with its light fruit and tantalizing spices but then pummels you with its alcohol and earthen hop character. It's kinda like a praying mantis of beers. Even though she's an ugly duckling, her imbibers should take heed.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 04:35:21 | More by BEERchitect

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 750 ml corked bottle into a Duvel tulip glass. Bottle says best before 09/28/2014.

Appearance: Pours a pale golden yellowish orange with a moderate amount of bubbles. Solid three fingers of white head which slowly fade into a thin layer. Leaves a decent amount of lacing around the glass.

Smell: A spicy and yeasty Belgian aroma with a nice kick of citrus esters. Belgian yeast with hints of clove, white and black peppers, coriander, and ginger spicing. Hints of banana, pear, and apple fruit as well as citrus orange, tangerine, grapefruit, and lemon zest. Sweet pilsner like malts with hints of biscuit, hay, grains, toast, and crackers. Fairly earthy. A nice zesty aroma.

Taste: Follows the nose with a zesty taste of yeast, spices, fruit esters, and malt. Belgian yeast with a mix of spices including white and black pepper, clove, coriander, and ginger. A variety of fruit esters with some banana, pear, apple, and grape. Notes of citrus orange, lemon zest, tangerine, and grapefruit. Sweet pale malts with notes of biscuit, wheat grains, hay, crackers, and toast. A really solid all around fruity taste.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Crisp, creamy, juicy, and fairly drying on the finish. Alcohol is hidden well.

Overall: A very good take on a Belgian style pale ale. Good mix of spices and fruit esters.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 06:11:18 | More by MattyG85

wilkowski

Maryland

4.16/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: cloudy, straw golden, thin laced head

S: a sweetness up front with a body of rich warm bread, some banana, orange peel, more yeast and bready aroma

T: sweet malts, coriander, black pepper, ginger, bitter orange, grapefruit

M: good carbonation, light, per style

O: another good offering from Unibroue

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 04:34:00 | More by wilkowski

barnzy78

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750mL pours a pale golden-yellow with a little haze, tons of carbonation helps head retention maintain a 1/4" layer of foam atop the ale. Fresh lemon, orange, and grapefruit rind permeate the nose with hints of banana, yeast, and biscuity malt as well. Tastes are sharp with fresh citric notes of grapefruit, lemon, and orange, biscuit, yeast, banana, ginger, and spice; tremendous balance here. Mouth-feel is super creamy & smooth, medium-to-full body, pleasant carbonation. Overall, a nice surprise! One of my favorite Unibroue's, but they're all terrific.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 11:17:03 | More by barnzy78

threeviews

New Jersey

4.48/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a corked & caged 750ml bottle, best by date of 02-22-14 into an elongated tulip glass

A- Pours a slightly hazy, yellow/golden hue along with copious amounts of carbonation. A 2+ finger worth of white (large bubble/champagne-like) head is supported by immense carbonation streaming up from the bottom of the glass (no nucleation). Absolutely picturesque.

S- Chalky and immensely fruity...lemon/grapefruit citrus, fleshy tropical fruits containing green apple, green grape, mango, peach, pear...a medley of aroma that is hard to describe.

T- Follows the aroma. However, the malt backbone supports the fruity esters with enough strength so that it doesn't ever finish too dry or sweet. Amazing kudos to the brewers at Unibroue!

M- Copious carbonation is very reminiscent of sparkling wine, but is much smoother...allows all of the fruity flavors to coat the palate well before finishing dry and wiping your palate clean.

O- If you like/love Duvel and have a Trader Joe's in your vicinity, then get yourself a few Provedential bottles and enjoy, as it is dollars cheaper and just as quaff-able as the almighty Duvel (one of my favorite beers and my all-time favorite Belgian beer).

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 23:08:44 | More by threeviews

scottfrie

California

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle into NB snifter. Best before 09/28/2014.

A: Pours a clear golden apple juice color with a couple fingers of fizzy white head. Head quickly faded into a faint collar.
S: Sweet notes of golden fruits, pears, golden delicious apples, champagne, chardonnay, spice Belgian style yeast, black pepper, clove, green apple and wheat.
T: Follows the nose with sweet and spicy flavors of crisp fruits and peppery earthy spices. Earthy, sweet, sticky and bready flavors overall. The finish is full of coriander and clove and earthy hops, and the aftertaste is sweet with fruit nectars and honey.
M: Medium-full body, slick, drying and chewy mouthfeel, with fizzy but non-distracting carbonation.
O: A refreshing and well flavored Belgian pale. Light and easy to drink but rich and full flavored.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 01:00:59 | More by scottfrie

ONUMello

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a tulip
A: Hazy yellow with lots of carbonation and a two-finger head
S: Lots of wheat, florals, banana, clove. Very nice
T: Largely matches the nose, with wheat, banana, apricot and spice
M: Light but smooth with pleasant carbonation
O: A nice beer, especially from a producer like Unibroue for a beer with a mass retailer label

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 03:04:53 | More by ONUMello

Kendo

New York

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Poured from the caged and corked 750 ml bottle into a Duvel tulip. Body is hazy golden- yellow with a fizzy-bubbled 2-finger white head. The occasional splotch of lace is left on the side of the glass on the way down.

S: Nice Belgian-type nose - some floral notes over yeasty scents: a touch of banana and some clove. A bit of funkiness.

T: Mild yeasty tastes and funkiness over bread doughy malt. Generally sweet, with a touch of fruit (apricot keeps coming to mind, along with tropical fruit). Warming from alcohol felt in belly but not really noted on the palate. Finishes clean, semi-dry and with a good beer-like taste (think some cereal grains); no real bitterness, however. May be the best example of "liquid bread" that I've had in awhile.

M: Good creaminess due to the light, airy fizziness. Call it medium in heft, maybe a tiny bit lighter.

O: Good stuff. Not sure why this one's listed as a "Trader Joe's Brewing Company" beer instead of Unibroue (the cork even has that Unibroue "U" and the name Unibroue on it), and I can't help but wonder if it would have better ratings here if that were the case.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 00:10:02 | More by Kendo

4000qtrap

Missouri

4.64/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Source/Serving: 22oz bottle, fresh

S: Nice and deep. Banana and lemon verbena shoot through, but tart tropical fruits, moderate spice, doughy malt, and wild herb come through nicely. Light cider note. Pleasantly surprised at the balanced and complexity.

T: Great lively, interesting beer. Zesty and light with a nice herbal hoppiness that works very well with the belgian flavor component. A great balance of flavors that maximize the Belgian and hop notes. Slightly tart up front with banana, tropical fruit and lemon verbena from the nose. Fruity, juicy, and zesty. Natural Belgian yeast spiciness (not exogenous spicing, thankfully) comes through in the middle as well as a nice dry crispness, right on for my tastes, which give great drinkability and crispness. Medium low body and easy on the palette, but a nice creaminess comes through. Hints of funkiness. The finish matches the paler end of the lemon verbena notes with wild herb hoppiness and funk that really lingers.

Notes: A standout beer, and at this price ($5.99) its an incredible value. While this could just use a touch more hoppiness in the finish its one of the best Belgian pale's I've had, though it’s a style I find rarely works. No idea why this scores as low as it does by BAr's except that there might be some type of store-brand bias. Not average, worth seeking out. Buy.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 04:08:17 | More by 4000qtrap

ESPNman

California

3.68/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

2012 vintage, served in a Stone IRS snifter

A - Pours a hazy, golden straw color. Two fingers of thick foamy off-white head that resembles shaving cream. Moderate retention, decent lacing. It almost looks like a cloudy chardonnay.

S - Not a ton here... mostly Belgian yeast fruit esters and sweet malts. There's also a bit of tart lemon in there, as well.

T - Much better than I expected, given the nose. There's a fair amount of yeast flavors in this brew, but they're well balanced with a bit of tart apple and sweet malts. More funk than I was expecting, but in a good way. Juicy, tart apple, pear, and apricot flavors mix well with the sweet pale malts and (too much) yeast.

M - My favorite part of this beer, hands down. It had a creamy mouthfeel, medium carbonation, and just enough liveliness to bring this beer something special. It's perfectly matched to the beer... although it's not exactly typical for the style. It feels thicker, and less carbonated than most Belgian Pale Ales, but with the funk that this one brings, it really shines.

O - For the price, this one's a winner. It's not going to win any awards, but it's a classic Unibroue-style beer. I'm curious to see how this one will age, and look forward to grabbing a few bottles of it next year.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 07:36:47 | More by ESPNman

Lawl3ss

Texas

2.96/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75

Chilled 22 oz. bomber into a stemless tulip pint. Bottling date appears to be July 27, 2012.

Look- Claims to be TJ Brewing company, but the bottle, cork, and cage are clearly embossed by Unibroue. Pours a hazy straw with a large, soapy head that falls to a sticky, dense cap over the course of a minute or two and then persists until the glass has been emptied. Excellent lacing.

Smell- As soon as the bottle's uncorked, there's a fresh, doughy bready aroma mixed with a cidery tartness. After the pour, it takes on a toastier feel with significant sweetness in the background, candied banana. Also some... coriander? Maybe some clove, lemongrass? Not much for a spiced ale, but there's something there.

Taste- Sharper than expected, almost acidic, cidery. Crusty bread dipped in milk, banana, marshmallow, doughy yeast. The tartness at the beginning of the sip never really goes anywhere, just a vaguely fruity start that goes into a clean doughy body, finishes quite clean. Overall impression of a bowl filled with graham crackers, bananas, and whole milk. It's not offensive, but it's somewhere between bland and outright weird.

Mouthfeel- Juicy feel, medium body, light-medium carbonation. Crisp on the sip, finish is creamy and coats the mouth. At first, the ABV is hidden, but as it warms a certain booziness emerges.

Overall- Decent fridge-cold, and I'd probably buy it again to give to a friend used to American Lager. Not something I'd seek out.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 05:09:17 | More by Lawl3ss

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.68/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a light to medium golden amber. No pop from the cork and only a hint of carbonation, must have picked a flat bottle. Aroma of Belgian yeast, sweet malt, cloves, hint of banana. Flavor is mild Belgian spicing, apple and pear juice, finshes rather dry with light residual hops and spicing. Light to medium bodied, but no carbonation. Rather attenuated and light flavored, but what flavor is evident is pleasantly Belgian. I got the last bottle at my Trader Joe's and may have to wait to re-review this in case I got a bum bottle. Don't know if the flavor has been affected by whatever caused the lack of carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 04:26:46 | More by LiquidAmber

Dave1999

Virginia

3.79/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours a semi transparent yellow with a big foamy white head.

The smell is yeast,spices,bannana's and cloves.

The taste is light, slightly spicey,lemons and yeasty. The initial taste was pretty decent but the finish it quite watery.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth with medium carbonation.

A decent light beer, tastes fairly decent and is a good price.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 01:07:48 | More by Dave1999

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance. Pours a very hazy yellow gold with 1.5 fingers of fluffy white head that lasts a while and leaves some decent lacing.

Smell. Fruity Belgian yeast and traditional spices with a little light grainy malt coming through.

Taste. Light grainy malt, belgian spice and yeast, and a little tart lemon. Not bad at all.

Mouthfeel. Below medium in body, pretty lively and fine medium+ carbonation.

Overall. A nice lighter Belgian style ale. Would be great on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 20:07:50 | More by Rutager

BeerManDan

California

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

The color when poured was of an hazy medium light golden yellow with a fair amount of foam and also a fair amount of lace the the side of the glass. The smell of malts, mild hops and spices filled the nose with a pleasant aroma. The taste was of a lightly carbonated flavor of malts, hops and spices (cloves for one) and a nice pleasant finish on the end. A nice balanced of components on this Belgium Ale from Unibroue for Trader Joes.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 22:59:22 | More by BeerManDan

FosterJM

California

3.76/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

1675th Review on BA
Bottle to Goblet
750 ml C/C

2012 release
Purchased at Trader Joes Chino Hills

App- Pours the requisite orangey color of a golden ale. Small hints of yellow throughout. A bit of a dense center. A nice 2 finger white head that was a bit puffy. Settled to a nice cap and then left good cling lines.

Smell- Opens up a small citrus note infused with a semi balanced yeast/spice combo. Retained Unibroue notes and was a bit restrained but thick on the nose at parts.

Taste- For being a new addition to TJs lineup, it was pretty solid. More yeast than it needed and a bit thick spice. It was fairly balanced and creamy. Tasted like a Unibroue beer with that oak spice taste.

Mouth- A semi solid medium body with a fairly creamy medium carbonation. A bit bubbly at times and a bit dry at points. More yeast remains on the back of this beer.

Drink- A nice beer. Again semi balanced and a good price point for what it is. Might be worth aging a couple. Unibroue seemed to create something nice here.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 21:44:30 | More by FosterJM

gpogo

California

4.29/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Cloudy light yellow body with a small white head. Lots of bubbles.

A- Tropical, citrus, and that belgian yeast aroma. Some light sweetness and coriander.

T- Light wheaty sweetness. Coriander soapiness and belgian yeast flavor. Slightly sour citrus flavor.

M- Smooth, moderate constant carbonation.

D- For $5 a bottle it is completely worth it.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 04:32:51 | More by gpogo

mactrail

California

3.78/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Hazy pale yellow in the Ommegang chalice with a nice robust foaminess. Lots and lots of suds in the mouth. Long nose of fruit and grain.

Rather sweet, like a Hefeweizen, at least for a while. Tart with fruit like pears. Lots of the The classic Belgian yeasty flavor just doesn't quit. Very dry sensation takes over. It gets to be more like unripe pineapple. Quite a lip-tickler and actually quite peppery hot along with the coriander intensity. Thoroughly interesting spicy brew but a truly odd interpretation of Belgian styles. Sort of an imperial "Blanche de Chambly."

You're getting a real deal on this Unibroue beer at Trader Joe's. From the 500 ml bottle bought at TJs in San Diego. Label says "Best before 09-28-2014."

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 05:04:07 | More by mactrail

Rukasu

District of Columbia

3.8/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Clear golden color, a bit cloudier near the end of the bottle due to settled yeast. Strong white and fragrant head.

S: Floral and fruity with yeasty mustiness. Coriander and citrus rind, tropical fruit, and warming alcohol.

T: Sour citrus, Belgian yeast, more coriander.

M: Very light carbonation, quite flavorful but easy drinking. Wheatiness adds a bit of sharpness.

O: Pretty solid, yet inexpensive Belgian ale. May say TJ's on the label, but you know it'll still be a decent beer because they always team up with Unibroue.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 23:16:16 | More by Rukasu

impending

California

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-

750ml into a tulip. Pours a mid tone hazed golden yellow, towering yellow egg cream colored froth remains clinging as it subsides.

Sweet yeasty spicy fruity goodness. Clean, upbeat, unmistakeably Unibroue.

Taste is of light skinned fruits, apple, pear and a delicious but subtle orange citrus. Minor phenolic bitter comprises the aftertaste. Crisp. Shy of medium lively mouthfeel.

unmistakeably related to Don de Dieu
an exceptional value
cheers
jd

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 05:11:57 | More by impending

mpyle

Maryland

3.68/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

App - cloudy (knocked over bottle shortly before tasting - may have been an issue), straw colored. Poured a fairly large white head with good retention.

Aroma - subtle spicy aroma, slightly sweet. A bit of pepper and corriander.

Taste - Fairly bland spicy flavor, minimal malt. A bit of citrus sweetness. Dries out in finish - well attenuated and subtle hop bitterness are enough to make that so. Fairly clean finish with a slightly lingering bittersweet spice.

MF - Modest body, fairly high carbonation. A bit of alcohol warming, but not harsh.

Overall - Well balanced and drinkable, but not extremely flavorful or exciting.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 20:50:25 | More by mpyle