Trois Pistoles - Unibroue

scratch69

Missouri

4.15/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I poured a bottle into a tulip glass.

Appearance- Dark brown with two fingers worth of light tan head. Fair amount of lacing.

Smell- Dark cherry, sugar, and belgian yeast aroma with a hint of some sourness.

Taste- The flavor is very similar to the smell with a slight taste of the alcohol.

Mouthfeel- Medium bodied and smooth with a light amount of carbonation. Leaves a sticky feeling in the mouth after the swallow.

Overall- Good beer but not one that I am likely to try again.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2013 15:23:20 | More by scratch69

utopiajane

New York

4.56/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

Pours a deep dark brown with a flourishing head of beige foam that recedes to a very thin cap. Soapy lacing and alcohol legs. On the nose it’s cherries, bready yeast, strong malt undertones, sticky fruit and some horse blanket. The hops are forward on the palate with a little pepper accompanied by the yeasty sweetness and the ripe fruits. The malt is good and strong like a dark beer should be but the balance is perfection. It has a medium-heavy body but it’s practically weightless on the palate and finishes off-dry with some alcohol warming. This ale has dash and a soaring spirit. One of the best.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2013 16:37:33 | More by utopiajane

J_Dub

Texas

4.64/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a deep dark amber. Very dark pour. No head at all.

The smell is dark fruits and sugar. The fruits smell like an apple/pear mix with just a touch of sourness maybe. There's also some malt but it's hidden beneath the other complex dark flavors.

The flavor is similar to the nose. Sweet dark fruits (apple and pears again) with some malts. Spicy belgian yeast dominates quickly after the initial flavor. Warming alcohol at the end.

Tons of prickly carbonation give this brew a good body.

Great beer. Wonderful nose and taste with several complex layers while being very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2013 00:27:06 | More by J_Dub

stella77artois

New York

4.04/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into pint glass.

A - Haven't seen many beers that have been more impressive to look at. Dark, dark brown, almost black. Thich looking. Not much a head, though. Some bubbly action visible.

S - Not a whole lot going on, but nothing negative. Malt and sweet dark berries is what I got. As the beer warmed, the sweet aroma became more prevalent. A hint of a roasty smell at times, too.

T - Pretty darn good. A bold, slightly sweet malt taste, along w/ aforementioned berries. As the beer warmed, the dark berry taste became a bit sour. Nothing bad, but that keeps this brew from being just a bit higher on my list. Very suprised that even when warmed a bit, the 9% ABV really isn't noticeable. Alcohol can be tasted, sure, but never offensive or hot.

F - Almost a perfect thickness. No need to chew, but you know it's there. Carbonation is noted, and am ok w/ the amount. Beer seems like, albeit dark, could still be refreshing on a hot day. I drank it while watching hockey in AC-cooled conditions.

O - Highly recommend this beer. A thick, bold flavored beer with a slight sweetness and lots of character.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2013 13:14:15 | More by stella77artois

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Ug, despite the awesome beers, still using a screw cap!

Pours a nice fizzy 1 finger head that fades semi quickly as the big bubbles pop, spotty lacing, over dark molasses mahogany murky beer with hints of ruby light sneaking through.

Nose is a nice Belgian beer aroma, typical Belgian yeast with light esters, fruity aromas, light spices like very faint cinnamon and nutmeg, fig and date like fruit, malts bring a faint molasses and candi sugar, with faint booze and touch of phenols, and even a touch of an apple pear like fruit.

Taste starts with big malts, fairly sweet but not really syrupy, with candy flavors, candi sugar, molasses, etc. Then fruits, a little raisin fig and date, as well as light fruity esters bringing apple and pear. More baking spices with faint cinnamon and nutmeg like. The sweetness brings some warming slightly tingly booze, as well as a touch of phenols. Overall a nice Belgian like taste profile, a nice Belgian strong ale. The booze gets a little anesthetizing as it goes almost with tingly feel. Finish is still semi sweet but drier, long lingering candy flavor with molasses and candi sugar, even a little nutty toffee, with more dark fruits, candied fig, and plenty of booze.

Mouth is med bodied, plenty of bubbly sharp carbonation, and plenty of tingly booze.

Overall nice, a long time favorite for me, nice dark malts and fruit flavors as well as sweet flavors and the Belgian characters, even the light spices were nice. the booze gets a little too strong overall and might be the only downfall.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2013 03:39:59 | More by jlindros

Roman5150

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

bottle into duvel glass

appearance: dark mahogany brown with slightly off white thick head

smell: smells like a trappist, very yeasty, dark figs, sweet, coriander, earthy

taste: Very complex flavors. Off the bat I get a lot of bready notes, sweet vanilla, pepper, coriander and clove, and some grape notes. Very dry aftertaste. Alcohol is hardly present

mouthfeel: super high carbonation

overall: A highly carbonated dark trappist/belgian ale. Very smooth and drinkable, alcohol is hardly noticeable, one of the best Canadian beers i've ever had. If you like trappist beer you should seek this out.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2013 02:13:46 | More by Roman5150

Gipsy_Danger

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a glass chalice.

A: Dark appearance. Nothing out of the ordinary.

S: Very strong grape or raisin flavor through the nose, with hints of plum. Not a huge fan of that particular fruit note.

T: Very, very smooth with a strong grape/wine/raisin aftertaste. Very fruity with tinges of alcohol.

M: Smooth mouthfeel. Perfect blend of carbonation and silkiness.

O: Good beer, but not to my particular liking. 4.25/5.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 01:37:28 | More by Gipsy_Danger

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.04/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a super deep red, pretty much brown, with a huge frothy khaki colored head. The foam fades slowly, leaving a ton of lacing on the glass and a rocky layer across the top of the beer.

S: The nose is a mix of malt, spice, grass, and stone fruits. I get a touch of cherries and raisins in there. The alcohol is hidden well for a 9% brew.

T: It starts off sweet like raisins and malt, but the spice notes make themselves present in the middle of the beer. It's a bit bready and the alcohol shines through in the back end. Good mix of flavors for this beer. It's kinda all over the place.

M: Medium bodied beer. It's sweet and coating to start, not too sticky, and finishes a bit dry as the alcohol kicks in.

O: Good beer. I've never been a huge Belgian Strong Dark Ale fan, but this beer is nice. I'd drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 18:24:05 | More by trxxpaxxs

THANAT0PSIS

Wisconsin

4.28/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Unibroue Trois Pistoles

Appearance: A member of the catchall style that is “Belgian strong dark ale”, Trois Pistoles pours a dark brown with a ruby red tint. As seems to be the norm for Unibroue beers, the head requires a gentle touch in the pour to keep within the glass. Treating the bottle like a small child yields a gorgeous tan head three fingers in height. It is stubborn, sticking around for ages and leaving amazing lacing all over. The beer is also extremely effervescent, which is perhaps a factor in the staying power of the head. There are no alcohol legs, surprising for its 9% ABV.

Aroma: As expected, dark fruits abound. Figs, grapes, plums, cherries (slightly tart) are the dominant aromas, but there are also sweet caramel malts, honey, spiciness like black pepper, clove, and a touch of coriander. There is also a bready, yeasty smell, that seems characteristic of Unibroue beers. Alcohol is present in a slight tingle. Like La Fin du Monde, this one has a lot of nice things going on in the aroma (and smells true to style) but simply is too weak overall to really impress.

Taste: Praise be, it is much more flavorful than the nose would let on; in fact, it nearly follows the nose perfectly, but exponentially stronger tasting than it was smelling. The dark fruits are prominent, tasting mostly like plums and cherries, but with a fig sweetness. Then comes a great molasses/brown sugar component from the malts that really reigns in any sourness that the dark fruits may have given it. Cola is a prominent flavor as well, and there are even some lighter fruits like pears present toward the back of the taste. The very end of each sip brings the spicy yeast character that ties everything up in a nice, dry bow. This beer finishes very clean with only lingering earthiness. A really fantastic example of the style, if not quite on par with its Trappist colleagues.

Mouthfeel: Trois Pistoles is creamy, nice carbonation, medium-bodied, and exceedingly drinkable, especially for the style. Beers like this usually feel much heavier, but this one goes down smooth and is surprisingly refreshing. The alcohol is there, but sits at a comfortable warmth that builds as the beer goes down. The finish is reminiscent of red wine in its dryness. It is a bit odd for the style, but a little deviation here improves the drinkability (something that may be dangerous given the relatively high ABV).

Overall: This is a fantastic example of the Belgian strong dark ale style. For the most part, it is very classic, but the shift toward drinkability greatly benefits the beer overall. Based on this and La Fin du Monde alone, Unibroue is most deserving of its sterling reputation. This beer is up there, though not better than, the great examples of the style, and it is certainly cheaper. If you, like me, have been waiting to pull the trigger on this or other Unibroue beers, wait no longer: you are missing out. 17.5/20

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 02:26:51 | More by THANAT0PSIS

YieldToNothing

New York

4.71/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

12 ounce bottle into a tulip
dark broam with a creamy with head of about 1/4 inch.
smell is of figs and other dried fruits. smells like a good belgian strong dark/quad should.
taste is wow, as good as almost any belgian strong dark i've tasted. unibroue is legit!
maybe not the best example of the style, but a DAMN good one and one i will return to again and again.
considering the price, this beer is in its own class.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 03:38:48 | More by YieldToNothing

spoony

Colorado

4.28/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From a 355 ml bottle (best by November 14, 2014) into a globe.

A-This beer is quite murky and dark, nearly black, with a nice ruby red highlight. A normal pour produces about two fingers of dense, creamy, tan head that drops pretty quickly into a thick cap.

S-The smell is quite sweet and malt dominant. I smell lots of dark, candied fruit like plums and raisins. The alcohol is sweet and solvent-like, but it fits pretty well into the beer. Its a nice mixture, if not as complex as some.

T-The taste, although still sweet, is not quite a tooth-tingling as the smell would lead you to believe. I detect dark, sweet fruits, and some raisin and prune like the smell, but the taste has more spices like pepper, clove, and cinnamon. There is also some cocoa powder in there.

M-The feel is a real highlight. It is soft, lightly creamy, and medium to full bodied.

O-Along with La Fin du Monde, Trois Pistoles was one of my early craft beer experiences, so it is nice to get around to reviewing it. This is a big strong beer with lots of flavor and great mouthfeel. However, with lots of other big strong beers to compete against now, it may lack the complexity that the best examples of this style possess. That being said, I would happily drink this as dessert six days out of seven because the sweetness really is delicious and the 355 ml bottle is easier to justify on a work night.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 02:49:03 | More by spoony

jeranbrews

New York

4.69/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

A - deep cherry mahogany hue. Some higher clairity than expected. Little to no head or lacing. A bit confused.

S - crisp yet smooth aroma crazy amounts of stone fruits. Malty sugars and caramel confections. Sour and sweet balanced perfectly.

T - copy the above paragraph. Lovely. Heavenly complex flavors of fruit and malts. Strawberry and cotton candy mixed with banana peel and white wine. The aftertaste is crisp and citric. Only possible complaint, too sweet maybe.

M - a slight noticeable abv burn but just right for this style. Crisp despite little to no head.

D -So many north American "Belgian style ales" are cheap jokes of imitations that couldn't find Belgium on a map but this one could easily pass a blind taste test.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 22:53:10 | More by jeranbrews

jvillefan

California

3.89/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours with a dark brown almost black body with a huge (and somewhat annoying) head despite my best efforts to keep it under 2 fingers.

S: Huge belgian character with dark fruit aromas. There is a subtle licorice/anise aroma as well. In the back of the aroma there is a smoke/roasty smell that ties this up nicely.

T: Way less flavorful then I was expecting. There are numerous flavors present but it does not have very strong flavors. There is the dark fruit flavor in the beginning. Next comes the spices, it has a coriander/lavender flavor in it. The belgian spiciness comes up next and the flavor is finished off by a roasted grain flavor. All flavors could be elevated significantly to make this better.

M: Nice thick body with a bit too much carbonation.

O: A great belgian beer but the flavors are a little muted.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 03:45:42 | More by jvillefan

Tone

Missouri

4.14/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a black color. 5/4 inch head of an off-white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of sweet malt, pale malt, yeast, slight hop, spices, and an earthy grass aroma. Fits the style of a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with a low carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, slight alcohol, slight pale malt, slight hop, slight yeast, hint of wheat, spices, and a hint of dark citrus. Overall, good appearance, aroma, body, and blend.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 13:02:10 | More by Tone

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.84/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle opened on 3.28.13
Best before 02.27.15

A - Pours a medium cola brown with a fizzy tan head that is gone quickly.

S - Sweet fruit, spices, and cola.

T - Spices, fruit cake, cola again.

D - Good carbonation with a light to medium body.

O - Belgian-ish cola and spices. Pretty boring actually.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 03:17:49 | More by HuskyinPDX

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: Pours a slightly murky mahogany in color with some minimal amounts of visible carbonation and some dark amber highlights. The beer has a finger tall fizzy dark beige head that quickly reduces to a small patch of extremely thin film and a very thin ring at the edges of the glass. Minimal amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of cherries and dark fruits lending a touch of sweetness along with the distinctive Belgian yeast.

T: Upfront there are light flavors of malts with some toffee sweetness followed by the moderate fruit flavors - cherries, dark fruits (figs and dates), and apple. There are lights flavors of spices and Belgian yeast. Light amounts of bitterness in the finish.

M: Just shy of medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation.

O: Overall while this is a big beer with rich complex smell and flavors, the beer is relatively easy to drink since the alcohol is well hidden. I think of this one as more of a sipping beer but definitely one I enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 22:31:49 | More by dbrauneis

barczar

Kentucky

4.08/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Best before 2012.

Pours an almost opaque cola with garnet highlights and a foamy half inch khaki head that lingers.

Molasses, raisins, plums, dark cherries, and belgian yeast form the initial aroma. There's a buttery note and a bit of bready malt. There's slight vinous and musty character that emerges.

Belgian yeast is huge initially, along with dark fruit. Yeast esters of green apple and a vinous character dominate, eventually allowing prunes, dates, and raisins to surface. There's a bit of toasted caramel malt character and molasses sweetness. But esters really are prevalent. There's slight peppery notes at the finish. Becomes breadier and more buttery as it warms.

Body is slightly full and syrupy, with low carbonation and slight alcohol warmth.

Far more estery than I recall. Could be the age. Would prefer more dark fruit prudence and more malt character.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 00:03:21 | More by barczar

TheDoctor

Quebec (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A:
Pours a rich, murky red-amber with some gold when it's in the light. Has a thick head and mellows out to a nice consistent head with lots of lacing.

S:
Immediate pungent hoppy aromas along with cloves and pine, has some malty sweetness too. Smells 'warm.'

T:
Nice, round flavor. Tastes kind of earthy but defintiely has some vauge spicy-sweetness to it. The bottle says it stays in your mouth afterwards like port. It really does. It's quite enjoyable

M:
Gentle warmness, with strong carbonation and a long-lingering afterburn.

O:
Genuinely delicious beer. I am kind of at a loss of words for how to describe it. It is not super bitter, nor is it super sweet. It is warming and refreshing at once. Super good. I tried a couple of their beers before and wasn't really convinced about how good a lot of folks think they are. I am definitely starting to come around.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 21:10:20 | More by TheDoctor

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4.68/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

This pours a medium brown color with a foamy, beige head. The aroma is slightly yeasty and malty with some dried fruit. The taste is very rich and bold with lots of complex flavors. There is mostly dried fruit and spices that finishes with a lingering yeast after taste. Gives off a good little alcohol warmth as well. Very well made!

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 04:56:24 | More by Lemke10

dar482

New York

4.69/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

This beer comes in a dark brown with a bit of red and a small head.

The aroma is of juicy raisin, dark cherry, prune, plum, and a bright hop smell.

The taste is similar. The carbonation hits you at first and then the flavor gets to you. It has bready malts and dark fruits of plum, dates, and prune. It reminds of a carbonated tripel/quad because the carbonation is so prevalent in this.

This is a complex wonderful beer. The mouthfeel and carbonation stand out for me. If you don't like Belgian dark ales or quads, I recommend this. It really has a "light" (although being a very dark flavor beer) presence with the hops and carbonation that lifts things up.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 06:54:59 | More by dar482

Braber

Illinois

4.26/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: A beautiful ruby red / mahogany that is just transparent enough to see through. Fairly tight white head that dissipates rather quickly.

S: Large dose of the Belgian yeast character right away. Transitions to fruit characters that are backed up by a little bread-like quality.

T: Sweetness of the malt blends really well with the high alcohol of this one. Dark fruit character that transitions to a bit of apricot and nectar quality.

M: The beer is thin due to the high ABV but holds quite a bit of mouthfeel, all things considered. For 9% this is about all the body one could ask for.

O: Great beer that gets me excited about Belgian dark's all over again. A beer of great quality that allows me to keep faith in traditional styles.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 23:48:27 | More by Braber

BaltimoreBeerLover

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a wine glass.

Appearance: Dark red-brown that is opaque. Big fluffy white head that disappears fairly quickly. Some lacing.

Smell: Smells like a typical belgian dark ale with a very nice ripe fruit aroma.

Taste: No alcohol taste whatsoever is surprising for a 9% beer. Typical belgian dark ale taste plus a little spiciness like nutmeg and the ripe fruit aroma is present in the taste as well although not as pronounced. Tastes like La Fin Du Monde but not as flavorful.

Mouthfeel: Medium carbonation with a flavor that really coats the entire mouth and lingers for a while.

Overall: Great beer overall. I love the strong fruit aroma because it does not smell fake. 3.9/5.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 17:28:59 | More by BaltimoreBeerLover

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Pours a dark purple-red-brown with about a three-inch collar. Some light passes through. Nice retention.

Medicinal yeast blasts me upfront. Notes of plum, tobacco, dark bready malts, pear, phenols, pinot, and a dry cidery apple. Interestingly, not picking up much alcohol.

Super phenolic. Typical Unibroue yeast dryness and delicate nuttiness along with other dry notes of dark fruits. Plum, grape, and pear. Mild tobacco and some booze. Lots of hospital tray medicinal notes. Finishes long and musty.

Medium in body, maybe a little more. Piquant carbonation inhibits the swallow a tad. Headier now, works well as a sipper. Perhaps, as an aperitif, with that dryness and medium bitterness making me hungry.

Not my preference for this style, but it's strangely charming. Execution is primo. Has a unique signature.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 04:28:36 | More by thecheapies

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Poeworks snifter.

A- pours a dark garnet with a 2" tan head. Nice trails and clumps of lacing remain on the glass.

S- big yeasty notes, bread, some metallic notes, dark fuits.

T- dark fruits, bread, yeast notes,

M- medium body and carbonation. Fairly dry drinking beer.

O- nice beer. Not overly comple, but nice dark fruit notes with bready yeast notes as well.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 03:35:46 | More by kawilliams81

DilisioYCBC

Colorado

4.06/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Aroma: cherries are the most upfront with a little malt sweetness.raisens and alcohol

Appreance. Dark copper, close to a burnt copper. brilliantly clear.

Flavor: starts sweet, but the alcohol balances this off to bring in some nice fruity esters of dark fruits plum, dates. With the sweetness and dark fruit it is almost, almost port like.Very low bitterness.

Mouthfeel:creamy. Moderately low carbonation. Warms as it goes down.

Impression: a tad on the sweet side for me, but very drinkable for the strength. A tasty drink, but I would have appreciated a little more carbonation to carry the amount of flavor and alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 03:35:39 | More by DilisioYCBC