Maudite - Unibroue

ThaCreep

Belgium

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The nose is quite spicy but still with a predominance yeasted overlooking the candy and oranges at a time. The palate is velvety thanks to sugar candy, yet spicy with notes where aromatic coriander and clove come point the tip of their nose. The aftertaste reminiscent of macerated fruit and fruit added to the body of the beer. It is closer to a than a Dubbel Belgian Dark Ale and a bit like a brunette or a Gaumaise Grottenbier in a little better.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-28-2011 09:30:53 | More by ThaCreep

thain709

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - The beer was served with a cloudy, burnt amber body and it had a thin, creamy white head...nice lacing left behind

S - I wanted more out of the aroma...some dark fruits with a hint of sweetness and a hint of spice

T - The flavors of this beer worked very well together...there is an initial dark fruit flavor up front...it's quick because some sweet malts come in and take over...the yeast and spices add a nice touch and stand out the most to me...there is a lot of clove and black pepper coming out

M - Medium bodied...creamy with a nice blast of spiciness

D - This was my first offering from Unibroue and I liked it...I think having this on nitro might have helped a little bit...a good Belgian with a balance of fruits, sweetness, and spices

Serving type: nitro-tap

06-30-2010 16:52:45 | More by thain709

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

6th Feb 2013: in La Trappe, San Fransisco: sat in a dark area, so had trouble seeing the true colour of the beer, front label on bottle bright enough but my glass seemed to hold a dark orange brew within it, on top what looked like an off-white foaming crown.

Semi-sweet aroma with malts leading the way, with yeastiness and fruit esters just behind in strength.

The taste is a pleasant blend of biscuity malts and dark fruit flavours intermingled with yeast traces and some hop spruce hints. Very drinkable.

Body depth was fine and the alcohol sat nicely within the flavours.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 04:36:11 | More by BlackHaddock

AlfaMale

Virginia

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

I'm not usually a red ale type of person, but this beer can get one past that. It is a fine mix of hops and brandy like quality that make it a pure treat for the senses. The last time I had a Belgian style red ale this good was when I was in Belgium. The beer pours smoothly into your tulip ale glass with a substantial head and a bouquet of early sumer floral tones that whet the palate for its imminent arrival. A sip will not last long, as you will want to recharge your tastebuds posthaste and repeatedly. The colour, as you would expect, is on the red side of amber, but not crystal clear, nor too cloudy. As you can probably tell I liked this beer a lot and will search high and low for in on my many road travels. Frankly, I've had three different Unibroue beers over the past several days and they have all been brilliant.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 21:28:28 | More by AlfaMale

dar482

New York

4.49/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Comes in a murkey copper color, a reddish brown. In the light, it has this lovely dark amber color. The head is a small bubbled one finger head that quickly dissipates to a little white ring around the glass.

The aroma has a big bright fruity smack of Belgian yeast and breadiness. It’s not really super dark fruits like a quad, but maybe some dried cherries, raisins dried apple, and clove. A nice aroma on this.

The flavor follows through, but it’s quite surprising. There’s some sour apple, a bright caramel, and toffee. It has this slight bitterness about it that just grows and eventually grips your tongue slightly. Not like a hop bomb IPA, but surprisingly for a Belgian style. It almost reminds me slightly of Duvel, but stronger and richer. It’s quite prominent and refreshing actually. The fruitiness however pushes it towards La Chouffe instead of Duvel.

Like Trois Pistoles, this beer has a wonderful tiny bubbled carbonation and mouthfeel. Almost like a super fizzy champagne.

The finish has almost a metallic taste, which is not really a dig at the beer. It’s not in an offensive manner that makes to beer taste skunked or anything.

It’s quite a complex beer. Extremely drinkable. The fruit, spice, and tinge of bitterness are wonderful.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 07:36:00 | More by dar482

confer

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

It's hard to find much wrong with this beer.
It is a cloudy lighter brown when held to the light. A real thick foamy tan head that lingers.
Smells sweet like a mix between a tripel and a quad.
Just slides down, sweet goodness with just a hint of alcohol in the finish.
Another great beer from Unibroue.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 00:20:39 | More by confer

N3rdM3t4l

Oregon

3.41/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5

750ml corked bottle into wine glass.

A: no head at all. Based on other reviews this makes me nervous. Cloudy amber beauty a little closer to brown than red. Tiny bubbles sit around the edge.

S: sweet with that Belgian funk. Malty with no hop on the nose. Solid smelling Belgian strong dark. Because of the lack of head I am having issues getting too much aroma.

T: obvious astringent notes expected from the style. fruity esters like apple but they are hidden a bit. The Belgian funk is wonderful. Finishes a tad bitter surprisingly.

M: medium bodied, somewhat thin. I think my bottle has lost some carb because it is pretty flat. Thst explains the non existant head.

O: this is good and if my bottle weren't a flat flop it would be better. I can feel the potential in the beer. Still a good drink though. I would happily buy it again in hopes my second try isn't as flat.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 01:50:45 | More by N3rdM3t4l

ThaneMcC

Maryland

4.44/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: long neck bottle, poured into tulip glass

Appearance- reddish brown, persistent white foam, thin

Smell: mild floral, herb

Taste: so carbonated and evervescent with a clean, balance of acidic crispness and clean/tart mouthfeel and complex sweet/dry with clean finish.

Notes: overall a very complex, hard to articulate the complexity. I have a preference for sweet, maltier beers, this is a reliable none too sweet, crisp and clean finished beer that goes down easy,

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 00:02:40 | More by ThaneMcC

MattChaos

North Carolina

4.83/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Phenomenal beer! Purchased a 725ml bottle alongside a Eau Benite from a Unibroe boxset (and very reasonably priced at $25 for the both).

The Maudite pours from the bottle into a standard pint class with barely a quarter-inch head with no descernible lace. A quick sniff would suggest spring-time fruits complimenting the front-end with no bite at all. The back-end is slightly chewy but pleasant. The color is nothing but gorgeous; golden-brown until the second half when it turns into a brilliant and bright caramel hue.

I've yet to find another beer like Maudite and the entire Unibroue brewery deserves laurels. Chalk me up for another, please!

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 01:28:44 | More by MattChaos

THANAT0PSIS

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Unibroue Maudite

Appearance: Maudite’s head flows out of the bottle before the drinker even pours it. After a display like that, the head is exactly what one would expect: huge (three fingers) and lingering. It is an off-white, and, when it eventually does settle, it is a nice, yet effervescent crust. The beer itself is also extremely effervescent and a very deep amber; this appears to be Unibroue’s take on the dubbel style as La Fin du Monde is to tripel and Trois Pistoles is to quadrupel. It is also quite cloudy and has a small bit of sediment (but that may be the fault of the pour). The lacing is very underwhelming, however, this is a great looking beer.

Aroma: There are lots of banana esters, raisins, some figs, a bit of a fruity and bready yeast, which, of course, comes along with Unibroue’s typical spiciness. Surprisingly, there are also a bit of citrus fruits in the form of apricots, tangerines, peaches, and, though it is not citrus, pear (another classic Unibroue characteristic); presumably, this is mostly from the malts, which also incorporate a nice, sugary sweetness. The alcohol is also quite present. This beer smells like a wonderful cross between the aforementioned two Unibroue beers (La Fin du Monde and Trois Pistoles), which is a bit like what the dubbel style is anyway. There is lots of complexity here, which is a lot to love.

Taste: The banana is strong with this one, basically dominating the flavor from front to back. There is a mild bubblegum character from the yeast, some dark fruit sweetness (raisins, figs, grapes, and plums), notes of pear and the citrus fruits mentioned above, some cola, and just a touch of an earthy hop character to bring it all to a halt and make the drink refreshing. There is a bit of a residual bready and spicy yeast aftertaste, but for the most part it is really quite clean.

Mouthfeel: Maudite is medium-bodied, creamy, nicely (naturally) carbonated, sticky, and extremely refreshing. It definitely does not taste like an 8% ABV beer, apart from the mild warming. There is something wonderful about bottle-conditioned beers, and Unibroue always seems to nail it.

Overall: Does Unibroue do any wrong with their year-round lineup? They do Belgian styles wonderfully, perhaps the best outside of Belgium (though perhaps Ommegang and certainly Allagash could give them a run for their money). They are always very true to style, and Maudite is no different, and the price point cannot be beat next to the Belgian imports. This sampler pack was an excellent decision, and I encourage all those not on the Unibroue love-train to buy it or throw caution to the wind and purchase four four-packs of Maudite, La Fin du Monde, Trois Pistoles, and Don de Dieu. 17.5/20

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 03:44:03 | More by THANAT0PSIS

smooth_aleing

Pennsylvania

4.19/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from 12oz bottle into tulip, part of Trader Joe's 'Unibroue Sampler Pack.'

A= Pours a clean, nut-brown with some haziness. Good, two-finger head that fizzles down nicely to a mild froth.

S= Bready yeast, banana, molasses, brown sugar, with good floral notes.

T= Plums, candied fruits, raisin, caramelized sugars. Slightly sweet, but not overwhelming. Good amount of sugary malts, with a hint of a booze kick to it, given that it's lower in the Strong Ale spectrum at 8% ABV.

M= Good carbonation, no lingering sourness, which can ruin an otherwise pleasant Belgian Strong.

O= Excellent beer, as one can expect from Unibroue. Though I prefer Don de Dieu or Fin du Monde, this is nonetheless a great beer and well-worth trying, and a fine example of a Belgian dark/strong ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 23:55:26 | More by smooth_aleing

Hoptometrist

Oregon

3.63/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served from the bottle into a tulip glass

A- Poured a dark brownish-red color with a big fluffy off-white head that left splashy lace

S- Kind of faint for a Unibroue beer. Some yeasty, dark fruit, and big mineral notes

T- Big cherry, plum, prune, grape (almost grape soda like), some clove..

M- Medium to fuller bodied, high carbonation, very dry, nice alcohol warming on the finish

O- A really nice dark belgian ale that is on the sweeter side but not cloying.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 04:52:38 | More by Hoptometrist

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.66/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle into a Duvel tulip.

A: Pours a extremely hazy dark brown color. The head is a two finger offwhite shade with big bubbles. This causes the head to fade away in a semi-rapid fashion - however it still retains one finger of height extremely well.

S: This seems to feature more caramel and toffee than the typical BSDA. Other notes of candied sugar, white grapes, and apple round out the dark malt qualities. I could use a bit more chocolate on the nose, but I can't complain about what I'm getting here.

T: Immediately I notice rich fruit esters, such as cherry, grape, and apple. There don't seem to be any significant dark fruit qualities aside from a touch of raisin in the middle of the flavor profile. Some of the malt flavors pop up near the back end; like I suggested on the nose, it's more caramel and toffee than chocolate (however I do pick up a bit of the latter from time to time). The balance of flavors is solid, and the alcohol is hidden spectacularly given its dry lightness.

M: It feels quite angular on the palate - I expected a bit more initial creaminess to balance the dry finish a bit. That's to say nothing of the strong carbonation, either. It seems to be designed to be very drinkable, and in that regard, it's extremely successful.

O: Okay, it's not my favorite offering from Unibroue - but that's a bit like saying this is the least attractive woman in a group of Miss America finalists. It's still a solid BSDA focused on drinkability over depth. In addendum, this was likely an older bottle; I wonder if this would be sweeter/less dry fresh.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 02:10:09 | More by ThisWangsChung

polloenfuego

Ontario (Canada)

4.31/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From a 12 oz. bottle into a snifter.

Poured a brown copper with a three finger head. Head retention was fairly long and after a few minutes a small filmy head is all that remains.

The aroma is yeast, fruit and some floral.

The taste is sweet and the yeast is there again. There is a slight boozy feel, but the other flavors just overcome this.

This is a smooth beer that is enjoyable. If you are a fan of Belgian style ales, I would recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 01:15:03 | More by polloenfuego

NV9

Ontario (Canada)

4.44/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap in Montreal

Very nice hazy orangy brown in colour with a great big head that dissiaptes slowly and leaves a lot of retention.

Smell is nice, fruity, citrus and a hint of banana.

Taste is great, very smooth, slightlly sweet with a bit of an alcohol taste to let you know it's 8%.

Very very smooth, light to medium in body and carbonation, very drinkable, highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2013 01:53:17 | More by NV9

pcurtain

Oregon

4.58/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

LOVE Belgians and this was a wonderful triple. Balanced, not too sweet. Solid and malty without being all sugars. Loved it. I'd recommend to anyone that likes Belgians. Maybe limited enjoyment for the Hop-lovers out there. I'd seen it in stores but hadn't brought any home, probably will in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2013 00:22:08 | More by pcurtain

tectactoe

Michigan

3.83/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours a dark brown and slightly copper-embossed color; murky and borderline swampy with a low-profile, khaki-beige head that settles to a ring fairly quickly. Looks like your typical BSDA, perhaps a little less lively than most but the color and body seems to be pretty much on par.

It reminds me of a dubbel on the nose - but then again, what's really the difference between a dubbel and a BSDA? Lots of Candi sugar with a little sprinkle of brown sugar as well. Dark fruits; plums, grapes, and maybe just a tiny bit of figs. Thick, Belgian yeast is apparent with it's seemingly spiced aroma and little hints of clove and rotten banana.

The yeast is the first thing that my palate pick up on when taking a sip. Bubblegum-like with a dash of clove and some other spice that tastes like something you'd sprinkle on a holiday pie. Candied fruits; mildly sweet and sugary with lots of carbonation that hits the tongue and all sides of the mouth immediately. Plums and raisins that have been soaked in a vat of tamed booze and rolled around in brown sugar. Though I may be overstating the sweetness just a bit, the flavors are there.

Hops are very faint but show a grassy character in the finish leaving your mouth with a hint of bitterness. Fusel alcohol character pops out - something that's not usually expected for a brew that's only 8% ABV, but Belgian strong ales often have a higher alcohol presence on the palate. The yeast goes from the clove-bubblegum style to a harsh dryness in the finish that almost adds a woody and slightly funky taste. Maybe not your typical "barnyard" flavors, but there's definitely some kind of funk in the finish. Medium bodied, creamy, with a good snap and crisp, dry finish with lots of carbonation.

Definitely a good BSDA, reminds me quite a bit of a dubbel, not sure what exactly sets this apart and perhaps I'll never know. Might be slightly overrated, but this is still pretty drinkable, although there are definitely a handful of readily available competitors I'd probably choose over this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 11:49:16 | More by tectactoe

Danno48

West Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Looks hazy brown in the glass and the head is a cream color. Nice head at that too very puffy. Smells like molasses and root beer. If I really think about it it has some wine characteristics the the smell as well.
It tastes sweet the whole way through. Sweet and winey with just great subtle notes of spice, dried berries, and slightly grapey. The thing is though it does not taste strong even though it is an 8%'er. Very smooth in the mouth. Velvety and bubbly.
Ridiculous beer guys and gals. A strong dark that is kind and generous.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 23:24:53 | More by Danno48

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.98/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a snifter...

A: Pours a translucent amber/light brown with one full finger of light khaki colored head. The foam settles fairly quickly, leaving a nice frothy layer of tiny bubbles around the top of the beer.

S: The nose is caramel, yeast, mild banana, and a mild floral component.

T: Sweet to start with a subtle bit of caramel malt. I get really mild banana and a touch of berries after the first sip. There is a bit of spice, but it's yeast forward. Nothing too overwhelming. This beer, all in all, is sweet from start to finish.

M: Medium bodied beer. There is a good amount of heft after the first sip. It's coating yet smooth. Sweet, fruity, and smooth. Not too coating, just right. I get no alcohol presence in this beer whatsoever.

O: Nice beer. It's a sweet Belgian ale with more malt than fruit. I like it, but I don't see myself buying this again. There are just way too many styles/beers that I like more than this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 18:38:35 | More by trxxpaxxs

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.48/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Maudite has a very thick, foamy, off-white head and a hazy, quite bubbly, amber appearance, with good lacing left on the glass. The aroma is of spicy, yeasty, fruity, coriander. Taste is of those elements, with sweetness, sugar, pepper, and a shade of alcohol. Mouthfeel is slimy and light to medium. Maudite finishes semi-dry, sweet, and drinkable. Overall, this is a most excellent beer, and I encourage everyone to try it.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 14:40:52 | More by RonaldTheriot

NilocRellim

Minnesota

3.2/5  rDev -23.8%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Poured from the botte.

Poured hazy and brown in colour with a cream-coloured head. Not much to the smell besides malt and yeast. The taste was much smoother than the smell led on, but nothing stands out. It has a sweetness to it that comes from the malt and you can detect some bits of spices, but none are distinguishable.

Would I buy it again? Probably not...

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 03:17:01 | More by NilocRellim

StJamesGate

New York

3.96/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Hazy chestnut with loose parchment head.
Perfume, chestnuts, a bit of wax and raspberry on the nose.
Apple butter on country grain loaf, some mashed pear, hints of vanilla and earthy ginger bread spice hops with some pepper towards the end.
Autumn leaf finish and toffee and cardamom linger.
Crisp, light to medium, fizzy, slightly clingy.

Sharp, attenuated straight ahead BSDA that develops butterscotch notes as it warms. Hits its marks with precision and cleans up after itself. Begs for food.

Maybe this is an amazing beer. Maybe everything suffers straight after Expedition. Maybe most people due to price or availability just don't get to taste quality BDSAs. Regardless, I don't get the fuss over this solid but not remarkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 00:24:17 | More by StJamesGate

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4.3/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This pours a murky, medium brown color with a fizzy, beige head. The aroma is very Belgian smelling with lots of yeast. The taste is smooth, slightly sweet with just the right amount of spice. Rather simple yet it’s not too bold or too weak. Probably one of the best Canadian craft breweries that’s mainstream in the U.S.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 03:13:35 | More by Lemke10

hbonner

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

In the Golidlocks and the Three Bears tale, this one is just right! Looks almost like an amber ale. Smells like a Belgian, smells sweeter than it tastes. Definitely taste the clove, banana, and malt. Not a strong alcohol feel, surprisingly crisp and clean finish. Not near as hoppy as other Unibroue offerings, such as Fin Du Monde.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 03:10:25 | More by hbonner

TheDoctor

Quebec (Canada)

3.48/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A:
Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Pours a really nice burnt butterscotch color with a nice thickish head that thins out with some light lacing.

S:
Smells nice, nothing too pungent. Some nice yeasty pear and citrus aromas.

T:
Tastes nice, balanced flavor on the whole. It borders on sweet for my taste but isn't overpowering. Super drinkable.

M:
Some kind of earthy aromas while drinking with a nice warm mouthfeel.

O:
I wasn't sure about this beer at first. I am curmudgeonly in my way and am not a fan of some of their other beers. However, I am surprised at this beer. Not so much for the beer itself but because I really enjoyed it. I would definitely buy it again. It packs a wallop, too. Would be really great for a cold winter's night.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 22:50:24 | More by TheDoctor