Maudite - Unibroue

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

gcamparone

Rhode Island

4.19/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Purchased in Wakefield, RI.

A- Pours a muddy brown, hazy body with a thick white head that reduces slowly and leaves some lacing.

S- Smells like a hefe, unripe bananas, wheat, and spices.

T- Wheat, cloves, banana with a toffee and chocolate on the aftertaste.

M- Smooth, medium body with low carbonation. Quite an easy drinker.

The bottle says that it's a red ale, but I agree that BA that this is more of a dark Belgian. Another great from an excellent brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 18:31:49 | More by gcamparone

JoeyD

Florida

2.75/5  rDev -34.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a tall beer glass. The Maudite left a thin off-white head.

A - Looks like a tasty brew should, it's a nice warm brown with slightly copper color when light shines through.

S - A bit metallic. I've never smelled a beer like this. I couldn't pick up on any other smell through that strong metallic tinge.

T - I had to sip this beer quite slowly to allow the flavor to come through. It's delicious if you have the patience to drink it slowly. Some toffee, subtly sweet with a good balance and complexity.

M - Quite disappointed here as the mouthfeel ruined the experience of the beer for me. It's closer to a champagne in mouthfeel than any other beer I've tasted. I am a fan of the Belgian style and thoroughly enjoyed Unibroue's Trois Pistoles, but Maudite has a much higher level of carbonation; so much so that it irritated my esophagus on the way down. A friend who was drinking with me had the same experience. He couldn't even finish the glass I poured for him to taste.

Overall, I'm glad to have tried it, but unfortunately it's just not for me. Based on all of the high ratings I thought it would be something special...and I'm sure it is. I couldn't see having more than one of these in a session. I'm definitely glad that I decided to pick up the single and give it a try before buying the four pack. Fortunately I have other Unibroue's that I can try before I have to pass them up entirely.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 03:30:21 | More by JoeyD

DougT

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Decanted into a Sam Adams glass, next time I'll get a proper glass. Screw top bottle dataed Best Before 01-24-14.

Appearance a dark, slightly ruddy, murky, red/brown. I left plenty of yeast in the bottle but there is still quite a bit of cloudiness. Put up a good couple finger tan head with lots of body and some lace. Reduced to a thin froth on the top.

Smells of yeast, spices and olives. Bread smell is strong when the heads up but gets more subtle as it dissipates. Then note is primarily green olives and spices.

Taste has more spice to it. Cinnamon and cloves, maybe some coriander. I keep coming back to green olives... Slightly sweet. No hop bitterness to speak of. A very flavorful beer. Not as sweet or as much dark fruit as some other Belgian strongs, but very good. Alcohol is nicely subdued.

Mouthfeel a low-medium body. Mostly hits the front and sides of the tongue. Nicely effervescent. Refreshing and drinkable.

Overall a good Belgian Strong ale, not too sweet with quite a bit of spice. It is very tasty, but this much spice reminds me to enjoy in small doses. 1 or 2 bottles would be my limit.

I would get it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 02:02:45 | More by DougT

Groomsy

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12 oz. bottle poured into a tulip glass.

A murky crimson body with hints of orange and brown is topped by a thick head of tight white bubbles that dwindle down. Spritzy carbonation is seen jetting from the bottom of the glass, but no real lacing is left behind, which is a disappointment. But overall, it's a very sexy looking beer.

I've never had a Belgian-style dark ale before, so this is my first of the style. On the nose, I'm immediately reminded of fruit, particularly green apples. There are some dark caramel notes in there as well, as well as some bready notes from the yeast, which has some of the same characteristics as a hefeweizen (or so my memory reminds me). There's maybe just a hint of some citrus character in there as well as well as some funky sourness.

The taste is full of the green apple notes as well as some dark fruit, spicy yeast, and some caramel to support it all. I don't perceive any real hop profile in this beer, but it works well for the flavor profile. This is a very complex beer for certain. As it warms, the flavors tend to meld together more. The sweetness tends to emerge more while putting some of the Belgian-style funk and sourness in the background. I'm still reminded of some hefeweizen flavors such as banana and clove - hopefully that's typical for this beer...

The mouthfeel and drinkability make this beer pretty dangerous. The zesty carbonation makes the beer refreshing and crisp, even at 8% ABV. The body is kind of heavy, but it's still pleasing to drink and leaves a dry finish, leaving you wanting to take another sip.

My first Belgian-esque experience has been interesting. I definitely seem some similarities between this and other beers I've had. It's an interesting beer, and while I can't say I would drink it regularly, it's certainly worth a try. Hopefully the rest of the 4-pack will grow on me. Even so, it is a very complex beer that forces you to think.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 01:35:21 | More by Groomsy

TheCockSmith69

Illinois

4.94/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

When I poured from the bottle a lt brown, Medium full bodied amber colored brew with a nice, generous white head with a silky smooth feel. Aromas of Belgian yeast centering on fruity citrus and resin and slight roasted malt. Highly recommended to those who appreciate a great tasting beer. Also has several Gold awards.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 18:05:25 | More by TheCockSmith69

HarryPotHead

Maryland

4.24/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

ST - poured from 12 oz brown bottle into Maudite tulip

A - amber red with some haziness and a 3 finger creamy off white head. The head died down quickly to a persistent ring around the perimeter of the glass. Lacing was minimal.

S - awesome! Sweet and yeasty..no hop presence and just a subtle hint of alcohol. The aroma this brew puts off is not very complex or daring but it is just right. I could breathe this in for hours!

T - chimay blue with an ever so slight hint of cinnamon that adds to the warming effect. I'm somewhat new to this style, but its starting to be one I cant ignore any longer. The similarities to Chimay's classic are very noticeable....wondering if all BSDA's taste this way? If they do then I am hooked!

M - carbonation is just right...not too much, not too little. Just enough to compliment the experience without taking away from it.

O - excellent! I had not heard of this beer, but came across their glassware in a second hand shop and started to keep an eye out for Unibroue products in the hopes I might stumble across this beer in my travels. Made a special 35 minute trip to my favorite "out of the way" beer store and they just began stocking so I had to try it out. I'll be back for more!!

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 00:02:27 | More by HarryPotHead

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.26/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25

Still plowing through the "Beers of Fame" list with aggressive fury!

Served in a Port City snifter/tulip?

A: Poured a very muddy, "Yoo-Hoo"-esque color with a bit more rouge mixed in to boot. The head was spritzy and only slightly off-white in color.

S: Man, I remember a time when I used to hate these Unibroue entries, but over the ages, I've grown to appreciate them and even grow fond of their funky yeast strain. About that yeast strain: Almost sour and with a tinge of rotten apple, pear, and orange. It teeters on the verge of being putrid, but it actually works. Along with an added cocoa component, the nose on this one embodies that.

T: Remarkably refreshing on the finish and it almost has more in common with champagne than beer. The funk of the yeast strain wasn't as prevalent on the taste as the nose, and neither was the chocolate.

M: Spritzy and remarkably chamapagne-like and this one deserves every stitch of its "5" rating I'm giving it in this category. Just enough bitterness to be dangerous, BARELY enough sweetness, and oh that delectable carbonation bill!

O: This one was even better than I remember it. Worthy of a very high recommendation!

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 03:58:46 | More by Chaney

DenverLogan

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Corked bottle...says best before 12/2014. Small pop of cork.
Light brown...big amber head.
Aroma of sweet malt, powdered sugar, pear, slight prune.
Strange mouthfeel...confused funky fruits and hidden carbonation.
Flavors of funky melon, minerals, light malts, honey dew melon rind, subtle note of white pepper and sage.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 16:22:23 | More by DenverLogan

takemetothelion

4.18/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Picked up a bottle while visiting New Brunswick. The government liquor store had a god awful craft beer selection with little to no Belgian styles not to mention awful canadian alcohol prices. For that reason I was inclined to focus my attention to the two unibroues, la fin du monde and maudite. The price was cheap because it was a domestic only $5 as opposed to $10ish back stateside for the pint and a half. So i raced home, poured her into a tulip and let the games begin.

A- light caramel brown, very cloudy with almost no light coming through, as if I were deep in an amber ocean looking up at the sun. A bubbly foamy head about 2.5 fingers thick immediately says hello. Although I was only able to get a few quick tastes of this moderate to highly carbonated hat before she vanished. No lacing on this one as I made my way to the bottom of the glass.

S- The nose was great. Obviously belgian yeast with spices, banana, and other fruits hitting a home run in your face. A bit tart which makes me suspicious and hopeful for a sour ale. We shall see.

T- The first taste makes me very happy with my decision. Though lacking that sourness I half expected a fruity, crisp, spicy fountain soaks my taste buds with pleasure. The alcohol is hidden fantastically and before I know it I've finished my first glass and had a smile on my face (8%). Citrus with spices and bread aftertaste. Beautiful.

MF: Full and carbonated. Not a huge fan of high carbonation but the taste really compliments the bubble. Good for sipping or drinking!

Overall: Slam dunk of a beer and will surely be buying again. Very true to the belgian style and though a quite unique undertaking of a brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 21:29:55 | More by takemetothelion

Morpheus

Alberta (Canada)

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

I poured the beer into a tulip glass, to receive a nice high degree of carbonation, but the foam dissipated much faster than expected.

Smell has a very high degree of yeast essence, with a background sour/tart, almost citrus note.

Taste to me was contradictory to the smell -- I expected much more sour flavor -- but there was a slightly bitter (hoppy) , almost sweet feel to the beer. Aftertaste was reminiscent of banana bread with chocolate chips, invoking pleasant memories of granny baking up a storm.

Mouthfeel is always hard for me to describe: No unpleasantness here.

Overall, another excellent brew from Quebec.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 04:36:20 | More by Morpheus

AlexFields

Tennessee

3.94/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours cloudy caramel color, beer looks lovely but the head is surprisingly thin for an Unibroue beer.

Smell is dominated by tons of yeast. Also spices, banana, a dry almost tart character.

Taste is also very yeasty, lots of nuts and spices as well. Subtle toffee and banana in the finish. Not particularly sweet but not as dry as the nose suggested.

Mouthfeel is great, creamy with high carbonation, almost as nice as La Fin du Monde. Super drinkable.

A really solid beer, very strong mouthfeel and tons of yeastiness as your expect from Unibroue.

8.1/10

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 03:20:23 | More by AlexFields

LampertLand

British Columbia (Canada)

4.39/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Unibroue's 'Maudite' @ 8.0% , a Belgian Strong Dark Ale served from a corked 750 ml bottle purchased for $6.25 ,

A-pour is a hazy amber with a small size but thick off white head that leaves some large spotty lacing along the goblet's edge

S-classic Belgian yeast and a ton of spice up front ,

T-fruits dominate at first , spicey yet balanced , not as much corriander as Trois Pistoles ,

MF-medium body , heavy carbonation , very easy to sipping/drinking beer , so smooth on the palate , another one that warms you as the contents dissappear

Ov-another great beer from Unibroue , the ideal beer to drink when you don't know what beer to drink , and my choice to keep 'one in the fridge and a couple in the cellar' , see if the beer is truly 'Cursed'

prost LampertLand

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 23:24:10 | More by LampertLand

Grohnke

Illinois

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

Bright, full bouquet of extraordinary aromas. It's floral and spicy. High fruity esters. Soft phenols. Sharp sweetness. Light alcohol.

Bready malt, light caramel sweetness. Incredible balance between phenols and esters (constant fight of spicy clove, banana and stone fruit). Background of floral and herbal elements. Light hop bitterness, perhaps some of the floral and earthy elements are a result of the hops or the added spices, but its difficult to judge. Alcohol is slightly detected, but the alcohol-spiciness plays well with the other spice components and its warmth is welcomed. All elements play harmoniously together. Complex is an understatement.

Medium body, with a high level of carbonation.

Incredible brew. Mouthfeel allows the beer to drink crisp and refreshing, enough to be enjoyed on a summers day, however its spicy and warming enough to be drunk on a cold winter's night. Flavors and aromas effortlessly intertwine. Mouthfeel, Balance, and Complexities make this beer truly amazing.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 14:35:57 | More by Grohnke

HATS4BATS

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Burnished, cloudy body. Topped with a dense, corniced carbonation that builds quickly and coats the glass. Fresh, inviting citrus nose notes of yeast and slight phenol. Taste of full malt, at times watery that mostly but not totally masks its ABV, growing into spiced, hopped aftertaste with trace of citrus.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 04:29:33 | More by HATS4BATS

ChapaTX

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

Appearance: Nice dark amber color, with a tan head that stayed around a good while. I poured this in a tulip shaped glass that approx. 22 oz.

Smell: Had a nice caramelly, slight hoppy smell. (anxious to try!)

Taste: As it smelled, had slight hoppy taste with a nice caramel sweetness to it (not very sweet however). For an 8% it was not "harsh" at all.

Mouthful: It had a little thickness to it which was not bad at all!

Overall: Very recommended. A little stronger taste for a red ale, but it's not overbearing

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 11:43:34 | More by ChapaTX

mick303

Ontario (Canada)

4.51/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter glass, created a heady top of foam, which has really great retention. Colour is a dark honey brown. Leaves plenty of lacing and film. Plenty of carbonation.

Smell has a pleasant yeastiness, nutty and slightly woody, also plenty of malt, with some dark (stewed) fruit. Shows some really interesting depth and balance. Develops nicely as it warms.

Taste is a full maltiness with plummy, earthy characteristics, a clay and mineral-like yeast hang on. Some initial sweetness before more subtle bitterness develops. Mild fruit, roast, and wood notes come to mind bound together with a solid yeasty body. This beer performs on the palate. nothing sticks out to much and it seems very well balanced. Finish is bitter with a dry fruitiness, some lingering mineral and yeast notes.

Mouthfeel is pretty much impeccable, plenty of soft carbonation that is creamy and refreshing. Body is moderate, drinks really nicely and alcohol is not present. Quite pleasing and drinkable. Warms on the way down.

Overall an exceptionally well made ale. Remarkable balance and subtle flavours give it a really nice complexity. Quite soft on the hops, this has very little alcohol present, refreshing and warming at the same time, its flavour is really nice, great complexity.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 22:17:46 | More by mick303

AxesandAnchors

Oregon

4.58/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A: Pours a rich copper red color. Has a vigorous head that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon. Cloudy, but that is to be expected given it bottle conditioned.

S: I'm getting some kind of spice, reminds me of Christmas. No surprise that Belgian yeast is pretty upfront. A hint of caramel, fruit cake, toffee, clove, raisins.

T: The spice that was so upfront in the nose takes a backseat to the fruit, caramel, and bread flavors. It's still very present just not as powerful as I would have expected from the smell. Finishes with quite a bit of clove. Lots of residual sugars. Just a touch of bitterness.

M: A great creamy texture with the perfect amount of carbonation. Nice crispness on the tongue in the beginning, and finishes semi dry. Feels sticky.

O: A nice fruity sweet and spicy Belgian. Not sure what else to say about this, it was executed flawlessly. This is my second Unibroue (La Fin Du Monde was the first) and I have to say I'm rather impressed so far. Would definitely drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 05:11:21 | More by AxesandAnchors

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.74/5  rDev -11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a slightly hazy deep golden brown with a decent off white head that dissipates to peach fuzz on the top. Smells of caramel, pepper, oranges, and pomme fruit with a bready earthy yeast aroma. The flavor is spicy with a sweet caramel malty backbone. Light sweet fruits mingle with earthy yeasty flavors. Medium body with a high level of carbonation and a sweet spicy bubbly mouthfeel. Nice brew. Probably not my favorite, but well made beer just the same.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 04:33:18 | More by johnnnniee

EkimGram

New York

4.66/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: 750mL bottle poured into a large snifter. Colour is a rich garnet-brown with a half-finger head that has a rosy hue. The head fades slowly to a thin, wispy film. Moderate amounts of lively visible carbonation.

Smell: Bold spicy yeast, sweet dark fruits, alcohol, and a hint of chocolate or brown sugar.

Taste: Strong spice flavour upfront, is followed by a taming fruity yeast character. A little musty. Finishes warm and modestly sweet.

Mouthfeel: Full body has a nice delicate texture livened up by a popping carbonation presence. Finishes clean and almost dry.

Overall: Fantastic. The progression of flavours is impressive enough to make me want to drink this regularly.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 03:16:45 | More by EkimGram

Braz

Washington

3.69/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark mahogany color that is very opague and cloudy, like puddle water. An active cream head, thought this beer was going to foam right over my glass as soon as I started pouring. Head dissipates rather quickly leaving very light lacing. Aromatics are savory, also caramel, malt, a subtle leather like smell, raisin, pear and definate alcohol. Taste is quite alcoholic as well which is fine. Very dry, with a cereal flake like flavor. Mostly tart, wouldn't call it sweet and it's certainly not bitter. Body is very gassy and has a high foam volume. Velvety texture and the alcohol is very warming.
This isn't quite as good as I'd hoped. It's not terrible but it's missing something, more pronounced flavor perhaps. Not alot of complexity. I find Trois Pistoles to be superior to this offering from Unibroue.
This sort of tastes and looks like the yeast sediment got disturbed somehow. It had been in fridge for a few days, went to the countertop to warm a little and then into glass. Not sure if somethng could've happened.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 14:02:51 | More by Braz

KFBR392

Illinois

4.56/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Thick creamy lacing for days! Beautiful dark color. Poured into a tall belgian style glass which is shown on the back of the bottle. I think I could just look at and play with this glass of beer and be satisfied.

Smell: Spicy, but in the best way possible. Exotic fruits and the yeast play their role in the aroma as well. But the spices are what really come through.

Taste: Wow, theres a lot going on here. Dark fruits, spices, and the yeast presence mix well for a truly masterful combination. This beer is scary drinkable at 8% abv, cannot taste an ounce of it. Hard to put this one down.

Mouthfeel: Creamy layers coat the palette. You'd think the spices would stick around but the yeast is what sticks around for the drinker to enjoy.

Overall: So, this beer is amazing. There is nothing not elite about this one. Unibroue is one of my favorite brewery's in the world for their consistent quality products. Maudite is probably their best beer. These canadians know what they are doing.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 03:18:29 | More by KFBR392