Maudite - Unibroue

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

CurtFromHershey

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Pours a rusty brown with a brief fizzy head.

Smell is of alcohol esters, sweet raisins, and something somewhat sour

Sweet but not cloying. Subtle dark fruits. No pronounced banana flavors. Very nice.

Mouthfeel is slick, thin, and soda-like. Lacking in the thick lush feel of a good BSDA

overall enjoyable to drink, but it leaves me wishing for something more. Like with other unibroue beers, the carbonation is a crapshoot

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 23:46:38 | More by CurtFromHershey

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

Texas

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