La Fin Du Monde - Unibroue

cretemixer

Indiana

4.08/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle. Pours a pale golden hue with a slight cloudiness(me like!) Dense creamy-white head which settles at about 1/4 inch. The carbonation won't let it get any less than that. Clean malty smell that reminds me of a fine Belgian. Spruce undertones. Alcohol warmth hits right away with a slight bitter bite. Smooth & creamy mouthfeel. Overall pretty impressive, but not my favorite Unibroue product.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2003 07:39:30 | More by cretemixer

Gusler

Arizona

4.15/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

One sip of a Unibroue beer several years ago started a continuous love affair with this brewery, and the whole line of their beers, “La Fin Du Monde” was that first beer, what a stroke of luck that was for this “Grizzled Old Beer Swiller”.

As it pours from the bottle, a slightly hazy lemon yellow, the head creamy in texture, the size masterful, the color a brilliant white, as it evanesces it leaves a silky sheet of fine lace to cover the glass. The aroma of finely malted grains dominates the nose, citrus crisp, lightly sweet and a pleasure to the senses. Start is ambrosial with lots of malt, the top middling in its feel with a spirited acidity, masterfully hopped, and a long drawn-out aftertaste that is dry. The 9% ABV, make this a real “Belly Warmer”, for these cold winter days and nights, a beer I love, and I always have a few bottles on hand as they age gracefully and I wish I could say the same for my own self.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2002 11:19:41 | More by Gusler

Wildman

Ohio

4.97/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer poured a golden straw color and formed a bubbly white head that left circular lace. A small amount of carbonation was present. It had an aroma of citrus, spice(?clove) and some yeast elements. The flavor was of spice and citrus with a warming feeling of the alcohol present. The finish was a touch astrigent

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2002 17:07:48 | More by Wildman

mickstepp

Ohio

4.3/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First of all I feel bad about pouring this beer into a pint glass (it's all I have). But I'm really excited about trying it. I'm not well versed in the Belgian art (but not quite a virgin either). It pours a very effervescent yellow (lots of bubbly action in the glass) with a thin head. There's an appealing sour-lemon aroma with a little yeastiness. At first sip I'm thinking boy am I drinking this beer at the wrong time of year. Very refreshing, very summery. Comparable to some of the best Hefe's I've had but without the banana/clove flavors. Moderate body, very nice texture. The tart and sweet flavors compete but keep each other in balance. Tart in the beginning, more sweet in the finish. Clearly an accomplished brew even f you're not an expert in the style. I'll have more. Maybe in Quebec.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2002 17:33:44 | More by mickstepp

MaineBeerMan

Maine

4.72/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer is a cloudy golden yellow, with a huge merangue like head of snow white foam that lasts a very long time and sticks like glue, leaving loads of lace.
Smells of fruit (pears or peaches?), light clove, earthy yeast and a bit of alcohol only begin to describe the complex aroma of this brew.
Awesome flavor, rather sweet and fruity, lots of complex spice flavors, clove and and a fruity flavor that I can't quite pin down that resembles the aroma. Very complex and tasty.
Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, even with the higher carbonation of this beer, long lingering finish of hops and fruit.
An outstanding beer, one of my favorite Belgian styles and not too pricey to boot.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2002 19:43:18 | More by MaineBeerMan

ElGuapo

New Jersey

4.55/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

you pour out a wonderful pale golden colored brew with a massive white foamy head that wants to jump right out of the glass. the aroma is of yeast and a lot of sweetness that tickles the nose.

you get a wonderful yeasty beer with some sweet fruitiness in there. alcohol is barely noticeable in the finish. i am glad that the alcohol was kept under control.

the carbonation tingles your tongue as the smooth brew slides right down smooth as silk, leaving your tongue warm and leaving you warm and fuzzy. this is truly an incredible beer. i love Unibroue

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2002 07:31:01 | More by ElGuapo

StevieW

Florida

4.72/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle. Shiny golden color. A swirl of the bottle will clould things a bit. Rich and foamy off-white head. Great citrus smell. Some yeast richness also sneaks by. Perfectly balanced belgian pale ale. Nice rich yeasty goodness, and sweet candied taste. Sweet plums, cherries and apples all come to mind. Slightly fizzy carbonation but it settles. Belly warming alcohol is present toward the finish. Mostly it just sneaks by and leaves you wondering how they made such a great beer. Not much I can, say that hasn't already been described.
A great beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2002 17:34:49 | More by StevieW

ADR

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Very opaque hazy gold, big and generous head that laces in thick sheets rather than delicate threads. Champagne-like aroma, a sense of yeast as well. Great mouthfeel and moderate carbonation., malts of candied plums and cherries, slightest sense of a pithy hop bittering at the end. Just a hint of a wheat quality and little woodsy sense. A lot of fresh qualities. La Fin du Monde? Nah, this is just a beginning, one that gives me a sense of being live in Belgium and sampling the Ales fresh. Maybe my favorite Unibroue so far, powerful but tasty and drinkable

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2002 09:39:38 | More by ADR

mjohn27603

Michigan

4.4/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle - best before 7-4-05. Filled the tulip glass with a big and light head. It is blonde in color. Aroma of coriander but very light not overly so. Taste is of lemon and spices with a high alcohol content present. Leaves a sticky coating on the tongue after finishing but is quite drinkable for a something with 9.0% ABV. Very fizzy carbonation leaves light feeling in mouth. Drinking at 9PM on a Sunday night, it is a good way to cap off the night and the weekend.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2002 18:39:29 | More by mjohn27603

CharlesRiver

Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy off yellow color with a small white head that didn't seem to last. The smell is fruity and a bit raw. Coriander, citrus and some other odd spices are what I taste in the beginning. The end is more like lemon and spices. A bit in your face at first but very smooth in the end. I am very impressed to say the least. Can this company produce a bad beer?

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2002 18:04:04 | More by CharlesRiver

HossMcGraw

Pennsylvania

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

It's difficult for me to describe this beer because the flavor is pretty much all over the place. A floral taste equally combined with a bold wheat flavor kicks things off, and from there, you're on your own to figure out what flavors you encounter. I sure as hell have a hard time. Ripe fruit with a subtle but noticeable malt flavor might do the trick. I hated this beer at first, but I grew to love the complexity and richness of it. If you're kind of a rookie beer taster like me, check out the Unibroue variety case. It's bomb. When I drink this stuff, it makes me want to shake my skinny white ass to some Kool & the Gang.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2002 16:57:55 | More by HossMcGraw

Kwak

New Jersey

4.78/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

"The End of the World"
Head: Nice thick foamy white with staying power.
Body: Cloudy almost thick yellow with a white pale texture.
Taste:Light creemy flavor with a hint of cloves and citrus almost a
"Wit" with a kick.

One execclent beer!

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2002 16:42:23 | More by Kwak

Lupe

New York

4.28/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a pale-straw color with tons of medium sized bubbles that float up to the huge, pure white, frothy head. Appearance is wonderful and does have nice rings of wispy lace and good head retention. Fruity, cider-like aroma with pepper and yeast. Medium bodied and very smooth on the palate. Starts with a sweet maltiness that makes way for clove and peppery flavors. Very complex, finishes slightly dry with some hop flavor. The alcohol is hidden very well, almost too well as after a few bottles of this tasty treat you won't be able to stand.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2002 11:28:14 | More by Lupe

Popsinc

Ontario (Canada)

4.47/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Even a very slow pour will reveal a huge, foamy white head sitting atop this cloudy/golden brew. The maltiness & alcohol are big up front. Earthy notes and a hint of spice give la fin du monde a complex and dry finish. A definite classic out of Quebec.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2002 08:41:11 | More by Popsinc

francisweizen

Australia

4.35/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

NOTES: I am still waiting to try this beer in a 750ml bottle.

Another great unibroue offering. This beer pours a nice pale golden colour which is very cloudy from the yeast that I let slide into my 'chalice' or weirdly shaped wine glass really...This has a nice head on it and it smelled wonderful. The taste was very dry and complex, yet pretty light for the alcohol content(but not lighter than don de dieu)This had a pretty warm mouthfeel and a nice drinkability level to it as well.
A nice beer, but take your time with it!...
A good nightcap beer!
Cheers!
-F

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2002 07:25:05 | More by francisweizen

zerk

California

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

La Fin Du Monde = The End of the World. The first time I tried this beer... it was a whole new beginning. What a wonderful beer... can't believe it took me this long to review it.... Cloudy brownish-gold with a lace that won't die. Aroma of cloves, must, alcohol, and malt. Flavor of fresh plums, bananas, cloves, and a lot of alcohol in the aftertaste. Wonderful, creamy medium body, with moderate carbonation. A favorite of mine for quite some time.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2002 17:41:39 | More by zerk

jtw5877

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a dark golden color with a puffy white head. Clove and a little banana flavours. Very complex with alot of changing flavors. Once again I am unable to verbalize what I taste in a beer. I need to go to Belgian Beer School.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2002 10:30:51 | More by jtw5877

mzwolinski

California

4.93/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is a very fine beer, and yet another reason why Unibroue should be regarded as one of North America's premeir breweries.

Light golden in color, hazy with a *lot* of carbonation. The head dissipated fairly quicky, but perhaps this was due to my glass rather than the beer.

Aroma is fruity, hints of banana and tropical fruit. Yeast is very unobtrusive.

The beer is terrifically balanced, with European hops, gentle corriander, and a peppery cloveish spiciness sitting atop a sweet light malty body. Medium bodied, though feels lighter due to high carbonation. Slightly dry finish. You'll feel the alcohol before you taste it.

Exceptionally well-done tripel.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2002 22:29:55 | More by mzwolinski

DerKaiser

California

4.97/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I feel like I simply can't heap enough praise on this beer to do it justice, so I won't try. Just go out and try one for yourself.

It's citrusy and slightly sweet with hints of clove and bubblegum. A little bit of yeast in there with a nice crisp finish. The high alcohol content really enhances this beer, taking the flavors up through the nose. Take your time drinking it, as it becomes almost an entirely different beer as it warms.

As a warning, this beer will cause "beer-inflation" among its fans. Those once content to imbibe in a $6 six-packs of Sam Adams, will find themselves shelling out $8.50 for four-packs on Unibroue products on a regular basis. It's that good.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2002 20:31:33 | More by DerKaiser

putnam

Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Tasted blind with bottles of Ommegang, Duinen Dubbel, Orval and Maudite.
Even, tight head with a glaze of pearlessence on top. The liquid is bright yellow-white with a hint of orange. The nose is of coriander (?!) dried orange (?!) green figs and cardamom. Heady but bright aromatics! On the palate it is liquified white plums and whipped cream. A kick of bitter minerality emerges on the finish to keep the generous floral, herb and fruit flavors in focus. The alcohol is noticable, especially at 1pm.

Tasted again on 10-27-2002:
Candied...Banana...Candy

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2002 10:07:37 | More by putnam

aaronh

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This must be the champagne of beers. Upon opening the bottle, the beer started to climb out the opening. I poured it into a nice thistle style glass and was amazed by the fantastic head that seemed to only fade slightly. The nice creamy head atop the beautiful pale ale is a sight to behold. The aroma was delicate with a hint of vanilla and citrus. While being high in alcohol, it was not evident at all. This brew is well worth finding. One of my all time favorites.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2002 10:48:03 | More by aaronh

MAB

Alberta (Canada)

4.8/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Probably my favorite "Belgian Style" beer, at least until I have a Maudite and wonder which is my real favorite.
It is a paler color than Maudite, and the flavor is spicy with citrusey/ clove accents. It usually has a nice head and I always get Belgian lace as it drains.
Please do as the suggestion on the bottle recommends and don't drink this from a straight sided glass. I've tried the same bottle in both types of glasses and it really is better in a closed top glass. Can't explain why- perhaps the alcohol and smells are trapped better giving you more taste through your nose.
Other than "10", which is similar in style but won't be around next year, I don't think, since it was made for their tenth anniversary, Fin de Monde ("the end of the world" for non-french speakers) is definitely worth stocking and savoring.

It also is supposed to age up to ten years in a corked bottle- see my review for Maudite, and what aging did for that!

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2002 12:05:54 | More by MAB

Murph

Arizona

4.63/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a beautiful hazy, golden color with a huge, creamy white head that sinks slowly and leaves an excellent lace on the glass. Definite orange peels, spices, and a slight tartness to the aroma. Big fruitiness up front with some nice oranges, peaches, grapes, and some slightly tart fruitiness as well. Nice spiciness as well with some pepper and coriander. The brew finishes with a burst of sweetness from the candy sugar and a slight warming sensation from the alcohol. A creamy carbonated feeling dominates the mouthfeel and helps to make this medium-light bodied beer extremely drinkable, especially for the amount of alcohol that is in it. Yet another great beer from Unibroue.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2002 23:17:35 | More by Murph

bewareOFpenguin

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer should be outlawed. It pours nice, leaves no sediment. No hint of the alcohol content in the first taste, last taste, or any taste in between. You can taste every ingrediate in it. It is crisp, light, and the best ale hands down. I found only one bar in town that serves it. I find myself there at least twice a week. Be warned! This is the crack of beers. All else will seem pale in comparison. They better have this in heaven.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2002 08:44:15 | More by bewareOFpenguin

doho95fu

California

4.3/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours well with a large head. The smell and taste are very complex and I found it very hard to pinpoint each flavor ( I thought I tasted citrus, some spice, ..) The beer is very drinkable for such a strong beer, I would not have guessed that it had 9%. I really enjoyed the layered flavors, it usually confuses and distracts me, but in this case it was great.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2002 08:02:01 | More by doho95fu