Unibroue 17 Grande Réserve - Unibroue

Hopinista

Nevada

4.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

750 ml bottle #15853 2012 vintage poured into delirium snifter.

A: Pours a distinct dark brown color, almost the color of maple syrup. Looks quadruple-esque with a nice fluffy cream colored head.

S: Musty spice and brown sugar upfront. Some banana, caramel, and dark fruit come through. The oak adds a nice back, this smell reminds me of bananas foster.

T: Very complex. Right up front I get a vanilla malt flavor. Some dark fruits, figs and dates are in the middle, and then the oak finishes in a big way. The aftertaste is very reminiscent of taking a sip of spiced rum. Extremely delicious, and the rum character only gets stronger as the beer warms.

M: Very medium and light on the palate, especially considering the amount of carbonation going on. Very easy to drink, which is kind of dangerous for a beer at 10% abv

O: I've always loved Unibroue, and this just cemented itself as my new favorite beer. I picked this up as a whim while on vacation, and now have 2 in my cellar. I'm going to try one in a year, and then the other on the "best by date," in four years. I definitely reccomend picking this up whenever you can.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 07:03:58 | More by Hopinista

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.71/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

750ml corked and caged bottle shared with NewBrewBB (thanks Brett). Served in a taster. Pours a deep, brownish amber with a loose, cream-colored head that dissipates into a swirl across the center and a tight band around the edges. Nose expresses dark fruit, toasted notes, and a hint of buttery oakiness. Taste follows nose; however, the flavors are really masked by the carbonation. Mouthfeel is light-medium in body with an extremely gassy/prickly carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, a decent beer - typical Unibroue quality; however, the extreme carbonation kills it a bit.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 22:51:52 | More by Jwale73

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This bottle is a 2011 Vintage.

A - Pours a deep garnet amber color with a billowy head and really nice lacing retention when the glass is swirled.

S - Oak, some musty dankness, vanilla, figs, prunes, dried dark fruit, light toasted brown sugar and caramel, all the ingredients play very well together and makes for a satisfying experience for the nose. Not strong or overpowering, just eloquent and satisfying.

T - Oak and vanilla surface immediately from the beginning while the vanilla eventually fades the oak stays for the duration, dark fruit, prunes, and figs. Finishes with subtle oak and lingering spicy bitterness.

M - Medium body, gentle and velvety carbonation on the tongue.

O - Superbly done and ranks as one of the top Belgian Dark Ales I've experienced so far. Seek this one out, buy extras, enjoy one now and cellar the others. This 2011 bottle is stamped with a "Best By" of 12-12-16. Would love to have a bottle to try each year as it moves closer to that Best By date.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 22:02:56 | More by jzeilinger

dgilks

Australia

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

A dark murky brown with a creamy, light tan head. Good head retention and lacing.

Lightly woody and fruity. Nice, sugary malt notes. The vanillin from the wood complements the fruit character well.

Malty with a good dark fruit note. The oak is really well integrated. Quite good.

Medium body with moderately high carbonation. Solid.

A really nice beer. Good combination of Belgian and oak. Well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 22:19:38 | More by dgilks

Bucciamarcia

Florida

4.49/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

One of the best beers I've ever tried.

After pouring the beer leaves a thin white head that disappears quickly. It look is cloudy and dark brown with amber traces.

The smell is incredibly strong, just like the taste. The complexity of this beer is exceptional, the spices and european yeasts last very long. Very high carbonation and medium body. The beer is overall bitter, but with some fruity notes. It's 10% ABV, but you can't really taste it.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 01:03:28 | More by Bucciamarcia

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

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

750ml bottle into a snifter

A: Pours a fairly dark amber color with three fingers of off white form. Decent retention, good lacing.

S: Spicy oak is quite strong in this beer - very perfumey. I also get some prunes and orange peel. Though the French oak compliments the aroma, it's a bit too strong.

T: Spicy oak is again quite strong with plums and prunes to help sweeten a beer that stays pretty dry for the style. Orange bitters works well with the oak to help balance the sweet dark fruits.

M: On the thin side with fairly high carbonation, but it goes well with the beer.

O: I really enjoy this beer, but the oak is a bit too strong. The flavors meld well together, but this beer would be great with toned down French oak.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 01:32:22 | More by coreyfmcdonald

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance. Pours a deep and hazy amber-brown with a finger of off-white head.

Smell. Brown sugar, cloves, orchard fruits, a little bit of peppery spices, caramel, and even a bit of banana and maybe a trace of smoke.

Taste. Brown sugar, caramel and spice, fruits both dark and light, raisins, pepper and just a little woody vanilla. Wow, this is pretty nice.

Mouthfeel. Medium+ body with medium-full, fairly smooth carbonation.

Overall. A very nice, very high quality Belgian style beer. I enjoyed it more than I expected.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 02:24:28 | More by Rutager

Lucho

Florida

4.29/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: pours dark amber with a once inch beautiful white foamy head and excellent lacing

Smell: Apples! Green grapes, light oak, very little dark fruits like mission figs and others. Awesome nose that hits you with sparkling apple cider that has been held in oak.

Taste: Wow! This is awesome! Green grapes and apples with some maltyness, with some oak but does not overpower the fruits. There is not much alcohol flavor as this beer is at 10%. easy drinking as it begs you to take another sip. lets see how it open up towards the end of the bottle. I'll come back to this. It did not change too much as it warmed up.

Mouthfeel: Very well balanced with a medium to slightly thick body with perfect carbonation that bounces of the tongue.

Overall: This is a killer beer that has aged very well. I had this when it was released and wow has it mellowed out and fallen into place. Cant wait to revisit in another year. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 06:07:38 | More by Lucho

LampertLand

British Columbia (Canada)

4.11/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Unibroue's 'Grand Reserve17' @ 10.0% , 2011 vintage served from a corked 750 ml bottle purchased for $12

A-pour is a clear golden amber with a small off white head leaving a minimal lace ring along the goblet

S-another Unibroue take on classic Belgian yeast , this version is very pleasant , mild and subdued compared to say Trois Pistoles

T-so smooth tasting on the palate

MF-lots of carbonation , full bodied , very big beer , a true sip and enjoy as the beer warms

Ov-good beer , big good beer , not Unibroue's best but a damn good beer , I will buy the 2012 vintage for the cellar

sampled alongside Trappistes Rochefort 8 , Gigantic's 'The End of Reason'
and Lighthouse 'Belgian Black12' & '13'

prost LampertLand

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 05:22:41 | More by LampertLand

superspak

Michigan

4.48/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle into signature tulip glass, bottled on 12/12/2011. Pours very hazy dark reddish brown color with a nice 2 finger dense and fluffy light khaki head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Nice thick soapy lacing clings on the glass, with plenty of carbonation streaming up retaining the head. Aromas of big raisin, prune, fig, apple, pear, molasses, brown sugar, toast, toffee, caramel, herbal, banana, pepper, clove, cinnamon, and yeast earthiness. Fantastic aromas with big complexity and great balance of malt and fruity esters. Taste of big raisin, prune, fig, molasses, brown sugar, toffee, toast, herbal, banana, pepper, clove, cinnamon, light oak, and yeast earthiness. Lingering notes of dark fruits, molasses, brown sugar, caramel, toast, toffee, herbal, banana, pepper, clove, cinnamon, oak, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a while. Fantastic balance and complexity of dark malt, spice, and fruity esters; with zero cloying sweetness present after the finish. Medium-high carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a creamy, slick, earthy, and lightly prickly mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is extremely well hidden with only a slight warming noticed well after the finish. Overall this is an incredible Belgian strong dark ale! Big complexity and balance of malt and fruity esters; and dangerously smooth to sip on. An absolutely top notch offering all around.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 05:15:06 | More by superspak

ngeunit1

California

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

A - Dark copper-brown with a finger of frothy tan-khaki head. Fades fairly slow.

S - Dark caramel malts, raisin and other dark fruits, Belgian yeast, pepper, cloves, and other spices, oak, vanilla, some booze.

T - Sweet dark caramel malts, raisin, fig, and other dark fruits, Belgian yeast, clove, pepper, and other spices, oak, vanilla, a touch of sourness and candi sugars, and some booze.

M - Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth with a sweet and warming finish.

D - Great BSDA. Great balance and the oak is a nice touch.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 06:02:15 | More by ngeunit1

DenverLogan

Colorado

3.59/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

From corked bottle into Gulden Draak large tulip glass. Purchased locally. #2011-167955
Modest cork pop...pours with a giant head...muddy brown copper color.
Rich aromas of oak, tropical fruit, Italian herbs...
Modest carbonation and strong mouthfeel.
Flavors of tropical fruit, roasted malts, dark chocolate, minerals, cardboard, bubble gum...I'd better let this open up for a few minutes...
OK...many minutes later...small head...aroma of funky fruit and toasty malts. Flavors are rich and unique...powder sugar meets tropical fruit with sweet malts. There's also an uncomfortable bitterness, something slightly burning, perhaps some oxidation (might have tasted great at the brewery!), perhaps the French oak...not smooth, not easy drinking. This particular bottle is perhaps rougher than the 100+ Unibroue bottles I've ever tried...humm.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 04:44:06 | More by DenverLogan

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.94/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a two-finger cream head that fades slowly leaving some lace. Hazy brown color. Light carbonation and medium bodied. Dark fruit nose and flavor is semi-sweet dark fruit and oak. Some yeastiness in finish. High ABV is hidden. Good dark ale but Unibroue's Trois Pistoles is better and cheaper. $11.99 for a caged and corked 750ml bottle from The Meat House Pembroke, NH.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 23:41:51 | More by jdhilt

hardy008

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a cloudy brown color with a 2 finger light tan head, with good retention and nice lacing. The aroma has pears, figs, spices, brown sugar, yeast, and oak.

Tastes much the same as it smells with pears, figs, apples, brown sugar, spices, yeast, pepper, and oak. Has a mildly sweet flavor, and some of the sweetness is balanced out by the pepper. The flavor profile of this beer is very nice. As usual, Unibroue does not disappoint.

Medium bodied with mild carbonation. Smooth, and easy to drink. The alcohol is well hidden for 10.00 % abv. This is another well made beer by Unibroue.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 03:21:46 | More by hardy008

takemetothelion

4.75/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Tried on a whim on a trip to Bootleggers, though a huge fan of the Unibroue series. Pretty pricey at $12 but quality over quanity. poured into tulip glass.

A- Midnight with some amber red. Huge head and a little lacing on this moderately carbonated with this black beauty.

S- Fruit and belgian yeast. Quite complex nose with cinnamon and clove. Reminds me of a holiday time. With a easy alcohol presence. It just looks thick and delicious.

T- Best beer I've ever had. This is my ideal strong dark ale. Milk chocolate and an array of fruits are sweet and intense in this adventure of a drink. Raisins and spice come through hard and every sip is more enjoyable than the last.

MF- The carbonation plays perfectly here and the thickness of the dark ale is epic. leaves no bad aftertaste whatsoever.

Overall, a true champion that other beers could learn a thing or two from. Thank you Unibroue

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 02:55:10 | More by takemetothelion

oline73

Maryland

4.19/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from the bottle into a Chimay goblet.

The beer pours a murky mahogany color with a finger of fluffy off white head. The head sticks around nicely. The small and taste are both super oaky. It's like drinking a dark Belgian ale in a workshop. There are some sweet sugar and dark fruit undertones in the smell. The flavor is more balanced, but still dominated by the oak. There is a nice dark fruit component and just a slight sweetness. There is a mild Belgian spice in the finish. The abv is not at all apparent. The mouthfeel is a bit on the thin side and the carbonation is quite smooth. The finish isn't as dry as I would expect given the oak level.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 05:00:16 | More by oline73

Zorro

California

4.23/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Chill hazed brown ale with a small tan colored head.

Smells sweet and spicy with a scent of coriander and ginger with some brown sugar. Molasses and some cardamom.

Starts out sweet and fruity with an apple butter preserves flavor. Apple, cinnamon, ginger and some clove in the flavor. Slight whiskey flavor and faint vanilla taste.

Mouthfeel is full.

Tasty beer, I was actually expecting a Strong Pale Ale. Solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 00:18:34 | More by Zorro

hungarianwax

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

A: Frothy head. Cloudy golden brown.

S: Banana, oak, cream. Light but pleasant smell.

T: Banana and hops up front, creamy malt finishes up. Hints of oak, vanilla and spice. Alcohol taste is well-hidden.

M: Lacy, medium carbonation. Slightly thick.

Overall 4.5
In style 4.75

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 21:19:38 | More by hungarianwax

BGDrock

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2011 brew date, aged 1 year

Appearance: muddy, root beer brown; beige head fades swiftly to just a rim

Aroma: apple juice, white grape; fruity esters dominate; candy sweet; light overall

Taste & Mouthfeel: big apple cider flavour with some great yeast spice notes that are a perfect match - feels like a fall beer; medium body, clean texture, alcohol very well hidden; dates; sweetness builds, getting more sugary, although with a bit of tartness at the finish and a some alcohol vapours which actually benefit the overall experience; a hint of oak is verified when I check the label; some smooth pulpy feel, again reminiscent of fresh pressed cider

Overall: a fantastic yeasty beer, just the way a belgian ale should be, although wouldn't have minded a bit more variety in the fruit flavours

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 16:21:11 | More by BGDrock

brentk56

North Carolina

4.23/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: A beautiful pour, with a three-fingered ecru head; the auburn liquid is just a shade too dark to see through but the head leaves a curtain of lace

Smell: Caramel malt, dried fruit (dates and figs), brown sugar, apple, oak and spice cake flavors

Taste: Up front, the caramel, dried fruit and spice cake flavors blend nicely with a slightly vinous character adding complexity, in the middle; the finish displays some tart flavors, though the sweet tones that dominated the aroma and presented themselves, up front, linger underneath

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate to high carbonation

Overall: A nice take on the BSDA style by Unibroue; the tartness in the middle is an intriguing twist

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 21:04:51 | More by brentk56

KFBR392

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Such a beautiful thick lacing on the glass I wanted to lick it off. Its that weird? Whatever. Looks exactly like what a strong dark belgian should look like

Smell: Yeast with some exotic spices. The dark fruits play a role but not as much as I would have expected.

Taste: Awesomeness. Dark fruits take over here with some spicy undertones. The flavors are not overpowering, they mix together and really make you enjoy them. Brilliantly dance off of one another which really makes you wonder if you are still drinking a dark belgian. Simply wonderful.

Mouthfeel: OHH baby, so smooth its almost crazy. It was hard to put this one down because it was so creamy and delicious. The yeast sticks in your mouth along with all the other flavors presented in this beer.

Overall: I think Unibroue is one of the truly elite breweries in the world. Their products consistently bring top notch quality. This Anniversary Ale is a true delight and worth a buy.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 06:38:55 | More by KFBR392

IvoryFoxhole

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Purchased in 2011, aged for a little over a year. Open opening champagne-style cork, foam overflowed out of bottle. Inauspicious start. Poured into tulip glass.

A) Big head, about 4 fingers, with very good retention. After 15 minutes, it reduces to a small cap and rings with very little lacing. More amber than brown. Quite a bit of carbonation.

S) Wonderful. Sweet malts, candied fruits, cinnamon & nutmeg, A little bit of yeast, but not much. Expected wood, not getting any - could be from aging.

T) Sweet malt, some spice. Not very yeasty. Very well-balanced, almost to the point where some of the individual flavors present in the nose don't seem to come through in taste.

M) Full-bodied, builds to a bit of alcohol heat that could be better balanced, but not too bad. Very carbonated, which is normal for Unibroue but definitely deducts from experience.

Definitely a major-league beer; wish I had tried the 2011 without aging for comparison. For me, melding and mellowing of flavors plus carbonation cuts score a bit, but this is very, very good.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 20:06:54 | More by IvoryFoxhole

chanokokoro

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a Unibroue branded short-stemmed tulip glass

Pours a deep, dark murky amber capped with a light beige two finger fluffy, sea-foam like head which reduces to a light foam cover. A lot oak, dark fruit notes, Belgian yeast, and a whiff of alcohol on the nose. Constant mild toasted oak accents throughout. Dates, figs, mild spice perhaps some clove, brown sugar maltiness, bold yeasty esters. Finishes bone dry with candi sugar and oak. Lively carbonation, fairly full-bodied smooth, and finishes with some silkiness. An excellent brew. Some may be turned off by the upfront oak presence, but I really think it worked well here. Tasty stuff, without a doubt.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 05:25:33 | More by chanokokoro

MrHurmateeowish

New Hampshire

4.89/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

750ml bottle purchased at Tully's in Wells, ME. Pours a murky nearly opaque dark brown with a good inch of khaki-colored head. Ripe banana, raisin, date, pear, and toffee comprise the aroma. Ripe banana, pear, spice, raisin, and toffee all fairly equally make the flavor. Medium bodied with ample carbonation. Excellent. A little on the sweet side, but I really cannot find a true flaw with this one. Superb.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 00:34:57 | More by MrHurmateeowish

rappmann

Ontario (Canada)

4.58/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a tulip, reviewed from notes. Aged just under a year

A - Dark copper brown one finger of thick belgian yeast style head, heavy lacing once the head finally begin fading.

S - Yeasty spicy Unibroue-esque scent. But this time it's richer, fuller, mustier.

T - Perfectly sweet and malty, the wood has mostly worn off, but still has enough of a presence to be noticeable, finish's spicy from the yeast.

M - To me this is the only downside of the brew, I find a lot of Unibroue's beers to be over carbonated, and a lot of the times it works, but it doesn't help a beer like this.

O - a great offering from Unibroue as usual, however, I prefer this one fresh.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 04:34:56 | More by rappmann