Unibroue 17 Grande Réserve - Unibroue

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BA SCORE
94
outstanding
-
458 Ratings

rAvg: 4.24
pDev: 11.32%
Reviews: 154
Hads: 304

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Brewed by:
Unibroue

Quebec, Canada

Style | ABV
Belgian Strong Dark Ale | 10.00% ABV

Availability: Winter. bottle (154).

Notes:
This French oak aged, bottle refermented dark ale has a remarkable and complex flavor profile. Its Grande Réserve appellation is a fitting endorsement of its exceptional aging qualities.

View: Beers (33) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by PorterLambic:

PorterLambic

Florida

4.93/5 rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

No. 2011-140891 Bottled 2011

Pours a rich and cloudy brown the color of old leather. A huge head develops before receding to a solid finger width of tan. Some lacing left behind.
Smell is intoxicating (no pun intended) with notes of green apple, malt, oak, raisins and a mild sourness all while the glass sits two feet away! Gotta love a ceiling fan. Upon closer nasal ingestion, more dark fruits are found (cherries and figs, I think), the apple is red and green, spices (clove, nutmeg, light cinnamon and pepper). The complexity is amazing and the balance is world class.
Taste is malt, sour, oak, well incorporated alcohol, spice, dark fruits, apples in what has to be one of the most well-rounded beers it has ever been my pleasure to taste.
Full bodied, smooth, rich, almost creamy texture. This slides across the tongue like it knows the way. The only knock is the fairly thick coating that forms on the upper palate and tongue. Lightly effervescent and then mostly at the tip of the tongue. A malt/clove/oak mixture lingers for a good long time to remind you just how lucky you are to drink this alchemical masterpiece. Thank you, Unibroue.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 00:00:49 | More by PorterLambic

More User Reviews:

wilkowski

Maryland

2.75/5 rDev -35.1%

06-15-2013 03:43:33 | More by wilkowski

jnolan

New Jersey

4.25/5 rDev +0.2%

06-15-2013 01:34:57 | More by jnolan

jmkoscie

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5 rDev -17.5%

06-13-2013 01:25:43 | More by jmkoscie

DoomVM

Georgia

4.5/5 rDev +6.1%

06-09-2013 06:50:40 | More by DoomVM

bigd84

Massachusetts

3.75/5 rDev -11.6%

06-09-2013 00:07:04 | More by bigd84

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

4.25/5 rDev +0.2%

06-08-2013 14:34:59 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

DeutschesBier

Maryland

4.25/5 rDev +0.2%

06-07-2013 15:04:22 | More by DeutschesBier

CadetGCBD

Florida

4.25/5 rDev +0.2%

06-07-2013 02:30:31 | More by CadetGCBD

azdiaz

California

4.5/5 rDev +6.1%

06-06-2013 23:58:05 | More by azdiaz

Ivanhoes_Backpack

New Brunswick (Canada)

3.98/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

2011 Vintage finally available at anbl. Yes! Poured into an Orval tulip. Who cares.

A - pours a light brown, dark caramel colour. Little carbonation, little lace around the edges.

S - boozy, musty red wine, dark fruits, dates, very sour smelling.

T - sweet and sour candy, booze, more winey dark fruits. Tastes linger and are complex but I can't put my tongue on distinct flavours too well. Classic Unibroue belgian taste.

M - fizzy yet smooth, love the warming alcohol as it goes down.

Overall, not the greatest BSDA I've ever had, but I do enjoy the balance of sweet and sour. I'd probably take a Chimay Blue over it, but considering I can't get that in NB, this is a great alternative (though it is $13 a bottle, compared to Unibroue's other $5.88 bottles,

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2013 00:39:48 | More by Ivanhoes_Backpack

hifirestone

Illinois

4.75/5 rDev +12%

06-04-2013 12:39:22 | More by hifirestone

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

4.25/5 rDev +0.2%

06-04-2013 12:11:30 | More by xnicknj

MightiestBeard

Florida

4.25/5 rDev +0.2%

06-03-2013 23:22:50 | More by MightiestBeard

bnes09

Illinois

4.15/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Plum colored ale with ruby hues throughout. Thick, lustrous, cream colored head on the pour with exceptional retention. Seems to permanently blanket the glass in froth.

Sweet and spicy aroma. Maple and numerous dark fruit aromas. Nutmeg, clove and black pepper.

Dense malt character suggesting biscuits covered in plum jam. Maple syrup sweetness compliments fig and date character. Spices are there as listed in the aroma with a tad more nutmeg and hint of pepper. Yeast has a musty, clove-like character and is a nice contrast to the malt. Well balanced. No alcohol detectable.

Sturdy full bodied ale. Well carbonated for its strength. Smooth throughout with a syrupy texture in the finish which allows the spices to linger on the tongue.

Solid brew. Complex flavors and aroma, not to mention beautiful to look at. Another classic from Unibroue.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2013 02:19:31 | More by bnes09

Moss

Florida

4.84/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

2011 Bottle Date

A - An amber color with a light tan colored head. About 3 fingers of head with slow dissipation and good lacing left down the glass.

S - Smells of vanilla and banana from the belgain yeast. Has a sweet smell to it along with some caramel and oak backing.

T - Taste of vanilla and oak. Some sweet taste along with a plum and pear taste. Alcohol is in the background and adds a warming feeling but nothing overly strong.

M - Medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation but not overwhelming. Typical for the style of beer.

O - Will be saving another 2011 dated bottle for future years. A good Belgian Strong Dark Ale with no overwhelming fruit taste that some others have. Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 21:13:38 | More by Moss