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 sukwonee:

sukwonee

Washington

4.5/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2011 vintage bottle, aged for one year.

A: Reddish dark brown with 3-4 finger head. Lots and lots of lacing everywhere.

S: Oak, some funk(?), brown sugar, some spice, caramel - complex.

T: Awesome. It's great. I can really taste oak, wine, caramel malt, spices. This bottle has that unique flavor present in most Unibroue beers, but way more complex. I would say this beer is caramel malt forward with the oak barrel, wine, and vanilla hitting in the middle, followed by some cola like flavor (and some candy-like sweetness), and finishes off with more wine and spices. I also tastes some apple and dark fruits as well. Alcohol is not detected much.

M: Smoooth and creamy. Thick but not syrupy.

O: Awesome brew. French oak aging must have added extra layers of complexities in the nose and taste. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 02:37:26 | More by sukwonee

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