Unibroue 17 Grande Réserve - Unibroue

bump8628

Oklahoma

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

One of the better Belgian-inspired beers I've come across in quite some time. Vanilla, cola, caramel, and sugar are balanced against toasted oak, cinnamon, and clove. Earthy bitterness is mild but is supportive enough to hold up against the maltiness. Rich but not sweet. Strong but balanced. Alcohol is completely hidden. This is a seriously complex and dangerous ale. Completely worth the $12 for 750mL of beautiful beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 21:10:30 | More by bump8628

beerdrifter

Germany

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

Picked this up during a trade with misterb303 while in Denver! Bottle #2011-118242. Cloudy mahogany pour with a creamy two finger head with decent retention and great lacing. Wonderful woody, spicy, complex nose. Lots of oak along with hints of dark fruit, toffee, caramel, vanilla, and just a touch of banana. The taste is just as big and just as complex. The oak is once again the star, with hints of nuts, raisins, black cherries, figs, tobacco, maple, vanilla, and brown sugar, with just a bit of cocoa, cinnamon, and booze. The mouthfeel starts off with moderate carbonation, but as it comes to temp, it becomes slightly chewy with a great subtle alcohol warming. Don't drink this too cold. This beer definitely lives up to the hype and I'd love to get my hands on another and leave it in the cellar for a while.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 16:34:20 | More by beerdrifter

GilGarp

Colorado

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

2011 vintage. No. 2011-117741.

Served at slightly cooler than cellar temp into a goblet.

Grande Reserve is a beautiful red amber color with less than perfect clarity. The head is thick at first but settles to just a thin layer. No lacing is left behind.

Aroma is sweet, oaky, and complex. It has dark fruits and spice notes with vanilla elements from the oak aging.

Flavor is intense and complex as well. Cherries and plums mix with pepper and clove. Oak seems to bring vanilla, tannins, and a red wine character as well.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and strongly carbonated. Alcohol is certainly there but it doesn't seem all that strong for such a young beer.

Overall another fantastic offering from Unibroue. I wouldn't expect anything less from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 01:34:47 | More by GilGarp

4balance

Oklahoma

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

No. 2011-101432 (best before 12-12-2016)

750ml bottle poured into an Ommegang glass. Dark cloudy amber color with 2" tan foamy head with nice lacing.

Distinctive Belgian yeast along with musty wood, spices, dark fruit and alcohol. Reminds me of a wet forest to some degree.

Tastes like the inside of a wet musty oak barrel, belgian yeast prevails with tons of spices, clove, cinnamon, cracked pepper, touch of salt, dried dark fruits; fig, dates, raisins, slight amount of chocolate in the background, roasted malts and alcohol. Plethora of flavor.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a little bit of creaminess, nicely carbonated with slight alcohol burn, flavors linger quite a while.

Overall I am really glad I tried this one, mighty tasty. Unibroue never disappoints, if you haven't tried this I would highly recommend it. Would like to see how this one ages.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 01:10:07 | More by 4balance

jar2574

Missouri

4.7/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a tulip glass. Nice thick head over cloudy brown beer. Smell is delicious yeast and spices and molasses.

Taste is absolutely phenomenal both out of the fridge and later as it gets closer to room temperature. Sweet spiced malts upfront, maybe a hint of citrus hops to balance it out. A little bit of Belgian yeastiness. Brown sugar and plums. Flavor profile is a little bit like a good rum. A dry, quick finish.

Excellent mouthfeel. Above average thickness and carbonation but it's lighter and easier to drink than you'd think. You could drink it quickly despite the 10 ABV, or you could sip it slow and steady. I could drink this all day and night and will be on the lookout for more of it.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 19:28:11 | More by jar2574

teromous

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Murky brown color, looking similar to sweet tea. The head is very large and stands for a long time, which is frothy, and is a light tan color.

S: Not much on the nose, but I do get a soda-like carbonation tickle from smelling it. There is a very faint oak smell, and is vaguely similar to a bourbon smell. Overall the smell is very faint though.

T: It has that "high alcohol Belgian Beer" flavor, but without any actual taste coming from alcohol. It's hard to explain, but if you drink high ABV Belgians, you'll know what I mean. It has a slightly fruity flavor to it, kind of like plums. There is a light oak flavor. I also pick up a cinnamon flavor.

M: There is light astringency and dryness, but nothing unpleasant. The mouthfeel is medium, but has an airy quality to it after drinking it.

O: Overall it is a very good beer, and it does taste more balanced than other Unibroue beers. I would drink it again, but it's not so fantastic that I would choose it over any other Belgian Dark, given the price.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 17:27:25 | More by teromous

champ103

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a lovely dark amber/brown color. A massive rocky and dense head forms with excellent retention. Light lace is left behind.
S: Candied fruits, figs, spices. The liquorish aroma I got from the original release, but not as over powering. Still plenty of spices. That distinct Unibroue musky yeast. Chocolate, vanilla, oak. Ultra complex, but nothing is over powering.
T: More of a toasted malt flavor up front, and some wood/oak. Coffee, Chocolate, candied fruits, vanilla, spice and musky yeast. All the complexities of the nose, but I think the toasted malts and wood flavors brings everything together perfectly.
M/D: A medium to full body. Very carbonated, crisp and smooth at the same time. So easy to drink. The alcohol is nowhere to be seen. A great sipper.

The liquorish that was in the original release is still there, but much more mellow. Complexities come out in spades, and a real treat. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 01:11:07 | More by champ103

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

4.35/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle.

Pours dark mahogany with crimson edgework in the hips of the glass with a two-plus inch head of whipped, bone froth. A dense, thick coating remained on the surface for the duration along with solid sheets of lacing. A beauty to the eye.

Aromatics lead off with candied figs, clove-studded apples, licorice, dark rum, grape bubblegum, and schezuan peppercorns.
Ripe fruit and spicey phenols abound with hints of vineousity and oak.

Medium bodied with a soft, lush mouthfeel. Velvety and lively.

Plump, juicy malt with rum-steeped candied apples and pepper dust starts the palate. Hints of oaky tannins and red wine mingle with star anise, peppercorns, coriander, and grape jam.

Finishes with spice-rubbed apples, dark rum, and a mild throat burn.

Great beer with some cellar potential. Very smooth now but I would give it maybe a year or two for the light heat to mellow.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 01:05:31 | More by brewandbbq

Drinkerofales

California

4.08/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2011 Version Bottle# 68006

A huge tan head quickly dissipated to sit permanently atop the beer, which is slightly opaque, dark brown-copper with golden highlights. Thick chunky lacing rings the goblet, and fine bubbles are active up the side of the glass.

Smells of spices, coriander, and wood. The Unibroue yeast is present as well as some bready malts.

Tastes of the spices up front, leading to a grape fruity tartness, with a hint of that yeast. The tastes smooths as it warms.

Texture is smooth, almost creamy. Fine bubbles like champagne burst in the mouth, but not annoyingly so, and aren't so present as it aerates.

A fine beer, I will be aging one to see how it does. The spices are just a tad much, the wife says they're weird. However, I liked it, and would recommend it with that disclaimer.

DOA

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 19:32:37 | More by Drinkerofales

Proteus93

Virginia

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

A: Hazy... a deep tawny would probably be the most appropriate color--or, at least the only one that comes to mind. Head forms a pretty modest single finger, retains well, and recedes back to a generous ring of lace and a misty sheet over the beer.

S: Hot damn, this beer smells nice. After taking a little break, it's like my nose has come back from the dead! Toasted malts, some nice hints of vanilla, though quite mild and balanced. There's a hint of clove and perhaps even cinnamon that I'm picking up on. It doesn't smell like a bakery, but it does have that touch of 'warmth' that I really enjoy.

T: A little bit of a banana flavor--undoubtedly a pleasant result of the yeast strain being utilized. It pairs nicely with a sweet maltiness... is there a bit of ginger in here? It's not 'spicy' as in having an edgy bite, but the flavor seems to be there. Some nice sugar notes left behind.

M + D: A solid beer, well crafted and well balanced. The carbonation doesn't quite sparkle, but it does have a richness to it. A very satisfying brew from start to finish... outstanding!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 03:00:34 | More by Proteus93

ZorPrime

Quebec (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The color is brown with some red on the edges. The head is beige color and disappear quite fast. The aroma is timid initially. Maybe the beer is too cold, I'll let it warm a little bit. After a little bit, I notice some notes of caramel malts, oak and dark fruits (blackberry and cherry). In the mouth, it is quite carbonated... just like all unibroue beers. Slightly spicy. Some other aspect found in the aroma are present in the mouth. This is a pretty decent beer from Unibroue. One of their best.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 01:56:15 | More by ZorPrime

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

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

750ml corked and caged bottle poured into tulip 1/5/12 thanks liamt07 for the bottle

A dark drown with dark amber highlights when held to the light, two fingers of tan foam has great retention and leaves some random lace

S brown sugar both crystal and burnt, woody yeast, raisin, faint booze but not 10%, there's some over-ripe candied banana and some fortified wine on a deep whiff, smells great with a nice sweet malty complexity with the wood and yeast adding to it even further

T a little more fruity then the nose with slightly more booze but still well concealed for the strength, woody finish and slightly spicy, still everything I smell with less candied banana

M creams up the instant it enters your mouth without being foam, not much heat but there's just a little, impressive all things considered, long finish of wet wood and brown sugar

O I don't have a whole lot to complain about while I'm drinking this one, its drinking great today and I'm sure it would age well too

Unibroue continues to impress me with this brew, great complexity, well concealed liquor, and it smells and tastes great. I preferred this to the aged original 17 I just had last week. It's my understanding that this on will come to Alberta in the future and I'll be buying several to age if it dose, for now I'm thanking liamt07 yet again for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 06:14:13 | More by wordemupg

Intrinsic

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle No. 2011-52013

17 pours a dark reddish-brown with a nice thick head that lasts forever.

Smells of sour cherry and raisins with a little spice thrown in for good measure. Lots of malts. The taste is similar, with a strong sweetness showing through up front. Quite complex. It's quite fizzy as well, with a dry finish. Overall, I would buy more of these if they were easier to find. Damn good beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 17:55:04 | More by Intrinsic

oberon

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I have to say it's been awhile since I have had a new Unibroue offering,back in the day I dranf alot of their offerings.Poured into a goblet a russet brown color with a nicely formed one finger off white head.Some phenolic spice and dark fruit in the nose.Yeasty and spiced phenols on the palate,the spice-like phenolic notes are big,some dark fruit and alcohol rounds out the palate.It's a good Belgian dark but I don't get much wood aged except in the finish wich is mild,in saying that it does meld well with the spiced yeasty notes of the beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 22:31:17 | More by oberon

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Rich, a Belgian like a wine. Well and complex malting. Not too sweet, very drinkable. Though not spicy, it has a richness of taste that was a mealin itself. Light chocolate, decent yeastability, better than Unibroue I have had.Dark thick brown, above average mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 03:32:36 | More by northyorksammy

Gmann

New York

4.28/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy reddish brown color with a big pillowy beige head that settles into a light cap with some spot lacing.

The aroma is sweet with dark fruit. Red grapes, raisins and brown sugar provide the sweet aroma. This is countered by mixture of clove, carob, and light leather. Has an overall spicy nature.

The taste is sweet with a brown sugar/dark candi sugar sweetness. Some raisin and prune dark fruit notes but not nearly as pronounced as in some other BSDA's. There is an undercurrent of caramel and a subtle oak tartness. Hints of carob and tobacco/leather provide a nice earthy quality. Some clovey spice. Wow, nice complexity here.

The feel is moderate with sharp fizzy carbonation, quite prickly. The beer is sweet but not overly so. Still it finishes sweet on the palate with a hint of tartness. I guess it could use a bit more of a bitter or tart offset.

Very tasty BSDA. Not overly fruity with prunes and raisins so it gets bonus points. Does have some earthy qualities. A re-make of their 17th aniversery brew, this is meant for some aging. I may plan on doing so.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 04:21:19 | More by Gmann

lordofthewiens

Maine

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

This was a reddish-brown beer with a tan head.
There was a fair amount of lace.

Aroma of fruit and caramel malt. There was a bit of spice present also.

More taste than I inferred from the aroma. Raisins, figs, cherries. Toffee and caramel. A hint of cinnamon.

This was a smooth, very satisfying beer. Would drink it anytime.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2012 18:58:53 | More by lordofthewiens

dirtylou

Washington

4.3/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle

split and paired with a NY strip, hen of the woods shrooms and seabeans. #northwest

appearance: dark chestnut-garnet body, thick creamy beige head with strong lace

smell: earthy, figs, dried cherries, brown sugar, a touch of smoke

taste: lovely - brown sugar, dates, figs, roasted nuts, maple, dark malt, oak, a fair amount of spice.

mouthfeel: light and lively, well carbonated

overall: great stuff - no surprise from unibroue

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 02:59:06 | More by dirtylou

MatthewWilde

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sample: 1 bottle 2011

A: Extremely dark reddish brown, heavy internal carbonation, pours a perfect medium light brown head that is quite intrepid, a bit hazy

S: Quite fragrant, heavy dried fruits, tart cherries, figs, some earthy elements, a few medicinal/herbal notes as well, rather complex

T: Akin to the nose, very nice and strong dried fruit, some spiciness as well as some herbal qualities, a touch of alcohol on the finish, would love to try with some age

M: As I've come to expect from Unibroue, incredibly smooth, easy to drink, light and fruity aftertaste, not too lingering or overpowering on the palate

O: Pretty amazing, certainly deserving of its accolades, smooth, delicious, and fragrant, can't wait to open my second bottle in a few years

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 23:28:01 | More by MatthewWilde

clayrock81

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a twany brown with decent head on top of a dark and tropical fruit aroma, some very noticeable yeast along with sugary goodness and that touch of orange/citric spice along with spices. Smooth, semi-creamy medium body that has a fuller mouthfeel thanks to that distinct yeast. This beer has a crackle to it thanks to some lively spices that are peppery and clove-like and there are plenty of fruit flavors. There's an easy to spot orange/banana like citric taste, as well as some black cherry or figs for a dark fruit taste and then there's fruits across the board like apple and grape that I pick up here and there. Well-balanced between this fruits and some spicy and sweet malty goodness, the beer has a lively finish thanks to some good carbonation as well and is a very enjoyable sipper.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 15:33:53 | More by clayrock81

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.93/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an effervescent brown/hazel with 3+ fingers of tan head. Superior head retention & above average lacing

S: Pears, Figs & a touch of treaclely booze. Some phenolic notes once warm

T: Follows the nose, some apricot as well, much dryness & a touch of dark candi-sugar up front. Smokey/peaty notes as this warms, figs, a bit of boozey raisin & a touch of brown sugar. Finishes, dry, warming, figgy & with a touch of treacle, nutmeg, cinnamon & raisin

MF: Fairly chewy, light carbonation. Carbonation picks up as this warms, along a general warming feel, but also thins out a bit

A ponderous beer, says it's best before 12-12-2016, I'm sure this will age nicely, not too shabby as it is now, but I was hoping for given its Grande Reserve handle...

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 03:44:42 | More by russpowell

SHODriver

California

4.13/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a deep brown with an ample fluffy off white head with good retention
S: smells of zesty and spicy yeast, some tannins, fruity esters and some dark fruit smells. very complex and nice aroma. I've spent minutes just sitting here and smelling it
T: slightly tart up front with a slightly oaked middle with some fruitiness and some spices. sweet and fruity aftertaste
M: slightly prickly carbonation and medium bodied. not bad
O: a very good beer, not quite the bold level of their other offerings but the subtleties are nice and it's still enjoyable

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2012 04:27:30 | More by SHODriver

wvsabbath

West Virginia

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving Type - 220z caged and corked bottle

Appearance - Dark tan/brown, creamy foamy 2 inch head and nice lacing.

Smell - Very strong wine like aroma. Sugars, grapes, plum and rasin. Some spices and a little oaked comes out.

Taste - Much like the smell, has a noticeable wine quality to it. Bitter, bitey grape and plum notes along with some oaked flavor. Spices mixed along with some yeast add more bitter dry tastes. Alcohol is pretty masked.

Mouthfeel - Bitter, dry, much like a wine. Tounge gets fruits, yeast and fruits. Palette gets pretty much the same, along with even more spices. Aftertaste is dry, bitter and grape fruity.

Overall - Good, but nothing special compaired to the rest of unibroues' ales. I was expecting a little more oaked flavor, but this is closer to a dry wine. I think if any other brewery made this it would be great, but this is just more of the same high standard from unibroue. Since its limited its for sure worthy of trying.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 02:10:04 | More by wvsabbath

Greywulfken

New York

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

First glass started ice cold in a frosted tulip and warmed to probably about 45-55 degrees. Second glass started at refrigerator temp and warmed to room temp.

A: 4 finger head of foam; murky dark cider-colored pour landed as a opaque rich brown-red beer

S: malty dark fruit and spice

T: complex balance between dry oaky wine and spiced malts - hints of fig, prune, raisin and spices; yeasty tang; very faint after-hints of mocha

M: crisp as first, smoothing out as it warmed; light bite of alcohol; medium-light body; brisk sustained carbonation

O: love these guys - have never had a bad Unibroue - all Unibroue beers have a certain yeasty/malty (?) flavor aspect that sets them apart from all other brewers. However, honestly, the other beers in their line (La Fin du Monde, Maudite, & Trois Pistoles all come to mind) are all so good that I'm not sure this is necessarily a better beer, but it is certainly equally classy and full of character.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 18:05:36 | More by Greywulfken

kojevergas

California

3.48/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

750 ml brown glass bottle with hood and wire cap over a cork served into a Guinness goblet in me gaff in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Expectations are high given its current ratings and the brewery - which I usually like. Bottled in 2011. ABV confirmed as 10.00%. Best before date 12-12-2016. Reviewed live. Acquired at Red Carpet Liquor in Glendale, California. I don't recall the cost.

Served refrigerator cold and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

I used pliers to remove the cork, yielding a satisfying pop indicative of solid carbonation.

A: Pours a four finger head of beige colour, nice cream, nice thickness, and incredible retention for the high ABV - at least five minutes. Colour is a semitransparent dark amber. Fairly translucent.

Sm: Quite yeasty, with noticeable oak, dry white wine, a vague hint of what might be peach, spice, vanilla, and clean malts. A masterfully subtle, mild strength aroma.

T: A clean malt foundation backed by a nice oak tone, with lees and yeast at the forefront. Spices aid the balance. Some vanilla - especially on the climax, and hints of cacao about the climax and finish. No alcohol comes through in the taste - which is quite an accomplishment. No white wine; I may have been mistaken about that note. Light cream on the open. Reminds me of a witbier somehow. The yeast is delightfully layered, with some earthy, some spicy, and some biscuity. Masterfully subtle and quite complex. Exceptionally well balanced. I like it, but it's a touch too sweet, lessening the drinkability.

Mf: Fizzy, slightly coarse, and wet. Too thick. Adequately carbonated. Something's off about the mouthfeel, preventing it from complementing the flavours well. It just doesn't feel right. Light on the palate.

Dr: Absurdly drinkable for the high ABV, but it'll be difficult to kill this bottle. The sweetness wears away on me, and I find myself getting tired of the beer over time. I doubt I'd get it again. If I had it again, I'd want an aged version. Best consumed in smaller quantities. Not Unibroue's best beer by any means, but enjoyable.

B-

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 04:33:56 | More by kojevergas