Raftman - Unibroue

CortexBomb

Michigan

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Deep orange pour with a 1.5 inch white head, U's beers are consistently solid on the appearance and this one is no exception. The U yeast smell dominates the nose with the vaguest hints of peat and sugar on the edge.

The flavour hits the light fruits that U's pale beers are known for. The peat and smoke from the whisky malts that is mentioned on the label is definitely present, albeit subtle, but for the most part this is a fairly standard pale offering from the Quebec brewery.

Mouthfeel is medium, which is appropriate for the style. It's light, effervescent, not unlike champagne, this is standard for the brewery. Drinkability is solid, though I should say that I find most of this style of beer extremely easy to drink.

The bottom line: As I've said before, I think Unibroue is a victim of their own success. In a pure vacuum, almost all of their beers are solid, but because they brew in a fairly rigid style, the brews all compete with each other. Raftman is a nice light offering. I think they are overplaying the use of whisky malts though, as a single malt fan, I expect a more aggressive flavour when the whisky tie-in is featured so prominently. This isn't a bad beer by any means though and I'm still flummoxed as to why it's the one standard offering that isn't available in the US except in the odd little variety pack that has the Chambly beers and an Ephemere. One thing I'll definitely give this beer in parting: exceptional for only 5.5 ABV, and that alone would probably be enough to make it a semi-regular in my glass if it was just available in 4/6 packs in the States.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2009 23:12:29 | More by CortexBomb

pin

Australia

3/5  rDev -22.5%

05-21-2013 22:59:55 | More by pin

Molson2000

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +3.4%

05-11-2013 23:51:16 | More by Molson2000

Whatup14

Quebec (Canada)

2.75/5  rDev -28.9%

04-17-2013 15:06:30 | More by Whatup14

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

04-16-2013 09:50:55 | More by Kelp

TheDoctor

Quebec (Canada)

3.89/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A:
Pours a murky butterscotch color, if there isn't light behind it almost looks greenish. It has a light one-inch head that thins out to a thin layers of tiny bubbles.

S:
Smells really dank and earthy to me. It does have a sweet yeasty musk to it as well (as seems to be the case in most of their beers), but is mainly a smell of fresh cut grass with some citrus aromas.

T:
Comes onto the tongue pretty crisp and pilsenerey. There is definitely a smoky, whiskey presence to the taste, but nothing shocking by any means.

M:
Some nice grassy, smoky notes and a really nice level of carbonation. Short aftertaste. Well-balanced on the whole.

O:
This is one fine brew! I really enjoyed every aspect of drinking it. It was really well-balanced, neither too sweet nor too bitter. It also wasn't super yeasty (like some other beers they put out--not that yeast is bad or anything). Really refreshing, too. In this respect it also benefits from not having a super high alcohol content like some of their other beers. I would have it again. And again. I'd even tell my friends.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 22:32:35 | More by TheDoctor

Zachtheporter

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +3.4%

03-31-2013 04:45:17 | More by Zachtheporter

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +9.8%

03-29-2013 21:03:49 | More by Reagan1984

BGsWo22

New York

2.75/5  rDev -28.9%

03-21-2013 00:15:56 | More by BGsWo22

guezarka

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +22.7%

02-22-2013 16:58:15 | More by guezarka

Ivanhoes_Backpack

New Brunswick (Canada)

3.54/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

341ml bottle poured into tulip.

A - pours a dark orange/light brown colour. One finger head.
S - typical Unibroue Belgian smell, sweet, fruity, bit of spice, whiskey.
T - sweet, belgian spice, some orange, bittersweet smooth finish, some whisky hints, smoke lingers.
M - heavy carbonation, tingle stays on the palate long after.
O - I'm not a huge Belgian guy nor whisky guy, but this is interesting nonetheless. The whisky and smoke flavours are pretty subtle. Smell was't all that distinct from other Unibroue. Surprisingly, this is only 5.5%, making it near sessionable territory. I would drink this again, probably wouldn't pick it over some other Unibroue's though.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 02:23:16 | More by Ivanhoes_Backpack

DaPan

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

02-15-2013 02:26:42 | More by DaPan

DmanGTR

New York

4/5  rDev +3.4%

01-31-2013 22:11:33 | More by DmanGTR

uturn

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

01-17-2013 21:44:04 | More by uturn

Warwick

4.5/5  rDev +16.3%

01-07-2013 03:18:23 | More by Warwick

4ster

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev +3.4%

01-01-2013 19:24:48 | More by 4ster

Morpheus

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev +3.4%

12-26-2012 06:07:54 | More by Morpheus

GoHabsGo

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

12-25-2012 23:21:34 | More by GoHabsGo

stereosforgeeks

Virginia

4/5  rDev +3.4%

12-17-2012 15:27:05 | More by stereosforgeeks

zachary80

Indiana

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into my Corsendonk glass (looks like image on back of bottle). From this seasons gift set / variety pack, not sure the date. Area after "Best Before" is blank.

Pours with a large white head, fades, some retention. Hazy light brown body with golden highlights. Low lacing.

Sweet, somewhat tart aroma. Soft.

Mild but interesting BPA. Fruity finish. Yeastiness lingers.

Good mouthfeel and carbonation.

Overall this is one of my favorite BPA. Nothing outstanding about it, I just really enjoy it.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 04:17:14 | More by zachary80

KalanM

British Columbia (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

11-29-2012 01:50:03 | More by KalanM

brother_rat

New York

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%

11-24-2012 22:43:43 | More by brother_rat

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -22.5%

10-12-2012 13:02:38 | More by ejimhof

intoxabroad

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev +3.4%

10-08-2012 17:04:52 | More by intoxabroad

ujin

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev +3.4%

09-22-2012 21:20:50 | More by ujin