Raftman - Unibroue

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.22/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had after 27 months, and its not a bad Belgium, yeasty, less whisky than I originally noted. Probably rated fair at 3.9. Now an incredible selling Onatrio beer.
If you like whisky or scotch, as well as beer, then its an interesting and purposeful cocktail of the two. Original and unique. Refreshing evening drink. Swirl it and fizz settles to a nice orange/brown color.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2003 03:27:56 | More by northyorksammy

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16 ounce pint - $6.50 at Taco Mac in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Lightly hazed, medium-brown body with a slim coating of white fizz from a to-the-top pour.

Smell: Toasted, lightly sweet-scented maltiness with spicy elements smelling of cloves and earthy nutmeg and varied complimentary fruity notes.

Taste: Slightly toothsome taste of brown sugar stirred up with crushed graham crackers, toasted bread crumbs, and ginger snaps. Fruity kick of pears, Golden Delicious apples, bananas, and plums. Underlying but steadfast spiciness. I was informed this was a smoked beer. At best, I get an infinitesimal puff of faint smokiness. At best. Touch of the standard Unibroue house yeast. Not much hop character or bitterness to be found. Sliver of wheatiness. Spice and sweetness intermingled with the varied fruitiness on the well carbonated finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Medium-plus carbonation.

Overall: Pretty good. Raftman has a good range of tastes, a comparatively low level of alcohol, and a nice crisp effervescence.

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2011 15:21:50 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a cloudy honey color with a decent head (though a little disappointing for a Belgian style); not much lacing

Smell: Floral and white pepper elements along with a cookie dough yeast aspect

Taste: Opens with a cookie dough flavor that adds an oaky, peppery and floral character by mid-palate; after the swallow, the flavors dry out considerably, with just a hint of peaty smoke in the finish

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body; very effervescent

Drinkability: Not as distinctive as I would have expected, this is still a nice lighter Belgian style ale

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2010 02:25:07 | More by brentk56

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.35/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

It is supposed to be a smoked brew but I believe the smoke taste could be more present. I would qualify this more as a smoke brew for beginners. Still, very good beer with the disctinct yeast flavor from Unibroue but I frank better brew from Unibroue.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2003 07:08:33 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed last night at Pazzo's Pizza Pub, Lexington KY (a Pint Night offering). Don't think this beer is actually Belgian Pale, but it's quite a good beer, no matter the style. A very rusty colored, lightly viscous pour delivers a dainty head retention and light, creamy carbonation, which creame resists fading throughout. Moderate aromas of complex malts, aged hops, fruitiness, spicy esters, and a vineous, peat-ey / light smoke, musky scent sets the tone. A strong scent of metal and rust accompanies over-ripe fruits of peaches, dates, figs, grapes, pears, apricots, and mangos. Flavors hit on these same notes, but apply emphasis to a woodsy / musty character, a yeasty / bready flavor and texture; and strong, spicy / fruity esters. The textue is far lighter than the aroamas and flavors suggest; more Witbier-like than Belgian Pale. Very creamy textured, with light, powdery, cooling sensation. Alcohols remain light throughout. Waters a bit toward the end, but reamins very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2007 13:21:37 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice deep copper color with medium head that leaves some pretty nice lacing,I really liked the soft malty slightly sweet aroma.The taste is also pretty soft with a light smokiness to it with a good malty backbone and finishes a little fruity.I think this is a highly drinkable beer for the style,pretty well done.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2003 06:43:32 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hazy (bottle conditioned) amber/orange in color with a full, dense white head that drops but keeps a decent 1/8" of foam and leaves some minor lace. The aroma is fruity (citrusy... lightly lemon, and peach) and quite sweetish (candyish, even) with some noteable yeast character present. Very welcoming. The body is light but enhanced by a very fine and gently effervescent carbonation that gives it a fuller appearance and creamy mouthfeel. The flavor is fruity and sweet, but backed by enough underlying bitterness to keep it anchored. There's soft flavors of light & dark fruits (berries, peach, light citrus), a sweet & bready malt not unlike cookie dough, and a light peppery spiciness and some woody & vanilla notes from the yeast. Very nice. It finishes semi-sweet with a lingering sweet & fruity malt note. If smokiness is to be found in this beer, it's in the finish, and quite light. Well brewed. This would make a great apertif, or even a nice after-dinner drink paired with some lightly sweet dessert cookies or raspberry sorbet. Or, this would also make a great beer for a soft, lightly breezy summer evening as the sun goes down. Quite unique, and very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2002 10:34:48 | More by NeroFiddled

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Wearing a color of golden orange, topped with a bold, bright white and bubbling champagne-like head of foam, Raftman shows promise from the start.

In the nose, a unique and mysterious character begins to show itself: heady, deep, musky, sweet, yet strong, touches of citrus, and the definitive stamp of whiskey. The more I drink it in, the more my imagination stirs...am I in an enchanted forst, a magical glen? Feels peaty, maybe a little smokey, lush with rich malt, and citric hops persisting.

Texture is rought and tumble at first, slowly giving way to a tasteful play on the tongue and palate. Lemon/orange flavor returns again. Mouthfeel is very warming. Full bodied.

I can't for the life of me figure this beer out, and maybe that's okay, in this case. I've had different reactions every time I've had it, liking it more each time. A most unusual ale. Unibroue is most adept at crafting unique beers, and this is definitely one of those.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2003 12:49:12 | More by feloniousmonk

drabmuh

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip glass. Beer is brown and pretty hazy. Forms a thick white head of small bubbles that falls away leaving no lacing on the glass. Carbonation is moderate to low. Looks OK.

Aroma is sweet and lactic acid like but overall mild. Some esters but really not much at all. Smells OK.

Beer is medium bodied and pretty sweet. There are some caramel notes to the beer and it finishes nicely. The body is good with some carbonation on the palate, overall its a pretty drinkable beer. Not my favorite beer by them but its solid. Yeah, highly drinkable but just an OK beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2010 04:30:34 | More by drabmuh

MasterSki

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I got this 750ml bottle at a store in the western suburbs of Chicago - apparently it hasn't been available in the US for a while. Served in a Cantillon tumbler. The bottle said best before 10-04-02 - not sure what style dating this is, but either the beer just expired in April or it's over nine years old!

A - Pours with a few fingers of off-white foam that dissipates to a thin cap leaving behind a few splotches of lace. Transparent golden body.

S - Initially I pick up a touch of zest form the whiskey malt, as well as light clove. As it warms I get more pale malts, honey, and fruity esters.

T - Again, it's honey and fruit, with little of the signature Unibroue yeast. Not much overt oxidation, so it's hard to believe this is really almost ten years old. However, it is a bit bland.

M - Nice zesty carbonation, and a surprisingly big body for 5.5%. Smooth, clean finish.

D - If this is really nearly ten years old, it's one of the best aging examples I've encountered. I'd be confident in aging other higher gravity Unibroue beers. Would like to try it fresh to compare next time I'm in Quebec.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2010 16:38:20 | More by MasterSki

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.25/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Sampled at 1702, Tucson; August 2011
The beer arrives from the tap with a one-finger thick, pale tan colored head. The beer is a light amber color that shows a lightly hazed, amber-gold hue when held up to the light. Up front the aroma has an earthy, yeast driven spiciness that reminds me of grassy coriander and a touch of something herbal like thyme perhaps. This is backed by a soft, pear like fruitiness that has touches of green apple to it. After a bit of time some musty yeast aromatics join with the general spicy notes. I am having a hard time smelling any smoke influence in the nose, but if I dig a whole lot there seems to be a richness in the malt character that could be contributed by the peat smoked malt.

Fairly dry tasting up front, but there is a substantial fruitiness that reminds me of pears and ripe sweet-plums that adds a perceived sweetness to the finish. The finish has a touch of phenolic character to it as well, some of this is clove character from the yeast, but there also seems to be a touch of something earthier and richer that might be peat smoke. The malt character in the finish is also quite rich and almost umami laden; it is sort of toasted, but really just rich and malty (but no grain sweetness) and this has to be boosted by the smoked malt. The body of this is light enough to be downright quaffable, but still has enough texture to not seem thin. When paired with my slice of pizza some plastic like notes are brought out in the finish as is a soft tartness.

The smoked malt in this is extremely subtle; I have a feeling this is for the best given their characterful house yeast and the fact that it is peat smoked malt, but I still feel like I am missing out on a more pungent smoke character. Interestingly enough the house yeast dominates the profile of this beer, so if you like that, then this beer is pretty enjoyable; I just wish something else came through a bit more.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 03:15:30 | More by Gueuzedude

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured out as a cloudy looking copper color. The head was big and white at first, once it settles it leaves a few spots on top where the bubbles rise to the top of the beer. The smell is yeasty,and a little fruity. The flavor of the beer has a nice apple taste coming off of it. There is also a decent amount of spice in there too. The mouthfeel is well carbonated and is medium bodied. Overall a little different than a typical Belgian pale ale. The fruit sets it apart from the majority. Worth trying.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2011 22:05:36 | More by Knapp85

Halcyondays

California

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a murky red with a solid cap of white foam with good retention, no lacing.

S: Thought there would be a lot more smoky character - but there was just a hint, mostly the Unibroue house yeast character an a bit of apple.

T: Definite smoke character, light wood almost an herbal cedar taste. Undercurrent of green apple peel and iron. Yeast character is mild, just a hint of ester and phenol, lightly medicinal aftertatse. All around a good flavoured ale.

M: Similar to what I experienced with Ephemere last night - too much initial carbonation. Rather thin, light bodied, not as smooth as I'd like it to be.

D: Aside from some mouthfeel problems, this is a pretty good ale. I liked the addition of the smoked whiskey malt, the flavour really enhanced what could have a been a pedestrian effort. Nice hybrid.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2008 23:13:06 | More by Halcyondays

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a cloudy medium pale golden colour, with a few fingers of puffy white head, that dissipates quite quickly, leaving no lace. It smells of floral fruit, and white grain malt. The only whisk(e)y that this reminds me of is the Canadian rye sort. The taste has a very light smoky candy sweetness, not unlike toasted marshmallows, coupled with a dry spicy, biscuity malt. The flavour is interesting, good, and hard as hell to pin down. The carbonation is moderate, the body fairly full and smooth, and it finishes dry and and kind of woody.

The whisk(e)y malt makes indeterminate appearances throughout this beer, but overall, it's a unique and decent offering from Unibroue.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2009 01:20:00 | More by biboergosum

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter glass at Victoria Gastro Pub in Columbia, MD.

A: The pale ale has an orange glow, a bright golden hue that is opaque. A thin white head came with the pour and progressively got smaller with each sip.

S: The nose has the distinct Unibroue house yeast, fruity sweet, overtop a full caramel malt base. The fullness of the nose reminds me of more subtle wee heavies.

T: More scotch ale flavors, not the smoked peaty flavors thourgh. Instead, the ale offers full caramel malts, a thick bready base that is a worthy foe for the yeast strain. Pears and green grapes are prevalent, a testament to Unibroue's terroir. The fullness, paired with sweet fruits, isn't heavy though, staying light with each sip.

M: A chewy ale that hasn't shaken its sweet side. I was glad for the opportunity (it's been many years), however my rose-tinted din of my memory recalls more of a peaty presence.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2011 19:11:13 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The appearance is a golden orangish tone, with a white head along with a solid amount of lace lining the glass. The aroma has a nice apple fragrance along with some nice esters that arise to the nose. Very sweet flavors with the balancing bitterness arising in the finish, very mild smooth and refreshing. For Unibroue this one is lighter in flavor than most of their brews, but it is still a very solid selection that deserves a shot. It dances on the tongue with the high carbonation, but overall a lighter to medium body. Pretty drinkable, but the high carbonation would stop me from wanting to consume too many of these.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2003 10:42:13 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

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

Unibroue has yet to disappoint, and I doubt they ever will. Sure, the yeast strain seems to be about the same for each beer, and it kind of shows. But hey, they're consistently pulling off Belgian styles that are produced en masse. And that works for me.

This one is pretty easy to drink and the character is good. Ripe fruit on this one with the dark ale character you'd expect. Was surprised to see it on tap and glad to be able to try it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2012 00:46:30 | More by RblWthACoz

jdhilt

New Hampshire

2.95/5  rDev -23.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Really a different ale, looks and pours like cider. Slight yeast taste with smoky overtones. Zero carbonation and head - really wierd. After reading the other reviews I think I got a bad bottle.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2002 15:34:25 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

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

(Served in a tulip glass)

A- This beer pours a hazy orange body with a gentle carbonation and a thin film of white that last for a good bit.

S- The soft fruity caramel malt note has some estery yeast notes and a faint hint of salty smoke in the background.

T- The fruity Unibroue yeast character comes through with a peach and apricot ester note to follow and a nice club soda quality to follow. There is a wheat dough note and a more faint smoke note that turns water as the beer warms.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with a soft fizz in the finish.

O- There are some nice ester characters with a good wheat and caramel flavor. The Unibroue yeast profile is a nice compliment with some hints of hefeweizen and just enough smoke to make it interesting.

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2011 19:12:08 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Quick foaming head that slowly drops down to an ample lace over a cloudy glowing orange coloured brew.

Woody aroma with hints of yeast and vanilla, a faint smoke is detected also with a fruitiness of peaches and lemon.

Smooth mouth feel with a large crispness from a somewhat aggressive carbonation. Malty upfront with a toasted sweetness, sizeable yeast twang in the middle. A dash of peppery phenols thrown in for good measure. Slight metallic charred grain husk flavour pulls the dryness further in. Swift yet mild fruitiness pops in with an indistinct peach flavour and faded alcoholic esters. Hops are very light with only a fast gracing of bitterness. Toasted grain lingers far into the finish.

I could have one after the other of this brew, I’ll be buying this by the case ASAP.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2002 16:46:02 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The operative word here is mild. Large bottle, caged and corked. Openw with low energy and pours with fairly low carbonation, medium, tiny bubble, light tan head. Next to no lacing. Nose is mildly smokey, with hints of vanilla and oak. Subtle and sublime, more light smoke,mellon and oak picked up. Vanilla notes to smooth things along. Tasty and easy going sipper. Fine choice for light foods and of course, smoked meats/BBQ

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2005 20:20:45 | More by Billolick

mdfb79

New York

3.58/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From 07/03/11 notes. Had on tap at The Ginger Man in NYC.

a - Pours a hazy dark orange color with one finger of fluffy off white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of yeast, spices, bananas, cloves, and bready malts.

t - Tastes of spices, bananas, yeast, light bread, cloves, and fruity malts.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Smooth and creamy.

o - Overall a good beer, but not Unibroue's best. Next time I would just stick with one of their other offerings.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2011 18:05:21 | More by mdfb79

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy orange/amber, small head, no lacing. Smell is sweet and smokey, some floral and citrus notes. Taste is smokey malt, sweet, yeasty as almost all Unibroues are, some citrus and light fruit in the finish. Mouthfeel is smooth, highly carbonated, medium body, nice and refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2005 22:00:53 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

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

This beer pours a hazy orange color and throws out a medium, dense white head that is well retained. There are some subdued belgian yeast notes on the nose as well as a candy like sweetness. The taste of this almost reminds me of the JW LEES barleywines, except this is a lot more subdued. A dark fruit presence is noted. Some yeasty doughy characteristics. Whiskey malt? I'm not sure what characteristics whiskey malt would add, but there is something a little unique about this beer that I can't pinpoint. Probably the whiskey malt. Maybe a bit of smokiness. The body is light to medium. Nicely carbonated mouthfeel. And very easy drinking. Another solid beer from Unibroue.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2002 21:13:01 | More by Bighuge

corby112

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -28.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle.

Pours a dark cloudy golden brown color with a huge foamy head. Aroma consists of light fruit such as apple, pear and banana as well as a slight maltiness. This beer has an interesting mix of crisp light fruit and whiskey malts. Carbonated with crisp center and dry whiskey-like finish.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2008 01:02:26 | More by corby112