Just picked up a bottle of this Unibrow brewed beauty. Am trying to write the first review as we speak.
People probably aren't as excited about it as they were in previous years...last years release was pretty lame.
I thought '11 was delicious, and almost impossible to beat for the price of $4.99. I will certainly be hitting up TJ's for multiple '12s.
I thought '11 was unpleasantly (oddly) mentholated and medicinal and generally disappointing...even for a mere 5 bucks. Can anyone give a description of this year's? I'd love to try it, but a Trader Joe's that sells alcohol is out of my way, especially if it's like last year's...
I submitted a correction request to BA a while ago about this series of beers, to no avail. It's listed here as brewed by Trader Joe's Brewing Company, but it says right on the label (and cork/cage, IIRC) that this beer is brewed by Unibroue. What gives? I had the 2010 not too long ago, thought it was certainly worth the $5 or $6 I paid for a 750.
It's brewed for Trader Joe's by Unibroue. Do other contract breweries show contract beers under their name? Most likely not.
Do other contract breweries put their name on the label, and put their logo on the cap/cage? (Honest question; I don't know.) I didn't see anywhere on the Vintage Ale bottle a reference to Trader Joe's Brewing Company; the only name I saw was Unibroue. To me that made enough of a difference to request a correction.
I actually really want to taste this now that we finally have a Trader Joes in Fort Worth. I really enjoy the oatmeal stout too that they sell.
I've had this beer since it came in 05. I believe the early years where great for the price. 08 is still my favorite. 09,10,11 got a little crazy with the spices and such. The current reminds me more of the early years. I usually by 2 cases each yr but skipped the past 2. Gotta like the Unibroue yeast taste though! Cheers Eric B
I thought the spice character on last year's (once it had a little time to calm down) was actually quite nice (if a bit odd)...the wife and I wished we'd bought two!
Opened a btl the night before last. Tasted like cough syrup. Oddly sweet and strange spice notes. Not a winner but not as bad as the Italian beers Tj's sells
I will look for this, but Mass sucks not allowing all stores of a chain sell beer. I feel an exception should be made when the beer is brewed specifically for the store.
We all know you meant ooo-knee-brew But yes, an Unibroue beer for $5! A diamond in the rough for sure.
Seriously... a 750ml bottle of Unibroue for $5 is totally worth it. I opened an 2009 Vintage Ale last Xmas and it was delicious. Remember this is a Belgian strong dark ale, they're intended it sit and rest for a bit. This beer is no exception. Can't wait to pick up a few bottles.
Picked up 3 of these up today. I'll probably have to go back and get more. I enjoyed last years version, so I'm looking forward to trying it again. I put a bottle of last years in the fridge also to do a mini vertical.
