Trader Joe's yearly tradition is their vintage ale. I've been out of the habit of blogging for a while because I've been working long hours. When I saw this at my local TJ's I decided it was time to get back to it. This beer is actually brewed by Unibroue in Chambly, Quebec, Canada (just outside Montreal). Unibroue has been in business since 1990 and adheres to a European trappist monk style. All Unibroue beers are brewed with water, malted barley, malted wheat, wheat, yeast, hops, sugar, fruit, and spices. They also bottle ferment their beers.
The 2012 Vintage Ale is a Belgian strong ale and clocks in at 9% ABV. It comes corked, which for me would not twist or pull out so I had to use a corkscrew. It pours with a thick coffee-cream colored foam (a bit over carbonated), which eventually goes away. It's a very dark raisin brown with a complex taste profile. Overall, malty and spicy with a thick body. It has a malty and yeast-y aftertaste. Within the maltiness you can taste ginger, nutmeg, dark fruit, and some sweetness.
At $4.99 this beer isn't cheap, but for 750ml and 9% ABV, that's really a good price. It's a great beer to share at a holiday meal, or to kick back and relax over the weekend. Four out of five stars, and worth giving it a try!
