United Nations of Beer

La Fin du Monde beer

by Ashley Cotter-Cairns
(UNOB HQ)

La Fin du Monde beer (9% ABV)
Unibroue, QC, Canada
Visit the UNOB's Quebec Beer Guide

If you've been told once that something's not the end of the world, then you've been told it a thousand times. Most probably by your parents when something, seemingly of massive importance to you at the time, couldn't or wouldn't be countenanced by the crusty old buggers.

But what if something really WERE the end of the world? If nothing else, that would teach your big-headed parents a thing or two. But outside of Hollywood big-budget thrillers, where can you find such a thing?

Fortunately, our friends at Unibroue in Chambly, QC, Canada have produced a beer that makes just such a claim.

La Fin du Monde beer (French for "The End of the World") is a 9% ABV monster of taste. It comes in six packs (which are always boxed in Quebec) or the enormous 750ml wine-bottle-sized behemoth bombers, sealed with a champagne-like cork.

The scary part about this beer is how drinkable it is. I fully expected to dislike it, as most of the Chambly-style beers I've had (notably Raftman and Maudite, both of which we tasted during our Quebec beer tasting night) were very difficult to enjoy, being dark, harsh and very strong-tasting (especially Maudite, at 8% ABV).

The good news is that La Fin du Monde beer is an enjoyable alternative.

Far from reminding me of Carlsberg Special Brew (which is the 9% ABV beer that homeless people in the UK drink to get high), it was surprisingly fresh, crisp and easy on the palate.