United Nations of Beer

Trader Joe's Vintage 2009

by Bret
(Las Vegas)

Trader Joe's 2009 Vintage Ale (9% ABV)
Brewed for Trader Joe's by Unibroue, Chambly, Quebec, Canada
Visit the UNOB's California beer guide

My quest for this year's best (and worst) holiday beers continues with a surprising entry from my favorite brewer, Unibroue. Apparently this is the fourth installment of the TJ Vintage series and I was a little apprehensive to drink it. After seeing the trademark "Ale on the Lees" stamped to the bottle, I immediately bought two and headed for home.

The beers aroma starts off with some sweet yeast and stone fruit scents with mild malt overtones. However, the smells of the beer change to peppery and spicy as you drink the beer. Hops are not apparent in any way with this beer's scent, it is just smooth and mild.

TJ's 2009 is a clear deep brown almost ebony color with a thick, bubbly, pale head which lingers and sheets the glass while beer is consumed. A characteristic common to a couple of Unibroue's selections. There is a strong spicy, peppery flavor and metallic yeast taste. Slight citrus aftertaste which leaves you flat In seconds but increases as it warms, as does the spiciness. Negligible bitterness from the hops and slight maltiness. Well rounded as the beer is consumed and heats up but uninspiring early.

There is a surprisingly smooth texture to this beer which coats the palate with yeast and spice. The aftertaste is very refreshing and the heavy carbonation plays with your taste buds as you drink this ale.

Overall this is a truly unique beer brewed by Unibroue, flat and lack luster at the start, but as it warms in the glass it is phenomenal. The strong spice and mild citrus flavors are very appealing and refreshing but the body is weak early with limited mouthfeel but gains strength as it ages. Maybe it will age well and I will open my second bottle next year.