I purchased one of these towards the end of November with New Years in mind. Blasting the cork off something seemed like an appropriate activity for when the clock struck midnight, and champagne falls quite a ways below beer on the scale of things I like.
Unibroue (located in Chambly, Quebec) makes the best beer in Canada. Actually. A coaster near me boasts over 100 medals; and without a date I can only assume this coaster is a previous edition--potentially collectible!--and Unibroue has collected quite a few more awards.
Needless to say I was quite excited to pop the cork on Unibroue 17 at midnight. Failing spectacularly, I poured myself a tall chalice and savoured the aroma.
For like, 2 seconds!!!!! This is great stuff. This is the sort of beer cold-mad Quebec lumberjacks swig after a long day of logger-hockey and poutine. King Malt sits on his hops and spice throne for the nose. Drinking reveals even more malt, which by this point is dancing around your tastebuds with the Christmas morning glee of a child. Sweet mocha enters the mix followed by a very small line of fruity oak. It goes down smooth.
A friend of mine responded to his taste by cackling and went for a high five. Every flavour in the nose and palate is individually perceptible, yet can also be tasted in one condensed package. The light was too dim to see the colour, though Unibroue's website and a quick Google image search shows a deep amber. Ten minutes later the flavour was still relaxing and warm.
At 10% ABV, this is one that should be had long and slow, challenging your self-discipline. There's a very good reason this was named one of the top five beers world over at the World Beer Awards in 2010. Share it about with your mates, this beer is true perfection.
Damn that sounds good! I'm usually only down for a heavy dark beer (except when in hot, tropical zones), but this sounds worthy of expanding my selection code. Hope I can find it in SF!
ReplyDelete