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Category Archives: Country: Canada

Review of Unibroue La Terrible

Hi guys. For today’s craft beer review I’m going to be trying the Unibroue La Terrible produced by the Unibroue Brewery located in Chambly, Quebec, Canada.

It’s been sometime since I last had a brew from Unibroue and I’ve yet to try this one, so I’m looking forward to it.

From the website, unibroue.com, not a whole lot was provided about the beer. However, I jumped over to ratebeer.com and found this.

La Terrible is a dark brown beer on lees and is part of a collection of exotic and refined Unibroue beers brewed using 100% natural raw materials. It may be drunk as an aperitif or as an after dinner digestive. It is equally a perfect accompaniment to the above-mentioned dishes or a pleasant alternative to coffee.

Ok. Let’s give it a try.

(Sorry about the poor quality of the picture guys)

The La Terrible came in a 25.4 oz. bottle and it had an ABV of 10.5%.

It poured a deep burgundy color with some rich, ruby highlights showing around the curves of the chalice. The crown was light tan and sized well. It was smooth and just a touch fizzy. The retention time was ok and the lacing seemed to be only average. A ton of sticky alcohol was left clinging to the sides when tilted and swirled however.

The nose was quite sweet smelling. Sweet fragrances of fruit. Tones of apple juice, ripe grapes and plum. Bountiful amounts of Belgian yeast type aromas, spices of clove as well as some light touches of caramel malt really helped pull some of the sweetness off the top to create a very well balanced, harmonized and complex aroma. Nary a hint of alcohol was detected within the bouquet.

The flavor also released a solid shot of apple accompanied by savors of raisin and grape. A tone of dark rye bread and yeast intermingled with the clove to give it an earthy and round tone that I really liked. Some of that caramel was again found, yet only after it warmed a touch. Like the aroma, it started sweet, but settled gently as it opened up. Nice. I’ll say though, that the alcohol was easily noticed, yet it never seemed to overpower or dominate the taste.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied. Rather smooth, dry and chewy. The carbonation was of medium strength. A nice shot of warmth was felt and a heap of flavor was left behind on the palate after each sip.

In conclusion, I thought this was a very, very nice beer. One of the better ones from Unibroue in my opinion. I’d suggest you guys pick it up if you get the chance. It was complex, rich, bold, flavorful and solid in all aspects. The drinkability was reasonable too. Especially considering that it’s classified as a Belgian Strong Dark Ale with an ABV of 10.5%!!!! I still sipped though. I believe that it would be a great accompaniment to a cold Winter’s eve for sure. Have you guys ever tried the Unibroue La Terrible? If so, what did you think of it? Please, leave a comment and tell me of your experience if you’d like.

Thanks for checking back in on another review folks. I really appreciate it.

Until next time. Cheers.

Score: 4.15 out of 5

Grade: A-

Review of Dieu Du Ciel Péché Mortel

22 Jun

Hello everyone. Thanks for checking back in on another craft beer review. For today’s drinking pleasure I’m going to be sampling the Péché Mortel made by the Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

This brew has been reviewed by a ton of people and it always receives great praise, therefore I figured I’d toss in my two cents worth as well. If you recall, I love Coffee Stouts, so I’m excited about trying this one.

The website, dieuduciel.com, had this bit of info for us.

Péché Mortel (French for “Mortal Sin”) is an intensely black and dense beer with very pronounced roasted flavours. Fair trade coffee is infused during the brewing process, intensifying the bitterness of the beer and giving it a powerful coffee taste. Péché mortel is brewed to be savored; we invite you to drink it in moderation.

Let’s do this.

This brew came in an 11.5 oz. bottle and it possessed an ABV of 9.5%.

It poured jet black. No highlights at all were seen. It had a super sized khaki colored head that was smooth, extremely creamy and soft. The retention time was astounding and the lacing was fantastic. Simply, a very inviting and beautiful looking beer.

The bouquet dispensed a very pleasant fresh coffee bean waft accompanied by tones of dark chocolate. Lighter hints of sugary molasses and earthy tones added some intricacy while an appropriate level of alcohol was found deep within. Nice.

The taste seemed to be more espresso like rather than straight coffee. Savors of roasted grain and malt were discovered as well. A splash of vanilla was exposed as it began to warm. More of the sugary molasses was ascertained also, however the bittersweet dark chocolate seemed to be muted somewhat. It was still there, but it wasn’t as strong an aspect as it was in the fragrance.

The mouthfeel was full bodied. Dry, chewy, smooth and a tad bit chalky. The carbonation was medium to low. A solid shot of warmth was felt, due to the alcohol, at the back of the throat and on into the belly. An excellent amount of flavor was left drenching the palate after each sip too.

Well, I thought this to be a very, very, very nice and enjoyable beer. Definitely one of the better Coffee Stouts out there in my opinion. Obviously, this is more of a “cool weather sipper”, yet I would recommend it no matter what time of year it was if you have yet to taste it and you saw it in the bottle shop. Without a doubt, I’ll seek it out again. Have you guys tried the Dieu Du Ciel Péché Mortel? What did you think of it? Is it one of your favorite Coffee Stouts? Feel free to leave a comment and tell me of your opinion if you would like.

Thanks for reading everyone. I really appreciate it.

Until next time. Cheers.

Score: 4.3 out of 5

Grade: A

Review of Unibroue Grand Reserve 17 (2011)

18 Nov

How’s it going everyone? Well I hope. Thanks for checking back in on another craft beer review. Today, I’m going to be trying the Unibroue Grand Reserve 17 (2011) produced by the Unibroue Brewery located in Chambly, Quebec, Canada.

I’ve been looking for this brew for awhile now and when I finally saw it the other day I had to pick it up and give it a go.

From the website, unibroue.com, we find this bit of info.

Inspired by the great Belgian brewing tradition of Trappist monks established over the centuries, Unibroue 17 was first brewed in 2007 to celebrate our brewery’s 17th anniversary. However, the overwhelming success of this specialty brew made it obvious that we could not let such a great ale slip into the anonymity of retirement.

As testimony to it’s remarkable flair profile which increases in complexity as it ages, the original batch bottled in 2007 was awarded an international platinum medal three years in a row, and the prestigious title of “World’s Best Dark Ale” when it was well past three years in the bottle!

So in 2011, we proudly brought back this French Oak aged, bottle refermented dark ale, with the “Grande Réserve” appellation as a fitting endorsement of it’s exceptional quality for aging. Brewed only once a year, in limited quantities, and individually numbered “brasseur” bottles, this is truly a flavorful delight for the specialty beer enthusiast.

Let’s get this baby poured. Bottle #96311.

This brew has an ABV of 10.0% and it comes in a 25.4 oz. bottle.

It poured a dark burgundy color with a few shimmers of ruby outlined along the edges. It formed a full, kind of soapy and fizzy, khaki colored head. It maintained its size very well and it produced some very nice lacing as it subsided back into the liquid.

The bouquet presented some sugar with touches of overripe banana and spicy clove. A hint or two of bittersweet chocolate and raisin added some depth whilst a light whiff of Belgian yeast revealed itself after a moment. A very minor, subdued aroma of wood was found buried deep within. All in all, quite restrained, but very, very well balanced, harmonized and pleasing.

The taste let those dark fruits jump out a lot more and they become more refined and defined. Raisins, dates and figs were all found. More Belgian yeast too. Very, very nice I must say. The banana savors all but disappeared and the chocolate became more of a complimentary flavor also. The spicy clove and even a bit of peppery bite meshed well with the overall profile. The woodiness, like in the smell, was mild and favorable and helped “round” everything off. A beautiful taste with this beer in my opinion.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied. Quite smooth, dry, chewy and slick. The carbonation was about perfect and a bit of heat was generated from the 10.0% ABV. A very nice drenching of flavor was left behind on the palate after the swallow as well.

Well. Unibroue has produced a very nice beer with the Grand Reserve 17. I’m so glad I got to try it. Granted the nose was a bit gentle, however the appearance, flavor, mouthfeel and drinkability made up for it. I think this brew is definitely worth a try if you can find a bottle. I should have picked up two!!! Oh well, too late now I guess. I could easily see myself sitting with this on a cool night while reading a book or jamming out on the guitar. Did you guys get the chance to try it? What did you think? Leave a comment and tell me your opinion if you’d like.

Thanks for reading everyone. I really appreciate it.

Until next time. Cheers.

Score: 4.3 out of 5
Grade: A