Trader Joe's Vintage Ale (2010 Edition) (Unibroue, Chambly, PQ, Canada)
I'm still "cellaring" my 2009 edition (on the refrigerator door), but I had to bring a nice beverage to a friend's dinner a few weeks back and grabbed the new one. Both 2009 and 2010 are Belgian-style dark ales "on lees" -- somewhere in the neighborhood of a dubbel-brun. And of the various brewers working with TJ's, Unibroue is probably the most highly regarded.
Characteristics: Dark brown and opaque, well carbonated with a thick foamy head, medium body; malty sweet with a balanced cinnamon-pepper finish that hides the 9% ABV veeeerrrry well.
Minor Gripes: Very few. As with any good Belgian, you do need to let this one warm up a little for the whole flavor profile to emerge.
Bottom Line: This is an excellent winter ale that shows remarkable restraint in the face of so much nutmeg and coriander in the world. It's getting very late in the season, but if there's a TJ's near you, it's worth searching for a bottle or two.
Rating: 7.5 / 10
I would like to order a few cases of this ale, please advise.
Dennis, I don't know how one would order cases... best bet would be to contact your local Trader Joe's (since it's a custom batch for them). And now you'll need to wait until November 2011 for the next batch.
Alternatively, you should check out some of Unibroue's own beverages (Maudite, La Fin du Monde, etc.) -- I'm betting that they have something awfully close to TJ's Vintage.