Quite possibly Canada’s greatest, most distinguished brewer, Unibroue’s complex bottle fermented ales showcase high alcohol content and lusty malt presence. For foremost Don De Dieu, well-balanced adjuncts create buttery burgundy tone, soft fruity current, and floral-spiced white ale souring. Veteran drinkers could be fooled into believing this was an adventurous Belgian ale. That’s how great it is.
Tag Archives: strong ale
(STEENBERGE) BIERE DU BOUCANIER GOLDEN ALE
Despite soft yellow body, delicate silken flow, and ransacked 11% alcohol deluge, lusty orange-bruised cherry-pineapple-peach tang and hop-fueled black-peppered basil-thyme sharpness juxtapose prim clove-coriander spicing. Minor acidity dispels candied malt sweetness, dry quince stint, and white rum hint.
COOPERS EXTRA STRONG VINTAGE ALE
(HEAVYWEIGHT) BALTUS O.V.S. ALE
High-octane 8.2% alcohol volume hidden in muddled barleywine-influenced malt sinew. Mild creamy prune frontage and brown-sugared cocoa powdering lean towards brown ale category ’til banana sweetness adds slender backdrop to orange-soured raisin-fig undertones. Less aggressive than stronger Euro-styled ales.
ROCK ART POOR RICHARD’S ALE
URTHEL TONICUM FINIBOLDHUS ALE
ROGUE MOGUL ALE
ABBAYE DES ROCS GRAND CRU
COOPERSTOWN PRIDE OF MILFORD ALE
HITACHINO NEST NEW YEAR CELEBRATION ALE 2004
Pour slowly creamy-headed, butterscotch-hued, heavily hopped ‘eisbock’ seasonal or risk spillage. Heady 9% alcohol welcomes Scotch malt kick, wintry cinnamon-nutmeg-coriander luster, and marmalade-like mandarin orange-pineapple-mango perfusion. By mild vanilla-maple finish, astringent ester-y grape sourness overwhelms grassy mouthfeel.
ROGUE ANNIVERSARY ALE
Interestingly, original label features friendly caricature of renowned beer critic Michael Jackson. Foamy head and cloudy amber hue welcome strong, heavily alcohol-fueled winner. Sweet Scotch aroma, thick resin-heavy malt palate, pronounced hop briskness, and caramelized mocha nuttiness broaden full-bodied essence.
(VERHAEGHE) DUCHESSE DE BOURGOGNE
Tangy white wined Flemish-styled red ale burrows vinegary acidity below illusions of hard cider, sour citrus, tart cherry, and dry prune. By mid-palate, prevalent green apple overtones invade astringent oaken finish. On tap, barleywine chill recedes to brandied cherry jubilee whisk and cranberry-grape tannin sequel.