Trader Joe's Vintage Ale 2006
Trader Joe’s Vintage Ale is a dark Belgian style beer of great distinction produced by traditional top fermentation methods resulting in a rich and full-bodied flavor. The Champagne-like effervescence and smooth mouth feel are the result of a natural secondary fermentation in the bottle obtained by the use of a carefully selected yeast culture. This vintage ale commences with a rich head of foam, followed by a smooth dark flavor with a hint of roasted malt delicately balanced by subtle notes of noble European hops. True to its Abbey style, this year’s vintage closes with a long, complex and subtly spiced finish. Brewed once a year in limited quantity, please enjoy Trader Joe’s 2006 Vintage Ale. This ale will age exceptionally well over time, developing more complex flavor as the years go by. Exclusively bottled for Trader Joe’s. Best Before 08-28-2009.
3.6
218 reviews
Monrovia, United States
Community reviews
(750ml bottle thanks to ericandersnavy, side by side with every vintage from 2005-2009, this was #1 in my ratings) clear brown with a very long lasting head. Nose of Belgian yeast, spices, brown sugar, sherry and raisin. Taste of cinnamon, Belgian yeast, sweet chocolate, nice raisiny finish.
bottle, thanks to boomer,, dark brown pour with a bright eucalyptus vaporub aroma, herbal , winey flavors cola finish
bottle thanks to boomer0813. poured a deep brown almost black with a cream head. yeast, dried fruits, caramel, and syrup. yeast up front, dried fruits, caramel, mostly apple, and a slight sherry flavor as well.
Aged 3 years- wish I had tried this back in ’06 so I could compare to this 3-yr version. At Al & Sue’s. Pours a very thick brown, still active foamy head. Aroma is super sweet- rich toffee, malt, caramel. Thick, syrupy body- more sweet malt, caramel, spice. Even some mint...I thought I was crazy picking that up, but I see the reviewer below me also picked it up too. Would have thought this one would have dried out more after 3 years, but this got way more sweet, almost cloyingly so. May have let this sit too long, was almost 5 months past it’s "best by" date of August 2009. May have to drink my 2007 within the next few months too...
750mL bottle from cbkschubert, thanks Craig. About 2.5 years old at this point. It pours with a bubbly head that looks akin to an infected beer pour. The color is dark brown, cannot see through it. The aroma is very weird, its is crazy herb, almost oregano-like but it seems to be coming off the yeast and the age. Watery black bread after that as well. Flavor comes off that way as well, maybe some wintergreenl. A bit of an oily mouthfeel. It can almost come off as possibly infected or just a weird age and yeast combo. As far as other aged Unibroue goes this was very different. No need to sit any longer on this.
In short: A bready and nutty dark Belgian ale with a nice spicy touch. Nice brew.
How: Bottle 750ml. Drank when 2.5 years old (2.5 years after first rating). Sent to me by drewbeerme, thanks a lot Andrew.
The look: Cloudy brown body topped by a small but long-lasting beige head
In long: Nose is Unibroue signature yeast and a light roastiness. The body is full and fluffy with a very lively carbonation, it’s a Unibroue alright. The malts have a strong whole-wheat bread character. Toasted whole-wheat bread, hazel nuts, toffee, caramel, a nice spicy touch and a very light dark fruit presence. No alcohol presence whatsoever. Another nice brew from Unibroue. Being a quebec resident it is really frustrating to have to trade to get the Unibroue exclusive Trader’s Joe brews. It’s Celine Dion’s products I want to be exclusive to the USA.
2006 bottle, aged 3 years. Pours a dark and murky chestnut brown body with a foamy, beige colored head that settles to a small blanket. Pronounced edges of foam leave minimal spotting behind on the glass. The aroma is really inviting, showing notes of spicy gingerbread, cinnamon, molasses, and root beer malts, with hints of vanilla and dry cocoa. Wafts of freshly bloomed jasmine and lavender add soft, floral, perfumy elements that really impress. Flavors show more of the same, with sweet and smoky root beer and cola maltiness being complimented by spicy ginger root and cinnamon, with a raisin bread overtone that just goes perfectly with this brew. Medium-plus in stature, with soft carbonation and a semi-dry, ever so slightly alcoholic finish. This drinks easier than the 9% ABV would suggest. Signature Unibroue in the bready, sweet yeast profile. I don’t know why I always seem to blow this brewery off, because they really do make some good beers. This is no exception.
750ml bottle. Pours dark brown/black with a large tan head. Aroma of yeast and dark fruit. Complex flavor of fruit (raisons, plums, grapes, and citrus) with candy sugar, sweet malt, chocolate, and spice. Medium bodied and lots of carbonation. Similar to Trois Pistoles. A pleasure to drink.
750mL bottle. Poured deep, rich brown with a looser-bubbled cap of beige head. The aroma picked up darker, raisiny fruits, molasses, and brown sugar supporting some lactic notes, earth, and light espresso.. cloves and peppery spicage wafted overhead. The flavor was just as good with earth, semi-sweet chocolate, raisins, and molasses at the core.. vanilla, brown sugar, and coffee extend outward.. finished rather spicy with white pepper and cloves.. warmth comes back after the finish in the nose as well as the belly. Medium-plus bodied with lively carbonation on the palate.. balance was spot on.. very good all the way. Oh.. and Joey’s comment on limes was spot on.. that was a component I couldn’t put a finger on (or words to) when I wrote this out, but it’s all up in the beer.. bit of salt too.
Dark brown in colour with a long lasting brown head, excellent lacing. The aroma is yeasty, malty, some light chocolate, plums and raisins, high sweetness. The flavour is of light alcohol, yeast, plums and is moderately sweet. Sweet mouthfeel, medium body, medium/high carbonation. Finishes long, spicy, sweet and yeasty.
This was better than the 2005 as this is more Unibroue-ish. A light Trois Pistoles.
750ml bottle obtained in a trade with hopdog, thanks Steve.
Opened on July 2, 2008.
Vintage 2006.
750mL bottle from moejuck, thanks Joe! Clear deep brown with a two finger short-lived beige head. Aroma has Unibroue’s yeast--no surprise--with some dark frutis--raisins and prunes come to mind--as well as. . .key lime pie? It’s definitely out of place, but not entirely unpleasant. There’s also some dark candi sugar. Flavor has the key lime still present, but taking a backseat, and some white peppery notes coming forth. Bone dry slightly earthy finish with bitterness peaking around a 2. Moderate prickly carbonation with a medium full body. Another good offering from Unibroue.
Bottled. Dark reddish brown coloured. Fluffy brown pice, berries, light roast and some brown sugar in the aroma. Flavour is spiced, light caramelly and roasty. Has some fruity notes. Medium bodied. Is somewhat medical in the flaovur and aftertaste. Not unpleasant. Ends on a light spiced and fruity note.
Dont hate because its from TJs! Unlike other Trader Joes products (see Chuck, Two Buck) this is actually quite tasty and satisfying. Pours a reddish color with medium off-white head. Flavor of yeast, roasted malt, candi sugar, coriander, and some cherry. Fairly sweet and well spiced. Not bad, not bad at all.
Bottle 75 cl. Courtesy of FlacoAlto. Hazy reddish brown with an off-white head. Very spicy - gingery - aroma. Quite full-bodied with plenty of overripe fruit and again a distinct spiciness. Lightly bitter finish. 291208
Bottle at Madsberg 2008 Tasting. Pours deep red with a medium, frothy, off-white head. Arom ais sweet, liquorice and Belgian sugars. Some coriander as well. High carbonation, fine, creamy mouthfeel still. Flavour has pleasant notes of yeast, plums, sweet sugary notes, Belgian dark sugars and a little liquorice. Actually quite drinkable, and there is not a sign of age.
Dark brown with a large beige head. Aroma was sweet with roasted malt and loads of spices. Sweet flavour with roasted malt, caramel and coriander notes. Finished sweet.
Bottle.
Hazy red brown coloured with a medium sized beige head.
Sweet and fruity aroma of citrus, caramel, yeast and dried fruits.
Sweet and fruity flavour of caramel, coriander, citrus, yeast and dried fruits.
Citric and spicy finish.
75 cL bottle. Pours dark brown with a small off-white head. Mild spiced, light coriander note to a mild roasted malt aroma. Somewhat dark. Smooth roasted malty and medium sweet dark flavoured. Light yeasty touch. Lingering sweet, mild spiced and yeasty finish.
Remarkably surprised with how tasty this was. Had the spices I enjoyed when it was fresh, but had this new layer of sweet tangy cherry. Very carbonated and lively. I wish I had saved more.
Bottle thanks to someone at the Bruery Tasting. Pours a dark brown, nearly black body with an off-white head. Aroma of Cardamon, cinnamon, clove and dark malts. Taste is alcohol, clove, with a nice Unibroue yeast back note. Playful bubbles that come across on the fizzy side of things.
Courtesy of ibrew2or3.
Pours light brown with tan head.
Aroma is fruity, with floral hops.
Taste, dark fruits: fig,plum. Some nice spices make this a very nice and almost sweet beer while the bitetrness remains hidden.
Bottle. Pours a dark brown amber with a one finger off-white head that leaves good lacing. Aroma of dark fruit, caramel, and spicy yeast. Taste is the same as aroma. Medium mouthfeel with a mild amount of bitterness and well hidden alcohol. Very good.
This 2006 vintage, consumed Dec. 2008, pours hazy dark brown with thin off white head. The aroma has muted dark fruitiness, cinnamon, flower perfume, brown sugar and spices. The taste is much the same with a pulse of carbonation bringing up smooth sweet dark fruitiness swimming in a bath of molasses, some varied spices and a mild note of lemon acidity.
Deep brown coloured body with a large brown head. Aroma of malt, raisins and a bit of nuts. Medium-bodied; Fizzy and effervescent feel up front with a larger body taste near the end. Flavours of must, mushrooms, malt and a little bit of hay come into play - with a bit of malt and no hops. Aftertaste shows more must - not much good flavours in this one. Overall, a fairly musty and mild beer with decent tastes - but nothing special. I sampled this 75 cL bottle purchased from Trader Joe’s in 2006, sampled on Thanksgiving on 27-November-2008.
I’m sure that more than a few of you are familiar with a grocers market of sorts by the name of Trader Joe’s. While I am unfortunately deprived of them here in Florida, I was able to enjoy shopping at a few Trader Joe’s while in Oregon. Known for their varied selection of fresh foods, organic, and specialty goods, not all realize that they can and often do carry a nice selection of craft and import beers. Even knowing this, I was pleased to be treated to a bottle of Trader Joe’s 2006 Vintage Ale. Color me surprised because I sure as day didn’t know they had their own beer. Further research revealed that the beers themselves are in some way related to that indomitable Canadian craft brewery, Unibroue. I found this out after tasting the brew within the bottle, but it was still a rather interesting bit of trivia.
My Trader Joe’s 2006 Vintage Ale poured clean and clear black with a nice khaki toned head which left delicate lace along the sides of my glass as she faded into a poufy layer. Her initial mouthfeel after my first quaff is very crisp and carbonated, given me an immediate impression of soda with its fizziness and processed sweetness. Her nose matches the fizzy pop esters along with some warm toasted bread and caramelized sugars. Thankfully her palate tastes nothing like soda pop. A fizziness does linger throughout our entire session, but it doesn’t interfere as much as it could have. Instead, it complements the chewy bready notes that are highlighted by caramel malts, brown spices, and vanilla. Further on, faint chocolates notes come out to play with her friends, adding another dimension to the Trader Joe’s 2006 Vintage Ale. Not much to speak of in her finish which is rather bland and a little lack-luster. I would love to be able to say more about her, but really all that I experienced has been spoken for.
I wouldn’t say my bottle or my tastebuds were off; I was just never bowled over or wholly impressed by the beer. Considering the potential and performance of its parent brewer of sorts, I was hoping for more. Unfortunately for Trader Joe’s, while I may enjoy their quality product selection, beer included, I don’t see myself going out of my way to try this beer again.
My Trader Joe’s 2006 Vintage Ale poured clean and clear black with a nice khaki toned head which left delicate lace along the sides of my glass as she faded into a poufy layer. Her initial mouthfeel after my first quaff is very crisp and carbonated, given me an immediate impression of soda with its fizziness and processed sweetness. Her nose matches the fizzy pop esters along with some warm toasted bread and caramelized sugars. Thankfully her palate tastes nothing like soda pop. A fizziness does linger throughout our entire session, but it doesn’t interfere as much as it could have. Instead, it complements the chewy bready notes that are highlighted by caramel malts, brown spices, and vanilla. Further on, faint chocolates notes come out to play with her friends, adding another dimension to the Trader Joe’s 2006 Vintage Ale. Not much to speak of in her finish which is rather bland and a little lack-luster. I would love to be able to say more about her, but really all that I experienced has been spoken for.
I wouldn’t say my bottle or my tastebuds were off; I was just never bowled over or wholly impressed by the beer. Considering the potential and performance of its parent brewer of sorts, I was hoping for more. Unfortunately for Trader Joe’s, while I may enjoy their quality product selection, beer included, I don’t see myself going out of my way to try this beer again.
I have cellared this a bit, to lose some Unibroue yeast. I guess 2.5 years is only half the objective. Despite this sour mouldy yeast characteristic of Unibroue, the beer was good, well carbonated still though little head on dark. Some sophisticated spicey taste, not overly but quite a nice one.
Bottle from Jimbowood. Thanks Jimbo! Pours nearly black, though some light seeps through towards the edge of the glass. Head is off white with some lacing. Aroma is very spicy with nutmeg and rosemary, dried fruit and sweet malt. Flavor is raisins, dried fruit, and figs, along with the spice. I am very impressed by this.
Tak til Sune for denne øl til klubben. Næsten sort med hvidt skum. Søde frugter, maltbolcher, let gær, kirsebær, rosmarin, nåletræ, lakrids, anis(eller anus, som vi fik det døbt)
Bottle recieved in a trave with drewbeerme THX! Enjoyed at the Shorts tasting with The Club and then some. Pours a clear dark brown with a diminishing white head. Sweet with some dryness. Belgian yeast. Hints of spruce and spice. Also some cherry aromas. Medium body. High carbonation. A good example of a Belgian double.
Bottle at home - thanks to Sune. Almost black - white head. Cherry, berries, fruity, rosemary, pine needles, spicy, sweetness, licorice, anis. Clearly belgian style - very nice !!!