Trader Joe's 2013 Vintage Ale
Trader Joe's Brewing Company

Trader Joe's 2013 Vintage AleTrader Joe's 2013 Vintage Ale
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From:
Trader Joe's Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
9%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.81 | pDev: 11.29%
Reviews:
57
Ratings:
268
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 03, 2023
Added:
Nov 16, 2013
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  40
Contract brewed by Unibroue.
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Rated: 3.38 by RBorsato from Virginia

Oct 03, 2023
 
Rated: 3.73 by ackeeper from Illinois

Apr 16, 2018
Photo of Beginner2
Rated by Beginner2 from Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Rated from memory. But, enjoyed.
OA: contracting this brew to one of North America's best specialists in the Belgian tradition is a very smart for TJ
Mar 08, 2017
Photo of SaltofOH
Reviewed by SaltofOH from Ohio

3.46/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottle BB 8-1-16. DFH Tulip.

A: pours a dark brown with some light penetrating at the edges. 1 finger sandy ran head. Ample visible carb. at the edges.

S: lighter expression than the 2012. Less pronounced grape phenols; more floral phenolic and carrying a bit of malt roast. A touch of rocky/flinty and herbal notes.

T: arrival carries a slight tartness, an almost citrus touch. This tastes significantly lighter than the last BSDA I remember, and more like a Belgian brune. Malty and floral across mid-palate; lightly phenolic. Turning into a little caramel and milk chocolate. Lingering phenols and malt character.

M: full-bodied but highly carbonated, so it feels lighter. Alcohol is well hidden (dangerously so). Slightly slick finish.

O: to me this seems like a very light take on the style, even relative to prior years. Granted I had a couple of stouts earlier, but this tastes so light and citrusy by comparison, and does not have the grape/bubblegum I typically associate with the beee and the style.
Feb 04, 2017
Photo of mschrei
Reviewed by mschrei from Illinois

4.31/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into wine glass. Dark with mild carb and lacing. Nose and taste are similar-sweet Belgian characteristics with mild tangy raisin notes. Sweet with a light feel for a 9 % abv. I love Unibroue and I used to frequent Trader Joe's, and they go great together with this one.
Jan 17, 2017
Photo of q33jeff
Reviewed by q33jeff from New Jersey

3.2/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
**
05/07/2014
AROMA: yeast and smoke. Dark fruits, licorice.
LOOK: Brown-black color. Small white head. Head lasted.
TASTE: sour cherry, Belgian Wang is prevalent.
FEEL: Lively beer.

Better than 2011 from what I remember.

**
Jan 04, 2017
 
Rated: 3.82 by barnzy78 from Illinois

Dec 25, 2016
 
Rated: 4.03 by heerboth from Pennsylvania

Dec 25, 2016
 
Rated: 3.47 by cb8282 from Michigan

Dec 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4.14 by npachl from Wisconsin

Aug 04, 2016
 
Rated: 3.87 by AD17 from New Jersey

Apr 26, 2016
Photo of ONUMello
Reviewed by ONUMello from Ohio

3.77/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
750ml bottle poured into a snifter
A: Pitch black with a 1+ finger head that slowly settles
S: Plum, toffee, yeast, cherry
T: Largely matches the nose. Plum/toffee/cherry most prominent, adds some yeast & grapes. Still good but likely better a year ago
M: Medium-bodied, a bit of alcohol shows through
O: A decent Belgian Strong, fits the style well but likely better earlier
Mar 18, 2016
Photo of Lingenbrau
Reviewed by Lingenbrau from Oregon

3.24/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Side-by-side with '12-'15. My personal least favorite. Seemed slightly infected (if that's even possible) with overcarbonation, and slightly cola flavored. Even so, it was still good. Cheers!
Jan 20, 2016
 
Rated: 3.29 by chicagoish from Pennsylvania

Jan 17, 2016
Photo of chinchill
Reviewed by chinchill from South Carolina

3.89/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
750 ml bottle with a Unibroue cork and cage seal served in a Sierra Nevada glass. BB date of 1 August 2016.

Popping the cork produced a slowly rising foam that just barely extruded out the top of the bottle. Likewise, a very large head rises above the dark reddish brown body, even with a gentle pour. Clear but nearly opaque in the glass.

Excellent mouthfeel with a creamy smooth feel, but with a touch of astringency in the finish.

The aroma is spicy, yeasty and, unfortunately, a bit musty. This musty note largely disappears upon tasting, where dark fruits and dark spices come to the fore in a complex array of spice, yeast, grain and fruit notes.
Jan 08, 2016
Photo of HopsAreDaMan
Rated by HopsAreDaMan from Missouri

3.99/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Two years old at D&P's Christmas Eve during a vertical with the '14 and '15. This was the favorite, as it was less carbonated and more complex.
Dec 29, 2015
Photo of Huhzubendah
Reviewed by Huhzubendah from District of Columbia

3.43/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Bottle shared by Miller. Thanks man.

Dark brown body with a fizzy beige cap. Aromas of sweet Belgian yeast, lots of spice to ring in the holiday season. Alcohol, raisins, plums with pronounced spice and yeast character. Mild burn in the finish.
Dec 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.89 by mjpolzin from Wisconsin

Dec 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.82 by target88 from Kentucky

Nov 22, 2015
 
Rated: 4.41 by Hopmarc from Illinois

Nov 11, 2015
Trader Joe's 2013 Vintage Ale from Trader Joe's Brewing Company
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 268 ratings