Trader Joe's 2009 Vintage Ale
Trader Joe's Brewing Company

Trader Joe's 2009 Vintage AleTrader Joe's 2009 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:
3.82 | pDev: 15.97%
Reviews:
96
Ratings:
131
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 12, 2016
Added:
Dec 12, 2009
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  19
No description / notes.
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Ratings by FatCaster:
Photo of FatCaster
Reviewed by FatCaster from Washington

3.43/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
I was a big fan of last year's Ale, so this has got some big shoes to fill.

A-Opaque black with a thick, lingering tan colored head. Bubbly but not foamy.

S-Yeast, brown sugar, dried apples.

T-Not really sure how to describe this...dark fruit or berry flavors with a slight bitter coffee taste. Perhaps a bit of citrus. You get a touch of the alcohol that lingers in your mouth. Pretty good, but not as good as last year's.

M-Not as thick as you'd think, burns a bit in the back of the throat.

D-Not super drinkable, but I'll still work my way through this bottle. Flavors are a bit too conflicting to be a volume drinker. Probably more of a sipping beer.

I'd pick it up and try it if you liked last year's, and I might get a bottle or two to age. It's still a hell of a deal. But it's not as good as 2008.
Dec 13, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.38 by RBorsato from Virginia

Oct 12, 2016
 
Rated: 2.75 by duceswild from Heard & McDonald Islands

Feb 13, 2016
 
Rated: 3.03 by mendvicdog from Maryland

Dec 08, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Howlader from Canada (AB)

Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by mattvandyk from Michigan

Jan 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Falcone from North Carolina

Jul 16, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by PhotoMattT from New Jersey

Jul 11, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by Khutso from Massachusetts

Jun 25, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by Doogermeister from Illinois

Jun 08, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by Stef422 from Illinois

May 26, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by campfirebrew from New York

Apr 04, 2013
 
Rated: 5 by Snodman from West Virginia

Mar 24, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by nzerbe from New York

Mar 04, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by t0rin0 from California

Mar 03, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by e30todamax from Virginia

Jan 25, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by djrn2 from New Jersey

Jan 07, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by ctenidae from Massachusetts

Jan 06, 2013
Photo of Rukasu
Reviewed by Rukasu from District of Columbia

3.98/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Continuing a tradition of opening these 3 years aged, perhaps waited a little long on this one. Stored in a dark area, refrigerated a day before opening.

A - Dark cola color with a light tan one finger head that diminishes to a thin lace on the surface.

S - Sweet candied fruits (pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, mango), caramel, pine, yeast.

T - A little musky with aging, but still a pretty good tasting brew. Sweet candied fruit tastes come through in the taste as well. Lots of pineapple and other tropical fruits. A bit of traditional holiday spices, orange, pine, cloves. Roasted malty aftertaste.

M - High alcohol leaves mouth a bit dry, but balances well with the sweetness of the beer.

O - Not bad despite the overaging. Unibroue rarely makes a bad beer and this one certainly stands up to the years, pleasant end of the year drink.
Dec 30, 2012
 
Rated: 5 by cowboy83 from New York

Nov 18, 2012
Trader Joe's 2009 Vintage Ale from Trader Joe's Brewing Company
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 131 ratings