Trader Joe's 2014 Vintage Ale
Trader Joe's Brewing Company

 

Red-tinted dark brown with three fingers of light tan head that last a fair while and leave good lacing. Some slight gushing upon opening.

Wood, clove, spruce, chocolate and plum in the nose.

Toffee, nougat, prune, leather and Belgian yeast are added to those in the taste. There’s a slight vegetal quality hidden beneath the chocolate and fruit. Warming alcohol present on the backend.

Medium bodied with strong carbonation.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say this is past it’s prime. You can sort of pick out the ghost of a good beer here, but the fruit, chocolate combo is too sweet, medicinal and plum pudding-ish and has also picked up some off-flavor I don’t believe was intended. I wouldn’t rate it if there wasn’t this year-specific line, as I’ve always enjoyed these fresh. If anyone wants to know what the 2014 vintage taste like at Christmas 2018, these notes may still be useful. Drink em if you’ve got em!

750 mL bottle into a tulip

Not going to go through a full review, as I've reviewed different vintages of this brew before.

Couple of comments on the aging of the brew, as I've just busted this out from storage. Flavors are tamed and sort of linear. Phenols are still distinct, but the medicinal aspect has died down. Still a 'cherry' brew overall, and bubblegum-y, but overall more quadfable, sweet and soda-like.

Not my favorite example of the style, but it's always fun to try robust beers like this several years in a cellar.

 

 

 

Held this for two years. Worth the wait. Melded better than when new.
My only issue with 2014 is true of most Unibroues, I prefer less carbonation.

This one has been in storage for a few years. Pours a very dark, almost black with a decent cream head that doesn't last. Nose features dark fruit and yeasty esters.

The taste seems simple at first but hits several levels of complexity on its way. Big chocolate malt note at the front, followed by a fruit wine interlude and a sweet coffee toned finale. Texture is a little thinner than I would like and carbonation a little high but the result is still very smooth in the finish.

 

750 ml bottle with a July 2017 BB date, that's been cellared for about 2.5 years. Brewed by Unibroue , as indicated on both the bottle and cork. Served in a Belgian snifter.

Clear dark brown but pours essentially black with a tan head that's shorter and a bit more fizzy that it should be. The medium-high carbonation is obvious but not objectionable in the feel of the medium-full body.

Aroma: dark dried fruits, especially raisins, and a hint of chocolate.

Flavor: rich and fairly strong; dominated by raisins, prunes, figs and other dark dry fruits. Some alcohol esters but rather well hidden alcohol. Near equal bitter-sweet balance.

 

 

 

Appearance: Almost black, with a decent tan foam and no lace.

Aroma: Fruit, specifically grapes and dark fruit, dried and aged like raisins. Pretty good.

Taste: Delicious! Complex grape tannins, with a wine-like character, some tobacco, some chocolate hints, and a light sweetness that complements a smooth, crisp dryness that finishes with a pleasant warming. Superb!

 

 

 

Side-by-side with '12 through '15. Second best of the bunch, but no matter what, always a winner and something to look forward to every year. Cheers!