Trader Joe's 2017 Quinquagenary Vintage Ale
Trader Joe's Brewing Company

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown that is nearly opaque in the glass and a fine two khaki head with great retention and thick lacing. Aroma of light bready malt, spicy Belgian yeast, clove, dark stone fruit and a hint of cinnamon. Flavor is caramel malt, over ripe plums, brown bread, Belgian yeast, and clove. Medium bodied with peppery, active carbonation. I wasn't sure if I should review this after aging in my cellar for so long, but it looked and smelled so good I thought I should give it a shot. Don't know why I didn't try it fresh. I started cellaring these TJ vintage ales in 2009 and found out that a few years gave them a little mellowing, but anything over four years had a drop in the fruit character and that's true here. The malt and basic flavors are good, but the fruit tastes less intense and a little tart. Still quite drinkable and well made, probably tasted very much like the others in the series when fresh; the same profile is here. Looks and smells fine, but the taste is fading. Reminds me to pick one of this year's up again, I've missed them the last few years. Unibroue produces one of TJ's best branded beers here.

 

 

 

poured from a 1pt. 9.4 fl. oz. caged and corked brown bottle - best before 8/31/2019

Before I start my review take caution in opening the bottle! Upon removing the cage the cork forcefully shot out of the bottle hitting the ceiling. So, point away from loved ones/friends - ok to aim at enemies though [lol].

Trader Joe's 2017 Quinquagenary Vintage Ale body is a very dark brown - almost black hue. Atop sat a 2+ finger beige foamy head that reduced to spotty foamy lacing on the walls of my tulip glass. The smell is of dark fruit, roasted malts and sweetness from dark toffee. The taste is very similar to the nose. The flavors from dark fruits like: cherries, plums, and sweetness from the dark toffee dominate. There is also a light spice in the background. Mouth feel is smooth with high-medium body, and a rich dry finish. Carbonation is very lively.

Quinquagenary Ale is a nice flavorful ale that is value priced.

750 mL corked and wired bottle served in a Belgian snifter in April 2019.

Appearance: Very dark brown-black. Durable and creamy light tan head with sheets of lacing, some of which sticks to the glass.

Smell: Dark dried fruits mixed with spices and alcohol plus faint dark bread. Smells too boozy and perhaps over spiced.

Taste: Moderate+ spicing and lightly sweet, with dark bread and dried fruit flavors a bit dominated by the spices.

Mouthfeel: medium+ lively but soft carbonation. Near medium body.

Overall: Another very good vintage of Belgian Dark Ale.

A - Pours dark, mostly opaque brown, with just a bit of transparency around the edges, light tan head, some lacing.

S - Fairly typical spin of dark fruit and bread notes, spun sugar, alcohol and sour grain notes.

T - Pungent hit of sweet fruit, prune and raisin with fresher highlights, bread elements, and slight acidity in the close.

M - Moderate carbonation and soft, easy weight for its size.

O - Another solid year for this TJ mainstay. Love it.

 

 

 

Dark chestnut, dense, tall, beige head, good lace and retention
Dr. Pepper, white pepper, clove, cinnamon, leather, apple skin
Quatre Epice, apple, prune, rum, dark sugar
Light, very effervescent
Pretty good

750 ml (Unibroue) corked bottle. It pours s dark brown with a tan frothy tan head that fades to a ring leaving behind some spotty lacing. Belgian yeast, dark fruit, toffee, banana and clove are the dominate aromas. Flavors match the aroma quite well, becoming more pronounced as this warms. Avery nice sipper, many thanks to John and Lorena for this fine beer.

 

 

 

 

750mL corked and caged bottle, shared with the Mrs. My portion in a Tripel Karmeliet glass. Best before 09-06-20. Batch# J06172124QFL.

Appearance: Very dark brown (just about black) with some mahogany highlights when held up to the light. Initial 1/2" rocky light tan head that very very slowly died back to a thin persistent foam. Some islands and strands of persistent lacing.

Smell: Yeast, a tiny bit of phenol, nutmeg, and a bit of fruity esters and licorice with a swirl.

Taste: Lots of flavors. A biscuit-like malt, spices (nutmeg mostly), stone fruit, yeasty notes, leafy hops/noble hops at the finish along with a bit of licorice.

Mouthfeel: Good carbonation, airy, with just a tiny bit of stickiness. Dry finish.

Overall / Drinkability: A very good ale. Very tasty, highly aromatic, and went well with butternut squash mac and cheese & salad. I think this would have paired great with a burger or something meaty as well. Definitely one of the better versions of this annual ale that Unibroue makes for Trader Joe's.