Trader Joe's 2018 Vintage Ale
Trader Joe's Brewing Company

 

 

poured from a 1pt. 9.4 fl. oz. caged and corked brown bottle - best before 9/14/2021

Trader Joe's 2018 Vintage Ale filled my tulip glass with an opaque very dark brown [almost black] body that had red highlights when held up to the light. Atop sat a tan 2-finger foamy and bubbly head. The head dissipated to a ring of light foam. The nose was dominated by roasted malts and a little spice. The taste is a blend of roasted malts [coffee. caramel, toffee] and spice [clove] with enough light hops at the finish to balance. Mouth feel is high-medium, smooth, and has generous carbonation.

Overall, Trader Joe's 2018 lives up to the previous year's Vintage Dark Ales as being flavorful, drinkable and a great value.

from a 750ML bottle w a 9/21/21 best by date.
dark brown with abundant foam.
a rich aroma of caramel and spices.
a lot of light effervescence in the taste. highly carbonated and light textured. a sweet fruitiness up front followed by a lingering very mild bitterness.

a year of age helped open this up a bit.

 

Poured from a corked, caged 650 ml. bottle with a best by date of 09/21/21. Sampled on August 18, 2019. Served roughly 45 degrees.

First things first - there was a whole lot of pressure under that cork. It exploded out of the bottle and flew about 20 feet across the room.

Then, the pour was a handsome looking dark brown color with a lasting, delicate, lacing-leaving tan head.

An array of sensations greet the nose such as dark roasted malts, sage, clove, raisins, plum, and a hint of floral hops. No booze to speak of.

The body is smooth and better than medium but not as full as some in its class. Still bold.

The taste begins with a quick sweet maltiness that is quickly usurped by the spice characters such as clove, sage, and pepper. A wisp of floral zing that leads to a warming, lingering finale. Just delightful.

Appearance: Deep black with big khaki head and lovely lacing.

Aroma: Fruity malts, spices, and yeast co-mingling in an enticing elixir of complexity.

Taste: Wow! Berries and fruit and spices balanced in a really well-rounded body with nice carbonation and a light dryness to finish it all out. A beautiful ale. Standout. I missed a year or two of this always-dependably delicious seasonal brew, but you yourself a favor and grab if you see.

 

 

750 mL corked and caged bottle - split with the Mrs. Served in Tulip glasses. Best before 09-14-21. Date stamp J141814510FL.

Appearance: Very dark brown - almost black. Slow pour to keep the sediment behind gave a huge rocky tan head, that slowly subsided to a persistent 1/8" thick foam across the top. Lots and lots of persistent lacing all over the glass.

Smell: Yeast, hint of cloves, noble hops.

Taste: Very nice blend of spices (nutmeg, cloves), with Belgian fruity esters & yeast flavors, roasted malt, and some noble hops at the finish combined with maybe just a bit of citrus peel.

Mouthfeel: Airy/brisk initial carbonation, nice thickness, with just a bit of a dry finish.

Overall / Drinkability: A beer to savor, but very drinkable. Alcohol was very well hidden. Went well with food (pork chops + apple/saurkraut slaw).

 

 

 

 

Dark rich color, thick head, sticky lacing. The nose is yeasty scones. A sip brings forward figs, plums, and dark berries. Well conditioned, solid carbonation, thick mouthfeel with being over-bearing. The spices give a nice background note. It's long gone from the stores, no doubt, but enjoyed on cold and damp evening.

I agree : Angels ye have have heard on high, tell us to go out and BUY!"