Trader Joe's 2008 Vintage Ale
Trader Joe's Brewing Company

Trader Joe's 2008 Vintage AleTrader Joe's 2008 Vintage Ale
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From:
Trader Joe's Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
9%
Score:
88
Avg:
3.94 | pDev: 8.63%
Reviews:
100
Ratings:
117
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 07, 2018
Added:
Nov 30, 2008
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  11
No description / notes.
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Photo of Ruger_44-Redhawk
Reviewed by Ruger_44-Redhawk from Idaho

3.76/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Interesting beer. Opened an aged 2008 on 10/6/18. The best before date says open before September 2011. After ten years it's not bad. Still has a champagne like fizz when pouring. Appearance has a dark brown Belgian brown ale look. Smell is of Belgian ale. Taste of fizzy light Belgian candied sugar and vanilla. Definitely a beer style I haven't tried before. I prefer Belgian styles and Quadruples but this one is unique and still tastes good ten years later.
Oct 07, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by rodmanfor3 from Vermont

May 25, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by RBorsato from Virginia

Sep 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by GRG1313 from California

Aug 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by PhotoMattT from New Jersey

Jul 11, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Doogermeister from Illinois

Jun 08, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Stef422 from Illinois

May 26, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Snodman from West Virginia

Mar 25, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by nzerbe from New York

Mar 04, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by t0rin0 from California

Mar 03, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by seldomsthirsty from California

Dec 10, 2012
Photo of mountdew1
Reviewed by mountdew1 from New Hampshire

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a chalice. Nice medium brown with a hint of red. Head was thin, maybe 1 finger at best, and left small lacings on the top. Aroma was a roasted malt up front, then switching to a fruity sweet, maybe like plum. Small hint of seasonal spices, nutmeg, cinnamon etc. Taste was mellow up front, shifting to a sweet fruit, then a hint of tangy bitter, before becoming sweet again to finish it up. Range of flavor was complex, however individual portions were more subtle and nuanced. Coated ok, seemed a bit over carbonated on the tongue. Overall definitely seemed to age well, didn't have any fresh to compare it to. ABV definitely seemed to pick up a bit while aging however.
Nov 27, 2012
 
Rated: 5 by cowboy83 from New York

Nov 18, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by beerpadawan from California

Aug 27, 2012
Photo of LiquidAmber
Reviewed by LiquidAmber from Washington

4.04/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Review from 7/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a deep red amber. Moderate off white head fades to thin film with light lacing. Nice Belgian aroma. Mild malt with dark fruits, sharp carbonation up front. Fades to lighter fruit and malt, spices and finishes a bit abruptly with a bit of hop bitterness and an interesting lingering caramel aftertaste. Tastes nice. I regret that I did not record my original comments on this when fresh, although I remember being pleasantly pleased (and bought two cases!). Like other Trader Joe's Vintage beers, time has treated this well. Mellow and tasty.
Aug 02, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by fatbatcat from Georgia

Jul 07, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by MyMagicalPants from Massachusetts

Jun 19, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by Falcone from North Carolina

Apr 05, 2012
Photo of Rukasu
Reviewed by Rukasu from District of Columbia

4.3/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
The New Year tradition continues...

Though not stored in the most optimal setting, the 2008 Vintage Ale is very good some three years on.

Head is thick and cream colored, which reduces to a thin white layer just on the surface.

Color is a deep brown, dark tan. Not as red as other years.

Aroma is fantastic! Very fruity and jammy. Strong hint of apricot and pineapple. Very similar to Muscat or possibly a Vioginer wine.

Taste is equally fruity, with hints of coriander and a 9% warming alcohol that could only go up a couple %'s over the long storage.

Mouthfeel is light with a bit of tartness, though overall flavor is surprisingly fleeting. Slightly bitter finish, but ultimately the flavor is gone in your mouth within a few seconds.
Jan 02, 2012
Photo of accordselux
Reviewed by accordselux from Minnesota

3.35/5  rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured a dark brown that looked red through the light. Head was white and fluffy.

Smelled strongly of the Unibroue house yeast. Tart fruit and flowery smells.

Taste is fairly similar. A bit of spiciness, banana, and fruity esters dominant.

Great carbonation and good mouthfeel.

A basic dubbel; not very exciting. I actually do not prefer the overpowering Unibroue house flavor.
Dec 30, 2011
Trader Joe's 2008 Vintage Ale from Trader Joe's Brewing Company
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 117 ratings