Trader Joe's 2010 Vintage Ale
Trader Joe's Brewing Company

Trader Joe's 2010 Vintage AleTrader Joe's 2010 Vintage Ale
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From:
Trader Joe's Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
9.2%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.79 | pDev: 13.19%
Reviews:
150
Ratings:
231
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 31, 2020
Added:
Nov 19, 2010
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  75
Contract brewed for Trader Joe's. Often brewed by Unibroue.
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Ratings by SpeedwayJim:
Photo of SpeedwayJim
Reviewed by SpeedwayJim from New York

3.36/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to cosmicevan for this one. Poured from a 750ml corked and caged bottle into Lost Abbey stemware. Best before date of 9/10/13. This is actually contract brewer by Unibroue.

A: Cork is almost impossible to eject but when it comes out, there's just a muted pop. Standard pour yields a monstrous 4 finger frothy, foamy, dark purple/brown head with fantastic retention. Beer is a dark, near opaque purple. Lacing is thick and layered and with good cling. Very appropriate for the style though the head is a bit too much.

S: Nose is classic Unibroue... plums, grapes, clove, and Belgian yeast. Excessively sweet and very aromatic. Root beer comes to mind. Could be a bit deeper and there seems to be a hint of soap or some type of cleaning fluid aroma. A little awkward but not bad by any means.

T: Opens slightly ashy and heavy on the spices. Plum and grape juice and puree towards the middle. Very sweet. Clove and more spice towards the end with a Belgian yeast kick. Finish is Belgian yeast and sugar plums with a sweet, almost syrupy aftertaste. There's not a lot going on here but what is present is pretty enjoyable. Again, a bit too sweet though.

M: Light to medium bodied and moderately carbonated. Slightly prickly in the mouth and smooth going down with just a hint of carbonation. Finish is messy with a lingering aftertaste. Pretty standard and just a touch too light.

D: A pretty pedestrian beer overall but very in line with what Unibroue does. All of their offerings seem to very closely resemble each other so this one comes as no surprise. Enjoyable but I wouldn't go out of my way for another.
Mar 16, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.63 by bpkrippner from Missouri

Dec 31, 2020
 
Rated: 3.38 by RBorsato from Virginia

Aug 01, 2016
 
Rated: 3.35 by kdown from California

May 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.66 by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut

Mar 29, 2015
 
Rated: 3.8 by Bogdawg from Massachusetts

Feb 22, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Wiz99 from Minnesota

Nov 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Howlader from Canada (AB)

Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by GClarkage from California

Jul 03, 2014
Photo of Bonis
Reviewed by Bonis from Ohio

4.05/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
So I stumbled upon this beer with a bb date of 9/10/2013 so I figured I better get to it. It has a deep brown color with a touch of red. Lots of fizzy bubbles. This smells a lot like a cola, no joke. Deep notes of sugary prunes and raisins, with hint of vanilla and nutmeg. That signature unibroue yeast aroma is there. The taste mimics the aroma fairly well, but there is a fruit tartness mixed in as well (possibly a sign this has beer has seen better days). I enjoyed this a lot more than I suspected. I've still got a couple 2011s so maybe I'll let one of those go for a few more years and see what happens.
Jun 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by KevMo84 from California

Jun 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by leprechaunandfatman from Ohio

Apr 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by jaydoc from Kansas

Jan 28, 2014
 
Rated: 2.5 by Thesoundandthefury from Washington

Jan 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by cb8282 from Michigan

Jan 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by drbenderdo from Michigan

Jan 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by aaroncom2005 from California

Dec 22, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by phishfoolme from Massachusetts

Dec 17, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by jzeilinger from Pennsylvania

Oct 21, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania

Oct 20, 2013
Trader Joe's 2010 Vintage Ale from Trader Joe's Brewing Company
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 231 ratings