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 jamex:
Photo of jamex
Reviewed by jamex from California

3.14/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3
Wow, what a steal at $4.99. Bottle states 9.0% ABV. Brewed by Unibroue.

I had a heck of a time trying to pull the cork out. Had to resort to pliers. (EDIT: second bottle was also impossible to pull off by hand - grabbed pliers again).

Pours a nice, dark coffee. I poured a bit aggressively which gave me quite a head. Pour this guy gently. Let the head settle for 2-3 minutes which allowed the beer to slightly warm (I'm in San Diego and poured this outdoors).

Smells of a typical Belgium beer with some added dark fruits and dark wine. Some booziness as well.

Tastes like the smell; like a tripel with dark hints of fruit and perhaps banana.

The bottle states that this beer improves with age, and at $5 a bomber I might pick a few up and see. Definitely worth a five spot. (EDIT: Not sure I'd buy this again after the second bottle).

EDIT: I had to edit this because upon trying a second bottle, it was a bit of a mess. WAY over carbonated (almost like champagne) and the taste was a bit off. Maybe they are having consistency issues - who knows.

EDIT x2: Third bottle (a gift) and WTF - way over carbonated again. Meh.
Nov 21, 2010
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