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Trois Pistoles
Unibroue
- From:
- Unibroue
- Quebec, Canada
- Style:
- Belgian Dark Strong Ale
Ranked #9 - ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #2,268 - Avg:
- 4.23 | pDev: 10.64%
- Reviews:
- 2,134
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 10, 2024
- Added:
- Oct 31, 2000
- Wants:
- 334
- Gots:
- 823
Drawing on Quebec folklore, Unibroue chose the name Trois Pistoles to honour the city’s historic importance and pay homage to the legend of the Black Horse. Conjured up by a priest to help build a new church, this incarnation of the devil ran off when its bridle was removed. Because construction was still underway when the horse vanished, a stone remains missing from the church to this day.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BuckeyeNation:
Reviewed by BuckeyeNation from Iowa
3.92/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Yeasty brick red with a generous amount of dark bronze (center) and ripe orange (edges). Unfortunately, the head doesn't look anywhere near as good as the beer itself. Ecru in color, it has that somewhat harsh, unsticky texture that neither looks good nor deposits much lace. Or, in this case, any lace.
The nose is enjoyable, but it isn't strong enough or complex enough for this strong, complex style. It's primarily dark fruity, on the order of unsweet dates and dried figs (not dark enough for raisins and not light enough for apples and pears). There's also a moderate amount of an indeterminate, musky spice.
Trois Pistoles is good beer that doesn't blow me away. I'm still waiting for the Unibroue beer that will blow me away. Like most of their offerings, this one is on the lighter side of the style spectrum. Light is appropriate for a witbier or a hefe weizen, but I think BSDAs should be big, bold, spicy, and semi-chewy. That isn't to say that the beer isn't enjoyable, just that it doesn't fit my favored profile for the style.
Sweet and bitter fight to a draw, with spicy fruit maintaining center stage throughout. It isn't as spicy as say... oh, your average Belgian BSDA, but it's no shrinking violet either. The fruit comparison isn't obvious in beer that's this unsweet, but it's there. Dark caramel and even carob notes are present as well.
The mouthfeel is enjoyable if you like light and airy BSDAs rather than full ones. Although the carbonation is finely fizzy when beer first meets tongue, it fades quickly. Again, not my idea of perfection, but someone has to hold down the left edge of the bell curve.
I had high hopes for Unibroue Trois Pistoles. Why, exactly, I have no idea, since nothing that this brewery has yet released (that I've tasted) has lived up to the hype. I've found that the higher alcohol brews (Maudite, La Fin Du Monde, Don De Dieu) have been more to my liking than their lower alcohol counterparts. That said, they still can't hold a candle to the Belgian originals. This is good beer, but it isn't even close to special.
Feb 19, 2006The nose is enjoyable, but it isn't strong enough or complex enough for this strong, complex style. It's primarily dark fruity, on the order of unsweet dates and dried figs (not dark enough for raisins and not light enough for apples and pears). There's also a moderate amount of an indeterminate, musky spice.
Trois Pistoles is good beer that doesn't blow me away. I'm still waiting for the Unibroue beer that will blow me away. Like most of their offerings, this one is on the lighter side of the style spectrum. Light is appropriate for a witbier or a hefe weizen, but I think BSDAs should be big, bold, spicy, and semi-chewy. That isn't to say that the beer isn't enjoyable, just that it doesn't fit my favored profile for the style.
Sweet and bitter fight to a draw, with spicy fruit maintaining center stage throughout. It isn't as spicy as say... oh, your average Belgian BSDA, but it's no shrinking violet either. The fruit comparison isn't obvious in beer that's this unsweet, but it's there. Dark caramel and even carob notes are present as well.
The mouthfeel is enjoyable if you like light and airy BSDAs rather than full ones. Although the carbonation is finely fizzy when beer first meets tongue, it fades quickly. Again, not my idea of perfection, but someone has to hold down the left edge of the bell curve.
I had high hopes for Unibroue Trois Pistoles. Why, exactly, I have no idea, since nothing that this brewery has yet released (that I've tasted) has lived up to the hype. I've found that the higher alcohol brews (Maudite, La Fin Du Monde, Don De Dieu) have been more to my liking than their lower alcohol counterparts. That said, they still can't hold a candle to the Belgian originals. This is good beer, but it isn't even close to special.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by mikeinportc from New York
4.38/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.38/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
BB Date : 10/08/24 . Room temperature to trunk of my car, for about 2 hours, before opening. 45-48F, +/- ?
Clear medium brown, slight yellow tint, with ample, finely-textured light tan head.
Smell is raisin, dried fig, and fresh brown bread.
Taste is slight spiciness (coriander/ allspice/ cardamom?) , a brief woody+nutty note, prune, raisin, hints of cola, & leather, finishing with light bread crust, and some spiciness that is more apparent than in the beginning. Very light kiss of bitterness in the aftertaste.
Feel is medium - surprisingly light for what it is - , initially barely-slick, with moderate, fine, medium-sharp carbonation tingle. Drying aftertaste.
Mar 10, 2024Clear medium brown, slight yellow tint, with ample, finely-textured light tan head.
Smell is raisin, dried fig, and fresh brown bread.
Taste is slight spiciness (coriander/ allspice/ cardamom?) , a brief woody+nutty note, prune, raisin, hints of cola, & leather, finishing with light bread crust, and some spiciness that is more apparent than in the beginning. Very light kiss of bitterness in the aftertaste.
Feel is medium - surprisingly light for what it is - , initially barely-slick, with moderate, fine, medium-sharp carbonation tingle. Drying aftertaste.
Reviewed by Weisenbeer from Ohio
4.2/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.2/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Got this in a brewer variety pack ... In my experience, all this brewer's beers have been top notch ...this one does not disappoint... Caution: Dangerous ABV
Feb 18, 2024Rated by buckthehog from Texas
4/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sweet malt on the nose. Raisin and pumpkin flavor, dark rye bread and molasses.Nice Canadian booty water.
Feb 10, 2024Reviewed by BJB13 from Maryland
4.25/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
750 ml bottle poured into a Tulip.
Best by 11/28/25
L: Clear dark brown, 2” tan head, thick foam has decent retention.
S: Malty nose, chocolate malt, prune, dark sugars.
T: Bread and chocolate malt, dark fruit and alcohol, spices, ginger and clove maybe.
F: Smooth and frothy medium body, enough carbonation to give it some edges.
O: Good, a little boozy which adds a sharpness to it.
Jan 20, 2024Best by 11/28/25
L: Clear dark brown, 2” tan head, thick foam has decent retention.
S: Malty nose, chocolate malt, prune, dark sugars.
T: Bread and chocolate malt, dark fruit and alcohol, spices, ginger and clove maybe.
F: Smooth and frothy medium body, enough carbonation to give it some edges.
O: Good, a little boozy which adds a sharpness to it.
Reviewed by barneyrubble from Colorado
4.71/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.71/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
L-Crazy big light brown head, nice deep chestnut beer color.
S-Raisin, some spice, allspice & caraway & maybe clove, molasses, prune, a bit of sour cream or vanilla yogurt.
T- Irish brown bread (treacle notes) with fruit with all the above nose notes added, some sourish milk yeast vibe but not offensive at all.
F- Heavier side of medium but not cloying, could actually go a bit thicker but I am not complaining.
O- Overall a superb beer and one that I have scored quite high cuz I like it a lot.
Jan 11, 2024S-Raisin, some spice, allspice & caraway & maybe clove, molasses, prune, a bit of sour cream or vanilla yogurt.
T- Irish brown bread (treacle notes) with fruit with all the above nose notes added, some sourish milk yeast vibe but not offensive at all.
F- Heavier side of medium but not cloying, could actually go a bit thicker but I am not complaining.
O- Overall a superb beer and one that I have scored quite high cuz I like it a lot.
Reviewed by Brian50Oshen1 from Connecticut
4.42/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.42/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Amazing! The Belgian yeast is a little much on the back end.
I am sure that this would improve if this Ale were cellared for a year or two.
I've never been able to hold onto Trois Pistoles that long.
Worthy of the Praise it gets
Dec 25, 2023I am sure that this would improve if this Ale were cellared for a year or two.
I've never been able to hold onto Trois Pistoles that long.
Worthy of the Praise it gets
Reviewed by Mugman8 from New York
4.42/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.42/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Opaque dark brown on the pour, with thick beige head and rings of lace. Aroma is very pleasant, spicy bread and currents. Taste is layered -- dried fruits, roasted malts, and banana bread. The finish is slightly boozy, but creamy smooth. This is a fantastic winter brew....very similar in ratings to their Fin Du Monde -- which I also like and rate very highly.
.
Dec 10, 2023.
Reviewed by nasal from Illinois
4.46/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Belgian yeasts and candy sugars, like Fin du Monde, but with the added roasted and toasted malt flavors. It's possible Fin du Monde is sweeter, although I've never tried them side by side. A wonderful treat.
Nov 25, 2023Reviewed by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
4.19/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.19/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
10/19/23 From a mix 6 from the DW!
Look is a an opaque very dark brown. Little to no lacing. Head does not exist
Spicy bread aroma.
Dried dark cherry, bread, raisin and Belgian yeast/spice. Slight sourness that gives the impression of cider. Mineral throughout most of tasting.
Oct 19, 2023Look is a an opaque very dark brown. Little to no lacing. Head does not exist
Spicy bread aroma.
Dried dark cherry, bread, raisin and Belgian yeast/spice. Slight sourness that gives the impression of cider. Mineral throughout most of tasting.
Reviewed by dank203 from New Jersey
3.98/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.98/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a thick brown to black, almost opaque. Thick tan head. Aroma of burnt malts, licorice, dark fruits and spices. Licorice heavy on the palate as well, with a hint of dark chocolate and raisin. Booze surprisingly well hidden. Has some bite in the finish, but smooth.
Oct 16, 2023Reviewed by JayDubTrub from California
4.15/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.15/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Wow. Unibroue may be the most consistently impressive brewery cranking things out at distribution level. Here in NoCal it's 20 IPAs to 1 interesting brew (aka anything other). Trios Pistoles though shocked the palate for near perfect
Sep 23, 2023
Trois Pistoles from Unibroue
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
5260 ratings
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