Unibroue 17
Unibroue

Unibroue 17Unibroue 17
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From:
Unibroue
 
Quebec, Canada
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
10%
Score:
93
Avg:
4.16 | pDev: 10.1%
Reviews:
274
Ratings:
349
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Feb 21, 2020
Added:
Feb 12, 2008
Wants:
  12
Gots:
  22
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by JoeMayo:
Photo of JoeMayo
Reviewed by JoeMayo from Massachusetts

3.91/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Unibroue is one of my favorite breweries, but they sometimes are almost too consistent in their styles. I was very excited to see that 17 was such a break from the norm for them.

A- Pours a cloudy dark brown with amber around the edges of the glass. A huge initial head cascades to a light foamy cap and leaves nice lacing down the tulip glass.

S- The smell is very complex, but missing that "yeastiness" that is so common in unibroue's beers. Autumn fruits, namely pears come through accented with fall spices. A cherry aroma is also noted in the beer along with a mild floral hop aroma.

T- I've had lots of beers by unibroue with floral or spicy hop notes, but this is probably the first to have any hop bitterness...and I welcome it! The bitterness is rounded out by a mild sourness (cherry?) and subtle sweet flavors of fruit and spice. The alcohol and malt intertwine in the background, although the maltiness is more prevalent in the aftertaste.

M- Highly carbonated, like most unibroue beers but also relatively rich and very crisp.

D- If the alcohol was masked just a little better, it would be easy to go for a second one, but it's still very refreshing and enjoyable.
Aug 22, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.25 by kjkinsey from Texas

Feb 21, 2020
Photo of Cramshawbar
Reviewed by Cramshawbar from Canada (ON)

2.74/5  rDev -34.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Gross. It may be an attempt at Belgian style, but by deciding to load it with nutmeg, they killed all other flavours and shot themselves in the foot in the process.
Only about a $1 cheaper than St. Bernardus, which is ridiculous. They are worlds apart.
Stay away.
Nov 16, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by RBorsato from Virginia

Jan 17, 2018
 
Rated: 4.18 by user785335 from Florida

Dec 03, 2017
Photo of Lucular
Reviewed by Lucular from Maryland

4.31/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2011 version. Reminds me a bit of Chimay Blue but with added complexities. Full-bodied mouthfeel with low carbonation. Smell and taste highlight dark fruits - raisins, figs, prunes - with some mellow spices.
Oct 10, 2017
 
Rated: 4.41 by impending from California

Jun 28, 2017
Photo of HardTarget
Reviewed by HardTarget from Texas

4.05/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Kept room temp since 2008, sampled 2017.

Appearance: Translucent deep brown glass holds a thin halo of tan spotty foam.

Aroma: Red wine tannin, clove like spice adds a forest herbal note, mild alcohol.

Taste: Well balanced with a sweet start that turns to a dark red wine profile and finishes with an alcoholic slap. There is a hint of brown paper bag oxidation, but I had to go looking for it. The taste profile is big and punchy.

Mouthfeel: Medium light body goes a bit thin and dry in the finish, low carbonation, a bit numbing.

Overall: Picked up a new release of the 17 Grand Reserve so popped this cork after 9 years in the closet waiting it's turn. The alcohol warms rather than burns, but it's heavy handed. I would say this held up rather than improved with age. The house yeast taste is a matter of personal preference.
Mar 18, 2017
 
Rated: 4.16 by wethorseblanket from California

Aug 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by harpus from Alabama

Jul 31, 2015
 
Rated: 3.95 by williamjbauer from Colorado

Jan 16, 2015
 
Rated: 4.93 by MattSharpless from Virginia

Dec 30, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by BDeibs from Colorado

Dec 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4.16 by jzlyo from Iowa

Dec 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by deadliest from Texas

Nov 30, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by a77cj7 from South Dakota

Nov 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by olradetbalder from Sweden

Nov 14, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Cath from New York

Oct 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by JoeMans from New York

Oct 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Hypersomnia from New Jersey

Aug 30, 2014
Unibroue 17 from Unibroue
Beer rating: 93 out of 100 with 349 ratings