Unibroue Edition 2004
Review Date 12/31/2004
Try?
Re-buy?
It’s New Year's Eve, 2004 as I type,
and for the past six hours I've been observing the annual rituals. Chinese
Food, of course. And a Three Stooges Marathon. Wouldn't be proper to ring in
a new year without them. And yes, beer. Some may celebrate with champagne,
but for me, it's always beer, albeit a special one like Unibroue Edition
2004.
As I say goodbye to 2004, I think it's fitting to do s with a bottle of a beer that carries the same name. I've had the corked 750ml bottle of 2004 stored safely away since July, when beers of this strength (10.5% alcohol by volume for Edition 2004) first became legal in the Peach State.
But don't fret. Unibroue edition 2004 is a beer aged on lees, meaning it is bottle conditioned with yeast. These beers will usually age out nicely, unlike a Bud or Miller. Hence my storage of the beer, which was admittedly difficult at times. I came close to drinking it on several occasions.
But I couldn't. I had something special planned for this brew. Because while most of you are celebrating 2005 with some bubbly (or perhaps beer), I'm busy celebrating 3000. Have I gone mad? Have I invented a time machine? No, of course. Instead, I've merely met a personal goal and tasted my 3000th different beer by the end of 2004.
Before you get too excited, you should know that others have surpassed that mark long ago. Still, for me, it is a watershed as well as a midpoint to an even higher figure. It was a goal I wondered if I might achieve, yet one that was helped along by the change in Georgia's beer law as well as a rewarding trip to New Orleans.
When I think back on 3000 beers tasted, however, I must reflect on some of my favorite brews and breweries. By any reckoning, Quebec's Unibroue must be among them, and a beer like Edition 2004 is a classic example. Here's why:
Unibroue Edition 2004 pours to a bright orange color with a thick, rocky head formation and a very spicy nose somewhat reminiscent of pumpkin pie. A steady stream of champagne-like bubbles rise from top to bottom of my glass, making the beer a rather apropos one for New Years Eve, I think.
The palate is immediately pleasing to the tongue, with a luxuriant texture and a rich cotton candy flavor. It is slightly sweet, with strong spiciness. I get anisette (licorice), nutmeg, clove, and perhaps even cinnamon. In many respects the beer reminds me of the pumpkin ales of which I am so fond.
Except, of course, for the exotic Belgian yeast flavors which permeate the brew. And of course, the warm alcohol finish. At 10.5%, Edition 2004 is about twice the strength of most beers. Spice is common to the Unibroue line, but this one really screams it. I like it a lot, and I think this is a tremendous beer, perfectly suited for holiday celebrations.
To the point, 2004 is great for ending 2004, but it will age nicely, and can be enjoyed in 2005, 2006, 2007, and beyond. Will it be OK in 3000? That I doubt. But it made a great 3000 for me.
As I say goodbye to 2004, I think it's fitting to do s with a bottle of a beer that carries the same name. I've had the corked 750ml bottle of 2004 stored safely away since July, when beers of this strength (10.5% alcohol by volume for Edition 2004) first became legal in the Peach State.
But don't fret. Unibroue edition 2004 is a beer aged on lees, meaning it is bottle conditioned with yeast. These beers will usually age out nicely, unlike a Bud or Miller. Hence my storage of the beer, which was admittedly difficult at times. I came close to drinking it on several occasions.
But I couldn't. I had something special planned for this brew. Because while most of you are celebrating 2005 with some bubbly (or perhaps beer), I'm busy celebrating 3000. Have I gone mad? Have I invented a time machine? No, of course. Instead, I've merely met a personal goal and tasted my 3000th different beer by the end of 2004.
Before you get too excited, you should know that others have surpassed that mark long ago. Still, for me, it is a watershed as well as a midpoint to an even higher figure. It was a goal I wondered if I might achieve, yet one that was helped along by the change in Georgia's beer law as well as a rewarding trip to New Orleans.
When I think back on 3000 beers tasted, however, I must reflect on some of my favorite brews and breweries. By any reckoning, Quebec's Unibroue must be among them, and a beer like Edition 2004 is a classic example. Here's why:
Unibroue Edition 2004 pours to a bright orange color with a thick, rocky head formation and a very spicy nose somewhat reminiscent of pumpkin pie. A steady stream of champagne-like bubbles rise from top to bottom of my glass, making the beer a rather apropos one for New Years Eve, I think.
The palate is immediately pleasing to the tongue, with a luxuriant texture and a rich cotton candy flavor. It is slightly sweet, with strong spiciness. I get anisette (licorice), nutmeg, clove, and perhaps even cinnamon. In many respects the beer reminds me of the pumpkin ales of which I am so fond.
Except, of course, for the exotic Belgian yeast flavors which permeate the brew. And of course, the warm alcohol finish. At 10.5%, Edition 2004 is about twice the strength of most beers. Spice is common to the Unibroue line, but this one really screams it. I like it a lot, and I think this is a tremendous beer, perfectly suited for holiday celebrations.
To the point, 2004 is great for ending 2004, but it will age nicely, and can be enjoyed in 2005, 2006, 2007, and beyond. Will it be OK in 3000? That I doubt. But it made a great 3000 for me.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
