I've been a slacker when it comes to winter/holiday/Christmas beers this year. I love Anchor Steam's, Anderson Valley's Winter Solstice, Lost Coast's Winterbraun, etc. I just haven't bought those because I've been sick and not drinking. When I do buy beer, I want new ones. Ninkasi's Sleigh'r was delicious and I still have Full Sail's Wreck the Halls in my refrigerator...
Ok, got it open. I remember last year I really enjoyed the Trader Joe's Vintage Ale. This year, I have high hopes. I've always found it funny that a Canadian brewery brews this for Trader Joe's (a company based in the United States). Either way, as I said I have high hopes. My only qualms with last year's brew was that it gave me a weird indigestion feeling and/or heartburn about fifteen minutes after I finished it...every single time. I hope it doesn't do that this year. Anyways, let's get to the brew. It pours a deep, almost murky-looking, brown with practically no translucence. It possesses a nice dark tan head that remains and laces the glass as well.
It smells absolutely as I expected it would. Lots of spice and sweetness to the aromas. I get orange peel, lots of banana, nutmeg, a dash of cinnamon (only a dash), and sweet malts. It tastes just as it smells actually. Citrus notes, lots of banana, spices, and sweet malts. I understand that this is a rather short review, but I really do not have much more to say about it. Medium-to-slightly-full-bodied ale with a plethora of flavors. Luckily I bought three more of them. Two are aging until next year and I will probably open my last 2009 Vintage Ale and see how that has changed. I remember last year's had a lot of black licorice notes to it which seem to be absent this year. Major plus! Even established companies, such as Unibroue, recognize and make changes to yearly seasonal brews. These changes provide for a new experience every year with a beer you might not expect to change at all. This is also another reason why the world of beer will never cease to interest the beer lovers in us all. Go to Trader Joe's, spend the $4.99 and get yourself one of these boys. Ranking in at 9% ABV, this fella will warm you on that cold winter evening.
*****UPDATE******
Heartburn/Indigestion again in 2010.
