Unibroue La Résolution: Brewed in Quebec, this Begian style dark spiced ale was released around the Christmas season, but I decided to wait in it as early reviews indicated that it was quite potent in the spice department. Like all beers from Unibroue, it is re-fermented in the bottle for natural carbonation (aka “ale on lees” on the label description) and it comes in at a strong 10% alcohol by volume level.
Aroma and Appearance: It pours with a dark reddish brown colour with a few rising bubbles on the side of the glass and about 3 fingers of thick foam. The aroma gives out wafts of ginger and clove on top of sweet dark plums smothered in allspice.
Flavour: Even after sitting for 6-8 months, the ginger and gingerbread is very prominent upfront. After the initial gingersnap, La Résolution highlights a spiced plum middle with hints of cardamon, anise, winter spices and dark boozy fruits while finishing with simple pepper and cloves to wrap it up as it goes down.
Overall Impression: I’m glad I let it mellow, fresher this would have been too spiced for me and I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much. However at this point it was mellow enough and I think it could possibly get better with more age.
Rating: I give it a very good rating of 7/10, if you are a fan of heavily spiced beers drink this fresh, if not let it sit for a year and drink it next Christmas.
Food Pairing: Left over fruit cake from last year’s Christmas or a cinnamon coffee cake of some sorts would be good.
I recently drank this beer live on our last podcast, please check it out at Pacific Beer Chat
West Coast Beer Geek 