2010 Trader Joe's Vintage Ale

Ace_Club · Jan 10, 2011

Similar to previous year's brews, the 2010 Trader Joe's Vintage Ale is a Belgian-style Dark Ale on Lees. It is black in color with high carbonation. Little to no hop aroma but heavy on spice aroma. Flavor is spicy with a bit of alcohol hotness. A very tasty Belgian-style brew.

Bithead · Jan 10, 2011

Thanks Ace, I scored a bottle of this while in VA for New Years and was wondering if I made a bad decision. I also scored a bottle (last bottle in area) of Bells 10000 while I was there. Can't get either of those beers here in NJ.

Ace_Club · Jan 10, 2011

That sucks about not getting any bottles in NJ. I usually pick up a case of the Trader Joe's ale each year. It's cheap, it's good and it ages very well. I plan to do a vertical in a couple of years beginning with 2008.

shecky · Jan 10, 2011

The Trader Joe's can be found in Jersey. My wife grabbed some for me at the Westfield store. Just FYI.

MeatyPortion · Jan 10, 2011

I had a bottle in early December. I thought it was pretty decent but nothing really spectacular either.

ultravista · Jan 10, 2011

A very good brew, I have a case!

I would love to make something like this? Any recipes?

Ace_Club · Jan 10, 2011

I think most of the character comes from the yeast. You could always use a basic Belgian grain-bill and hopping schedule, harvest some yeast from a bottle of the Vintage Ale and go from there!

Bithead · Jan 15, 2011

Cracked mine open today. Very tasty, I like the spicyness. Not up front.

hroth521 · Jun 3, 2011

Opened one of these today. Ages very well so far. Plenty of body, residual sweet. Crisp bitter hops, not much hop flavor or aroma. Loads of spice though, more ginger and tangerine flavors, less "hot" than when I had one in January. Very nice dark Begian Ale. I have two more. I'll buy a case next year.