Unibroue ‘Trois Pistoles’ Belgian Quadrupel

Rating:

13532915_533793633471453_6676240670926713451_n“Trois Pistoles (Three Coins) is named after a small village of Quebec. Founded over 300 years ago, Trois Pistoles gave birth to several legends, including one about the Black Horse. It involved a local bishop who conjured up a good devil (appearing in the form of bridled black steed) to haul large brick stones to construct a new church. When someone accidentally removed the bridle, the black horse suddenly vanished just as the last remaining stone was to be set. This stone is still missing, as can be seen when visiting the local church.”

Served in a wide-rimmed chalice. The deep mahogany pour whips up a substantial but rapidly desolving head that settles to a halo with minimal lace clinging to the glass as it ebbs. The aroma is really complex and rich in dark malts and sweetness. There isn’t really one dominant scent, just a multitude of luscious layers of caramel, ginger bread, rum, toffee, chocolate, fig and nougat. There is an interesting sharpness, or acidity if we can call it that, similar to a pomegranate tartness but sweeter like glazed cherries. To sum up it smells like an alcoholic black forest cake in our glass. Just divine. For such a moreish aroma the mouth feel is actually quite light and approachable. The body is medium with a well contained warmth from the alcohol (9%). A slightly higher than usual carbonation adds another unique trait to this Quad. Drinks surprisingly well. The front palate is uber sweet. Tonnes of sweet malts, Belgian candy sugars, cherry and raisin with a spicy and warming rum accent in support. As it flows through the mid we get a slightly doughy flavour. Ginger bread maybe? Earthy fig and hints of banana runts present before it’s punctuated by an extremely sweet, yet malty finish that really goes the distance on the rear palate. Complexity is the name of the game here. Layers of rich malts, Belgian yeast and earthy hops all fuse together to produce this brilliant and extremely intricate Quadrupel. These French-Canadian brewers could easily rival any Belgian Abbey brewery with this. Delicious, we really liked it.