Score: 91/100 – Outstanding
From a 750ml bottle (corked & caged) served at cellar temperature into a stemless wine glass. No clear date code on the bottle – classic Unibroue and I wish they changed it.
I think this is a recent vintage (21 or 22) of a past release. In any case, I haven’t had a bad bottle from Unibroue regardless of the age. Some of my favourite cellar-aged brews have been from these guys.
I picked up the bottle recently from a local grocery store. I actually already had this about a month back and decided it’s worth a breview. So here it goes.
Appearance 6/6
The beer pours a clear dark brown (red highlights) with 7cm of creamy, fluffy, tan head which dissipates into a thick cap within 4+ minutes. Good lacing with great head retention. Fantastic appearance!
Aroma 22/24
Strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is perfumy, deep, and sumptuous (hey, it’s on the bottle!)
Prominent sour cherry note is surrounded by medium-low chocolate malt character, mild anise, a hint of earth, a touch of caramel, and perfumy alcohol. A dash of brown sugar and a scintilla of smoky, roasted barley at the back.
The dry nose is round with notes of sour cherries, caramel, spice, and a hint of smoke.
Flavour 36/40
Follows the aroma with strong intensity, good balance, and low perceived bitterness.
The indulgent palate opens up with lovely cherry tartness, alcohol, chocolate malt, and brown sugar making way for a delicious center still remaining focused around the cherries. There’s a charming spice (anise + black pepper) quality which pairs really well with a round caramelly note and mild chocolate cake character. Mild earthy tones, a splash of booze, and a few crumbs of bread crust.
The long finish is balanced and of moderate strength with notes of sour cherries, chocolate malt, alcohol, earth, bread crust, and a wisp of smoke.
Mouthfeel 9/10
Medium body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is somewhat slick and mouth-coating with a bit of fizziness, restrained alcohol warming, and a sweet finish. No astringency or harshness on the palate.
Overall 18/20
Unibroue’s Gâteau Forêt-Noire is an outstanding beer.
Gorgeous looks lead the way into a rich yet nuanced aroma with wonderful layers – even if it doesn’t bring about an image of black forest cake. The cherry is strong with this one and by only looking at the surface, you’ll miss the beautiful complexity that lies beneath it. The malt, yeast, alcohol, and even hops provide an interesting drinking experience worth savouring. Don’t worry, the mouthfeel won’t hold you back by overwhelming your palate.
Having said that, this is a sweet beer and while ample alcohol and cherry tartness cut right through it, this brew may be too much for certain drinkers. In addition, when I shared this with my partner some weeks ago, she found it medicinal. However, if your palate tends to align with mine, then you’re in for a high value treat. Don’t hesitate to roll the dice and get yourself a bottle while supplies last. Cheers!
Beerfection | Craft Beer Reviews | Montreal, Canada 