Hazy copper colour with amber highlights. The head is beige, frothy-foamy with good retention and some soapy lace. Flavours of real cherries over roasted malts, chocolate malts and decent hops. Wow, you can really smell the Black Forest cake with the mix of cherries and chocolate. Even hints of vanilla. I am a big fan of Unibroue, and I must say - it has been a while since they have surprised me with a brew of this caliber. Will have to cellar a few of these, and hope they do some more of it later.

750ml from Park Royal at Matt's. Pours a dark brown with a beige head. Aroma is cherries and some chocolate. Taste is similar. Great balanced from the acidity and sweetness stand point. Really nice.

Another big beer from Unibroue graces the shelves of beer stores across Canada, and I being a sucker for these things just can't help but buy one to try it out first. Now hey, what was that hotel I stayed at in Montréal back in the day when I first drank a Raftsman? Ah durn't remembah. This pours with classic Unibroue poise, good head pushing up in a chalice and muddy brown body, real thick and juicy just like I like 'em. The aroma is interspersed with carbonation and has plenty of sweet cloying cherry, caked up barley, pumpernickel, cherry throat lozenge character. The flavour is like an overcharged Kriek with fresh cherries and then a huge over-chocolate barley backend. Dessert beer for sure. Sweetness works in its favour, liqueur similarities if not for the strong carbonation angle. Lingering chocolate like a fine pillow decoration. A little bit cloying if drank too quickly and incredibly rich, requires slowing down immensely on your sipping schedule to savour this. Otherwise the big beer comes through again; not to say that the small beers don't deliver, but few pack the whallop like these dudes which means that crack over the head makes one remember. And you'll need it to wake up after a bottle of this.

Bouteille de 750 ml. Au premier nez, on sent tout de suite la levure typique Unibroue accompagnée de notes de cerises, de cannelle et de clou de girofle. Levure expressive et typiquement Belge accompagnée de notes de roti aux allures de café. Une généreuse mousse de type crème à raser, persistante, recouvre ce liquide brun aux reflets rubis, clair et fort effervescent. En bouche, c'est pétillant, chaleureux. Les notes de cerises ressortent sur fond d'épices et accompagnées de chocolat, de mélasse, de muscade. L'alcool est bien établi. Un excellent produit, riche et savoureux. Une bonne bière de Noël.