I have crossed back over the Atlantic to our mounted neighbors of the North in the Province of Quebec, Canada at the brewery Unibroue.  I have procured a very special dark offering from them known as “La Terrible”, a little menacing don’t you think?

Appearance: The bottle is a stark black with Terrible simply scripted with a silver background.  I am intrigued at its simplicity.  It is a bottle REfermented Belgian style strong dark ale on the Lees.  A caged cork tames the beast within.  I am serving chilled in my big Duvel tulip.  A careful pour yields a massive, rocky head.  The liquid beneath is a permanent midnight.

Smell:  bing cherries, candied figs, molasses, and a hint of over ripe banana.  A great spicy, fruity bouquet.  I bet as I let it warm up it will evolve into new aromas.

Taste: rich and deep.  There is that hint of banana peel in the finish.  Sour cherries tickle the taste buds.  The 10.5% ABV taste is virtually none existent giving way to a velvetiness.  A second pour to top it off produces thousands of tiny little beads in the head, very nice looking. 

This is one fabulous brew from Unibroue and can be appreciated by any Belgian ale lover.  I am not sure if it is readily available from ABC as this was a generous gift from a friend but I am sure if you ask the manager or beer expert of the store nicely, he or she can probably locate some of this sweet nectar. 

Of course, Unibroue has other fantastic offerings: ask one of us to recommend one to your tastes.

Adam Shugan is store manager at our Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala store