The beer socials at Tap & Mallet are always a good time with fantastic hosts and great pours, but I tend to not choose this event because there are always a million people huddled around a couple of tables and I simply don’t have the luxury of showing up at 6pm to get a table for the 8pm social. This social was different, I was making the commitment to clearing my schedule to get a table, this was Unibroue.

There was no way I was going to miss this event. Why? Because for some reason I have an infatuation with the Unibroue brewery that is unexplainable and I had heard that they were going to taste some vintage bottles. I was right, if you were there this is what you tasted. If you weren’t there, this is what you missed.

#1 Blanche de Chambly (5% ABV): pretty available and standard Belgian white ale. I really lost interest when visiting Quebec City and it was served with an orange. I’m glad they didn’t put any fruit in it at the Tap. Aromatic head, light and fruity finish.

#2 Chambly Noir (6.2% ABV): again, pretty available either by 750ml or 4-pks; definitely more of a winter warmer than the Blanche de Chambly. Dark and cloudy with a bit of a sour fruity finish, much lighter ABV than you would think by looking at it; nice contrast to the Blanche de Chambly.

#3 La Fin du Monde (9% ABV): This has been a favorite of mine for some time and is definitely a nice substitute for champagne when the need for a toast arises. This beer should not be disrespected or confused for a session beer at 9% ABV, but the drinkability makes it entirely possible to go a bit overboard. I really noticed the poor choice in glassware when we tasted this beer, the small straight glasses didn’t provide the opportunity for the beer to breathe or head to expand. I believe those trying it for the first time may have lost a bit because of this choice in glassware; either way, very solid tripel with a lively finish that is representative of the Quebec City vibe.

#4 15 (10% ABV): This was a very very special treat and my favorite to date. This bottle conditioned 750ml Belgian strong ale was brewed in 2006 to mark Unibroue’s 15th anniversary. Out of all of the anniversary ales, I enjoyed this one the most. It was reminiscent of a very gentle La Fin du Monde or a Don de Dieu (which we didn’t try). Light in color and clean in the finish with a fantastic aromatic head. I really really want some more of this beer and have been on a mission since having my first taste. If you can get your hands on it and you like this style don’t pass it up.

#5 16 (10% ABV): After the 15 I must admit I was a bit distracted, distracted by trying to find more of the 15 to enjoy. This is Unibroue’s 16th anniversary Belgian strong ale, reminded me of the Maudite. I wonder if this is intentional. Enjoyable, but admittedly I was paying less attention than I should have; darker in color, fruity thicker mouth taste, nice creamy colored head.

#7 17 (10% ABV): While tasting the 17 I’m still thinking “How can I get some more of that 15”, but this 17th anniversary Belgian Strong Ale shouldn’t be overlooked simply because I am perseverating on which Rochester, NY distributor might still have some 15 in stock. At the point of trying this beer, which reminded me surprisingly of Trois Pistoles, I had already texted my friends at Nathaniel Square Corner Store to get on the 15 case. The 17 was similar in color to the 16 and poured darker with a creamy head. The fruit notes and sweetness are what I believe made me compare it to the Trois Pistoles; great beer and worthy of being enjoyed without the 15 comparison.

This event blew away my expectations and the beers were paired with a light cheese, fruit, and vegetable platter at each table. The host, whose name I found inaudible through the PA system feedback, was generous and gave each of us a Unibroue glass to take home. For $15 a ticket this was an incredible evening with some fantastic people sharing some outstanding beers with us. Thank you to Chris Schultheis and Joe McBane for finding the anniversary beers, to Jeana Bonacci for pouring us proper, and to the Tap & Mallet team for creating yet another obsession in my mind…find more Unibroue 15.

In the fall of 2009 my husband and I visited Quebec City for five days of rest and relaxation. Unibroue was in every pub and in every gas station in Quebec City, Maudite seemed to be the local favorite, “When in Rome…”

As you all know, I am an experiential kinda gal. I like to live in the moment and be true to myself and my feelings. The following is a letter that I wrote to a local business based on my and my husbands experience there this afternoon. I removed their names because that's not the important message, the message is to be true to yourself and share your feelings as you're having them. I would be curious to hear your thoughts:

February 16, 2010

In regards to: Poor Beer Buying Experience

LOCALLY OWNED STORE
Ridge Road
Rochester, New York 14622

Dear LOCALLY OWNED STORE:

Earlier today my wife and I decided that today was the day we were going to return our bottles and cans. To some this may seem to be a dreaded task, but to us it’s something we do together while reminiscing the life experiences we had with each empty container. Which bottles we opened at our last years Christmas party, who gave us which for our anniversary, and which bottles came back with us from our last vacation. Like many here in Rochester we consider ourselves beer lovers. We love to buy beer, enjoy it with our life, and share it with our friends. We also love our city and local business owners and therefore frequently utter the words “thank you for allowing us to spend our money in your store, bar, restaurant.” We consider it a calling to be a local business; you must eat, drink, and breathe your passion. It is our responsibility and joy to be able to earn our money locally and to distribute it to our friends while living the life we enjoy; this includes one of our favorite purchases craft beer.

We have lived in East Irondequoit for six years and own a home within walking distance to LOCALLY OWNED STORE. Until today we would have forgone the shoppers club discount and spend only small bit more to support the hard work, commitment, and passion of the folks that work and own LOCALLY OWNED STORE. Often meeting each other there after work to pick out great beers or running into our friends and neighbors around the beer coolers. Today this all changed. At approximately 3:40pm today my wife and I had finished sorting and loading our empty containers out of our home and made the short drive to the store. We walked into an empty store and were greeted by name by an employee we have spoken to many times; MALE WORKER. We apologized for bringing in so many empties at one time, but were careful to choose a time that there wouldn’t be any other customers and had all of our empties clean and dry. Being that we know what an annoyance it is to redeem empties we were sure to organize our containers into 4, 6, or 12pack holders; so as to not create more hassle. We were traded our memories and life experiences for a long slip of paper with only $25.35 in return. We were optimistic about having the opportunity to pick out something new that we hadn’t tried and we headed back to the coolers. This is when things changed. It takes a long time to build up trust, value, and appreciation and it so quickly comes crashing down.

As my wife and I were looking around the inside and outside of the craft beer coolers we overheard MALE WORKER speaking in a very loud voice to a couple of other folks in the store. I am not aware if these people where employees or customers, but I am very aware of what he said. Some of the following is summarized and some is a direct quote; I apologize in advance for the foul language. We overheard MALE WORKER say “Do you know OUR NAME and his wife that live across the street from FEMALE WORKER and always buy craft beer; he blitzed us. If you were wondering what kind of person brings in all these empties all &%C*’ed up that’s the BUTThole. Don’t blame me when you have to spend the time sorting those out, you can think of him.” We couldn’t overhear any responses from anyone else, but only MALE WORKER’s voice. MALE WORKER was referring to us by name and street to other folks within the store and referring to our patronage, memories, and beings as “BUTTholes”. At that point in time we truly did feel like “BUTTholes”; these derogatory feelings were more based on the fact that we cared and respected the sacrifice of LOCALLY OWNED STORE more than they do about the money we spend there; that should never be the case. Between my wife and I we can tell you almost every store and bar in the city (independently or corporate owned) that sells craft beer, we can name every beer blogger and twitter account that reviews beer, and attend more beercentric events than we care to admit; why, because we believe in the craft and the people that produce and sell it. We have a choice where we spend our money; unfortunately based on today’s experience we will no longer be spending it at LOCALLY OWNED STORE.

The reality is that in today’s economy, more than any other in my lifetime, we have to be cautious and considerate of every dollar that is earned and spent. Only we can control our community and many times that starts with the way we choose to live our lives; who we vote for, where we buy our milk, where we go out to eat, and where we buy our beer. My wife and I choose to spend our time experiencing life; in our local community, with friends and neighbors, and committed to effective change. We are very sad to say that after today’s experience we will be choosing not to spend our money at LOCALLY OWNED STORE. We will continue to shop local, but we will just have to drive a little further down the road. You are our neighbor, we wish you continued success, and we hope that the culture of respect will become stronger within your walls and our entire community.

We were asked when composing this letter why we chose to cc the folks that we did. The purpose was not to shame LOCALLY OWNED STORE (your name was removed for anonymity), but to remind ourselves, and each other, of the commitment that we all have to making Rochester a city worth staying in. We are bright, successful, and well educated, and we believe that the strength of any community comes from the people that make it up. We are Irondequoit, we are Rochester, and it matters how we treat you and how we are treated in return.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and the ramblings of a couple of experiential life livers from Irondequoit, NY.

Sincerely,


MR & MRS IRONDEQUOIT


cc: Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce
Beer Advocate
Nathaniel Square Corner Store
Beers of the World
Tap and Mallet
www.beercraft.com
www.aroundtownROC.blogspot.com
www.rocbeer.com
www.creamaledrinker.wordpress.com