Unibroue & Megadeth Rock Out Another Collaboration with Release of SAISON 13

Posted on by mashingin

MegadethSaison13canUnibroue (Chambly, Québec) has officially announced that SAISON 13, the brewery’s second collaboration with the world-famous metal band Megadeth, is hitting shelves and taps in the U.S. now.

Inspired by Megadeth’s 2011 album TH1RT3EN and frontman Dave Mustaine’s “fascination with the number,” SAISON 13 is a Saison-style Ale that possesses “the perfect combination of malt, fruit and spices punctuated by an invigorating hop flavor, and it is brewed with thirteen carefully selected ingredients to offer a drinking experience as memorable as the song itself.”  This combination of ingredients produces a “pale amber” SAISON 13 (6.1% ABV) featuring “strong, crisp and fresh hop aromas complemented by sweet hints of stone fruit including apricot and nectarine” alongside a flavor profile comprised of “similarly bright hop notes, which mingle with delicately sweet peach and spice, capped off with a clean hop break.”

“SAISON 13 contains a series of elements that have meaning to [Dave Mustaine] and to me. Over the years, all of our discussions were a major inspiration for me in the creation and sharing of this new brew; nothing was left to chance.”

 

– Jerry Vietz, Brewmaster at Unibroue

This month’s release of SAISON 13 “marks the second beer collaboration between Unibroue and Megadeth, following the widely acclaimed À TOUT LE MONDE ‘session’ Saison.”

SAISON 13 is hitting the U.S. now as a Year-Round offering.  You can expect to find this new collaboration beer available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Unibroue’s distribution footprint in the U.S.  Prost!

Vital Information for SAISON 13 from Unibroue and Megadeth

Release – Year-Round; launching September 2019
Style – Saison
ABV – 6.1%
IBUs – 19
Fun Fact – On this collaboration project: “Unibroue’s Brewmaster Jerry Vietz listened to Megadeth in high school, and as a budding guitarist, viewed the band’s frontman Dave Mustaine as a legend. Mustaine, an ardent Unibroue fan, couldn’t imagine a more natural partnership for the collaboration. Like À TOUT LE MONDE, SAISON 13 honors their mutual passions and celebrates the friendship they first formed in 2015.”
Suggested Food Pairings – “General Tso chicken, fried calamari, poached salmon, rack of lamb, homemade salsa, charcuterie, aged goat cheese or firm goat cheese”
Recommended Glassware – Tulip
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://unibrouefinder.com/

 

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Unibroue Releases Autre Chose Peach IPA in Select U.S. States

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UnibrouePeachUnibroue (Chambly, Québec) has officially announced that its Autre Chose Peach IPA is available now for a limited time in select U.S. markets including California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Las Vegas, Nevada and Long Island, New York.

Arriving as the first release in Unibroue’s Autre Chose (translating from French to mean “something else”) series of offerings “designed to push back the limits of the brewery’s traditions,” Autre Chose Peach IPA is a dry-hopped, single-fermented and unfiltered India Pale Ale brewed with peaches and a hop bill featuring Cascade, Galaxy, Citra and Lemondrop hops.  “Royal gold” in color with “orange highlights,” Autre Chose Peach IPA (6% ABV) offers a “blend of ripe peach and fresh hop fragrance [that melds] together to create a bright and balanced bitterness that envelopes notes of apple, lemon and tropical fruit along with a delicately spicy, piney and floral hop presence.”

Autre Chose Peach IPA is rolling out now and is scheduled stick around through September (as long as supplies last).  You can expect to find this new Limited Release offering available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Florida, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Las Vegas, Nevada and Long Island, New York. Prost!

Vital Information for Autre Chose Peach IPA from Unibroue

Release – Limited/Autre Chose Series; August – September 2019 (U.S. Release)
Style – Hazy/Juicy India Pale Ale
ABV – 6%
IBUs – 50
Featured Hops – Cascade, Galaxy, Citra & Lemondrop
Added Ingredients – Peaches
Fun Fact – On the Autre Chose Series: “Each beer in the Autre Chose series, meaning “something else”, is designed to push back the limits of the brewery’s traditions, offering stylistic novelties different from the bottle fermented Belgian Style beers Unibroue has built its reputation upon. . . . In keeping with the experimental nature of the series, some beers in the series will be available for only a limited time in select markets while others may stay on shelves for longer periods, or even year-round.”
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans
Distribution – Florida, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Las Vegas, Nevada and Long Island, New York
Beer Finder – http://www.unibrouefinder.com/#

Unibroue Brings 16 oz. Cans of Blanche de Chambly to the U.S.

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UnibroueBdCcanUnibroue (Chambly, Québec) has officially announced that its award-winning Blanche de Chambly is now available in the U.S. in a 16-ounce, single-serve canned format.

First brewed and bottled in 1992 as Unibroue’s first ever production beer, Blanche de Chambly has since gone on to earn “37 medals and several international distinctions . . . including back-to-back designations as ‘World’s Best Belgian Style Wheat Beer’ at the prestigious World Beers Awards in London.”  A beer of these distinctions is always in high demand and – now that international beer trends are shifting toward a preference for pint cans – Unibroue is happy to meet those demands by offering Blanche de Chambly in 16 oz. cans.

“We wanted to respond to consumer demand,” says Jerry Vietz, Brewmaster for Unibroue. “For many years now, consumers have been wanting to enjoy their favorite beer in a can. We are also seeing an increasingly popular trend in the industry towards the 473 mL can, which we will add to the current bottle formats.”

Widely known as a “world-class standard” for the style, Blanche de Chambly is a traditional Belgian-style Witbier “refermented and brewed with coriander and Curaçao orange peels.” Coming in at an easy-drinking 5% ABV, this everyday-kinda-brew “pours a pale, angelic straw color, emanating a subtle bouquet of citrus and spice mingled with aromas of yeast breads, coriander, and cloves.”

16 oz. cans of Blanche de Chambly are rolling out now in the U.S.  You can expect to find this Year-Round offering available in the newly released 16 oz. cans, 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Unibroue’s nationwide distribution footprint in the U.S.  Prost!

Vital Information for Blanche de Chambly from Unibroue

Release – Year-Round; 16 oz. cans launch Summer 2019
Style – Witbier 
ABV – 5%
IBUs – 10
Serving Suggestions – “Blanche de Chambly is meant to be served roused, with the yeast suspended within the liquid to take full advantage of all of the beer’s flavors and aromas. The unique Belgian yeast strain in Blanche de Chambly contributes an especially flavorful taste and mouthfeel to the beer.”
Suggested Food Pairings – “Buchette-type goat cheese, mussels, oysters, white grilled fish, salads, white lemon meats and buttered asparagus”
Availability – 16 oz. cans, 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – http://www.unibrouefinder.com/#

 

Unibroue Brings Éphémère Cassis Back for the Summer

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unibrouelogoUnibroue (Chambly, Québec) has officially announced that Éphémère Cassis will return to American shelves and taps during the summer of 2019.

Returning to the United States for the first time since 2011, Éphémère Cassis – a.k.a. Black Currant Éphémère – is a Belgian-style White Ale that “pours a pale red hue with pinkish highlights, slightly cloudy with a finely laced light pink head.”  Effervescent in nature, this Éphémère variant boasts “pleasant aromas of black currant enhanced by notes of citrus and spice with a light, flowery bouquet.”  Weighing in at an easy drinking 5.5% ABV, Éphémère Cassis is “guaranteed to refresh and revitalize the senses and is perfect for the summer season.”

Éphémère Cassis is rolling out now and will stick around as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release available in a seasonal variety 6-pack and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Unibroue’s distribution footprint in the United States.  Prost!

Vital Information for Éphémère Cassis from Unibroue

Release – Limited/Seasonal; arriving late June/early July 2019 
Style – Belgian-style White Ale
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 8.5
Tasting Notes – “Upon first sip, the palate is met with refreshingly crisp acidity, sumptuous black currant flavor, delicately sweet and balanced astringency with hints of grape, lemon zest and tea. A study in pleasing contradictions, Éphémère Cassis is rich in flavor and color yet not too heavy, dancing a perfect middle-ground in texture; refreshingly bitter yet gently sweet, and piquantly carbonated while retaining a body worthy of exploration. Each sip finishes cleanly on the palate, beckoning for the next.”
Suggested Food Pairings – “Goat cheese or aged cheddar, fruit salad, mango salsa, light pastas, smoked salmon, duck, roast lamb, dark chocolate, cheesecake or tiramisu.”
Recommended Glassware – Flute or Tulip
Availability – Featured in a seasonal variety 6-pack & on draft
Beer Finder – http://www.unibrouefinder.com/#

Unibroue Sends its Black Forest Cake Ale to the U.S. for a Limited Release

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UnibroueBFCAUnibroue (Chambly, Québec) has officially announced that Ale Gâteau Forêt-Noire, a.k.a. Black Forest Cake Ale, will begin an exclusive Limited Release in the U.S. beginning in early October 2018.

Originally released in 2017 as a Canada-only offering brewed to recognize Unibroue’s 25th anniversary, Ale Gâteau Forêt-Noire (10.5% ABV) has returned once more to finally give American beer lovers the opportunity to try this Limited Release brew.  Meant to mimic the flavors of Black Forest cake, this medium-bodied Belgian-style Dark Specialty Ale boasts notes of “roast and chocolate . . . complemented by delicate fruity accents and a slightly tart finish.”

“You can’t have an anniversary party without a cake. With roasted malt aroma, tart cherries, cocoa beans and dark chocolate flavors, I brewed Ale Gâteau Forêt-Noire to be pleasantly evocative of the classic Black Forest cake.”

 

– Jerry Vietz, Brewmaster at Unibroue

Ale Gâteau Forêt-Noire is scheduled to hit the U.S. in early October and will hang around as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles, as part of a seasonal variety 6-pack, and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Unibroue’s nationwide distribution footprint in the U.S.  Prost!

Vital Information for Ale Gâteau Forêt-Noire from Unibroue

Release – Limited, October 2018
Style – Belgian Strong Dark Ale
ABV – 10.5%
IBUs – 20
Suggested Food Pairings – ” Ale Gâteau Forêt-Noire is the ideal accompaniment for Black Forest cake, cocoa-based Mexican dishes (such as mole), meat loaf, log-type goat cheese, and blue or comté cheese.”
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles, in the brewery’s seasonal variety 6-pack & on draft
Beer Finder – https://www.unibroue.com/en/find-our-beers

Tasting Notes: À Tout le Monde Belgian Style Saison from Unibroue

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UnibroueMegadethPourFor this installment of Tasting Notes, we somehow get the opportunity to combine our love for thrash metal and Saisons thanks to the Megadeth-inspired À Tout le Monde Belgian Style Saison Ale from Unibroue (Chambly, Québec).

Named after the fourth track on Megadeth’s 1994 Youthanasia album, À Tout le Monde – translating from French to mean “To All the World” or “To Everyone” – was first released in 2016 as a symbol of friendship between Unibroue Brewmaster Jerry Vietz and Dave Mustaine, lead vocalist and founder of the iconic Thrash Metal band Megadeth.  Legends of their respective professions, these two men put their collective creativity to work and brewed a Belgian-style Golden Saison that was dry-hopped to produce hoppy, spicy notes. The finished beer weighs in at an easy drinking 4.5% ABV to provide fans with “a clean, fresh taste and a crisp dry finish inviting you to take another sip.”

À Tout le Monde is available year-round in 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles and on draft.  You can find this Classic offering at craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Unibroue’s distribution area in the U.S. and Canada.

Alright, kiddos, “fasten up your head belts” because it is time to crack open this bottle, see how loud this stereo can get, and find out if it is possible to headbang our way through these Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for À Tout le Monde Belgian Style Saison Ale from Unibroue

Appearance:  This Saison presents itself as a lemony yellow in color that has some deeper gold tones residing at its center.  When held to direct light, the color intensifies and brightens to become more of a sunshiny yellow. The beer has a touch of cloudiness to it, but tight streams of carbonation can still be observed as they steadily course throughout.  A well-mannered pour produced over two fingers of fluffy, bright white foam that confidently built well over the brim of the glass.  Head retention is good, but the top cap eventually falls to a lasting half finger that drops gobs of lace down on the glass after each sip.

Aroma:  Bright hops spring out of the glass with citrus notes of orange peel, lemon and grapefruit along with just a grace of tropical pineapple.  The yeast quickly takes over with a good mix of earthiness and spice.  The malts quietly support everything from underneath and close out the aromatics with a soft layer of breadiness.

Taste:  Saison yeast takes lead here by throwing down a complex spice character that holds notes of green peppercorn, floral and citrusy coriander, and lemongrass.  This transitions into a gentle earthiness and grassiness that act as the perfect introduction to a hop presence that is rockin’ notes of orange zest, sweet grapefruit and a nondescript tropical fruitiness.  The flavor profile closes with a well-rounded, gently sweet biscuity malt tone that fades softly into the finish.

Mouthfeel:  Medium in body with a milder than expected carbonation level, this Saison has a light, airy texture and casually dries out to offer an incredibly easy drinking experience.  This thing runs the bases on the palate, allowing you to enjoy sweet, bitter and spice sensations.  The 4.5% ABV is ridiculously and awesomely low, further adding to this beer’s quenching ability and refreshment level. Aftertaste is minimal, but there are touches of spicy yeast notes left behind at times.

Final Thoughts:  Everything about À Tout le Monde is beautifully composed and on point.  It is dry-hopped just enough to keep the attention of the hop-obsessed American drinker, but the yeast character still remains big enough to satisfy those who claim allegiance to the Saison/Farmhouse Ale. The flavors and aromatics are just as pronounced as those you would find in a much bigger example of the style, but that low ABV elevates this Saison to an otherworldly, easy drinking height that firmly secures this beer’s status as a daily drinker.  To put it simply, À Tout le Monde just rocks . . . and it needs to find its way into your fridge if it has not already.  Prost!

Unibroue Launches Éphémère Strawberry & Rhubarb as New Seasonal

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UnibroueEphemereSRUnibroue (Chambly, Québec) has officially released Éphémère Strawberry & Rhubarb as the newest installment in its Seasonal Éphémère Series.

Developed as the newest iteration of Unibroue’s “ephemeral ale that comes and goes with the seasons”, Éphémère Strawberry & Rhubarb (5.5% ABV) is the first Éphémère variant to feature two fruits.  “Pleasant strawberry and rhubarb flavors” combine with Éphémère’s Belgian-style White Ale base to create an experience “reminiscent of the pie that unites these two fruits.”

“When the idea came to me to combine two fruits for the very first time in a beer from our Éphémère series, it was natural for me to lean towards a blend of strawberries and rhubarb. The herbaceous and tart profile of rhubarb pairs up perfectly with the sweet taste and smooth scent of ripe strawberries. I see the result as a keepsake reminiscent of Spring and Summer memories. I hope it will bring sweet moments to your lips as well!”

 

– Jerry Vietz, Master Brewer at Unibroue

Éphémère Strawberry & Rhubarb is rolling out in the U.S. now and will be available as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Seasonal offering at select craft beer retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Unibroue’s distribution network in the U.S.  Prost!

Vital Information for Éphémère Strawberry & Rhubarb from Unibroue 

Release – Seasonal/Limited, launching July 2018
Style – Fruit Beer/Belgian-style White Ale
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 11
Added Ingredients – Strawberry & rhubarb
Recommended Glassware – Flute or Tulip
Suggested Food Pairings – “Curried chicken, pineapple ham, spinach salad, blue cheese, triple cream Brie cheese, pineapple upside-down cake, vanilla ice cream (float)”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, on draft and in Unibroue’s seasonal variety six-pack
Beer Finder – https://www.unibroue.com/en/find-our-beers

Unibroue Launches Éphémère Sureau as New Seasonal

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unibroueephemerebottleUnibroue (Chambly, Québec) has officially announced the arrival of Sureau, an Elderberry Belgian-style White Ale, as the latest Seasonal release from the brewery’s Éphémère Series.

The long-standing Éphémère Series is Unibroue’s line of “refreshing, lightly spiced” Belgian-style White Ales that have been infused with a featured seasonal fruit.  For this latest release, Éphémère Sureau – French for “elderberry” – captures the full essence of the elderberry by utilizing both the fruit and the flower.  “Slightly cloudy and seductively reddish [in] color with purplish hues,” this fruit ale’s “berry flavours, subtle floral notes and hints of tropical fruit evoke Muscat grapes’ notable bouquet from the very first sip.”

“This is the first time we’re using both the fruit and flower in making an Éphémère beer,” explains Jerry Vietz, Unibroue’s Master Brewer. “The elderberry flower’s aroma is a perfect complement to the fruit’s rich, delicious flavour.”

Éphémère Sureau began its launch in the United States on May 1 and will be available for a limited time.  You can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in Sommelier Selection variety packs, 6-packs of 341 ml bottles, 750 ml bottles and on draft at fine beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, and throughout the rest of Unibroue’s distribution network in the U.S.  Prost!

Vital Information for Éphémère Sureau from Unibroue

Release – Seasonal/Éphémère Series, launching May 2017
Style – Belgian-style White Ale
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 6
Added Ingredients – Elderberry fruit & flowers
Availability – 6-packs of 341 ml bottles, 750 ml bottles, available in Sommelier Selection variety packs & draft
Suggested Glassware – Tulip
Suggested Pairings – “Éphémère Elderberry’s explosion of berry flavours and subtle floral notes make for a wide variety of pairings,” confirms Sylvain Bouchard, beer sommelier at the brewery. “This delicious beer goes very well with pork loin, grilled chicken, as well as fish and seafood dishes, and adds a refreshing touch to rosette sausages. It also pairs well with goat, Brie and Camembert cheeses.”
Beer Finder – https://www.unibroue.com/en/find-our-beers

Unibroue and Megadeth Brew Up À TOUT LE MONDE Saison Collaboration

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web_355Unibroue (Chambly, Québec) recently announced that they have partnered with Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine to brew and release À TOUT LE MONDE Saison Ale.

Unibroue Brewmaster Jerry Vietz created À TOUT LE MONDE Saison Ale as a symbol of friendship and as a gift to recognize the 55th birthday of Dave Mustaine, lead vocalist and founder of the iconic Thrash Metal band Megadeth and lover of finely crafted beers.  Legends of their respective professions, these two men put their collective creativity to work and brewed a Belgian-style Golden Saison that was dry-hopped to produce hoppy, spicy notes.  The finished beer weighs in at an easy drinking 4.5% ABV to provide fans with “a clean, fresh taste and a crisp dry finish inviting you to take another sip.”

À TOUT LE MONDE – translating from French to mean “To All the World” or “To Everyone” – was named after the fourth track on Megadeth’s 1994 Youthanasia album.  The song proved to be one of the band’s “biggest hits in Quebec.”  The beer’s name also “recalls the consonance of Unibroue’s flagship beer, La Fin du Monde.”

“At Unibroue, we appreciate flavour – and we know Megadeth is anything but boring,” explains Jerry Vietz, Brewmaster at Unibroue. “To Megadeth’s delight and that of their fans and connoisseurs, we’re offering an uncompromising beer with rich hoppy aromas, created according to Dave’s personal tastes.”

 

“Our shared passion for excellence produced a one-of-a-kind saison beer,” added Dave Mustaine, Megadeth’s lead vocalist and founder. “I’m thrilled to present this new beer to my fans, and everyone who loves good beers with character.”

À TOUT LE MONDE Saison Ale is officially available now as Unibroue’s newest offering released in their Classics Series.  This offering can be found in 750 ml bottles in Quebec and in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles at fine craft beer retailers in Alabama, Florida and throughout Unibroue’s full 48 state distribution area.  I can say without hesitation that Unibroue makes nothing but amazing beer, so be sure to grab a 4-pack of À TOUT LE MONDE Saison Ale, crank up the stereo and allow your taste buds to rock out with this new offering.  Prost!

**Personal Note – This just might be the coolest craft beer news I have had the chance to cover over the last seven years.  I have been a huge Megadeth fan since my middle school years and I can often be found rockin’ to the band’s music while I work (As a matter of fact, “À Tout Le Monde”, “High Speed Dirt” & “Holy Wars” provided the soundtrack for this post).  I have long said that a bucket list item of mine has been to sit down with Dave Mustaine for a drink, but I can absolutely settle for the ability to now sip on a beer inspired by his work and created with his input.  Ok . . . that concludes my giddy, fan-boy moment.**

Vital Information on À TOUT LE MONDE Saison Ale from Unibroue

Release – Classics Series, late October 2016
Style – Belgian-style Saison
ABV – 4.5%
IBUs – 22
Aroma –  Hoppy with tropical fruit and citrus notes
Flavor – Delicately spiced. Citrusy and slightly tart with hints of tropical fruit such as mango and lychee
Glassware – Flute or Tulip
Availability – Quebec (750 ml bottles & draft) and 48 US States (4-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft)

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