Those who've perused my blog with any frequency may have noticed I enjoy Unibroue's beers. While I don't really establish "favorites," this brewery has certainly earned a warm spot in my heart. This is a year-round release that I've eyeballed for the past year and a half but haven't had the nerve to try. Running this blog has given me the excuse to try all sorts of tantalizing beverages that I'd have barely glanced at in the past, and this beer has been at the top of my "must try" list since I created the blog.
In many ways, Terrible does remind me of both the Trois Pistoles and their stellar Vintage Ale for Trader Joe's, but it does distinguish itself from each. The aroma is sweeter and smoother than the other two and my initial sip was full bodied with a heavy taste of honey and perhaps a hint of grape. The fruity flavors are pouring out with each sip of this beer, but it's dark and heavy enough to keep it from feeling wimpy or light. Instead it carries a heavy wine-like flavor that works very nicely for this style. At 10.5% ABV, it's got a high enough alcohol content to justify sharing with friends, but doesn't have any sort of alcoholic burn. This is certainly not a beginner's beer, but newer beer geeks with an open mind will take to this with great ease. I've always felt Belgian and Belgian-styled ales are the best introduction to beer for newer palates, and this beer might be one of the finest examples I've tried in quite a while.
If you're reading this review, chances are you've already had this beer at some point in your life, but you should probably try it again. If you haven't yet had it, go visit your local craft beer retailer and get your hands on this beast. It's anything but terrible, trust me.
