Unibroue Maudite

Maudite is a strong dark ale in the Belgian abbey tradition, brewed by Unibroue, and it is packed here in a 750ml bottle meant to be opened and shared at the table. The name translates roughly to "damned," a nod to the folklore on the label. Expect a deep mahogany pour with a tight, persistent tan head, then aromas of dark fruit, caramelized sugar and warm spice. The bottle's ABV and IBU figures aren't listed in the details here, but beers in this style typically sit around 8% ABV with modest bitterness, so the sweetness of the malt and the fruity yeast character lead rather than hops. On the palate, anticipate notes like raisin, plum and toffee, with a peppery, clove-like spice from the yeast and a dry, lightly warming finish. Bottle conditioning is typical for the style, which gives a lively carbonation that lifts the richness and keeps it from feeling syrupy. Pour gently and leave the last bit of yeast sediment in the bottle if you prefer a cleaner glass, or swirl it in for a fuller, hazier body. Serve it cool rather than ice cold, roughly 10 to 13°C (50 to 55°F). Pull it from the refrigerator about fifteen minutes before pouring so the spice and dried-fruit aromas can open up. A tulip or goblet is the right glass: the wide bowl collects the aromatics and the flared rim supports the head. At the table, the beer's caramel sweetness and spice suit roasted duck, braised short ribs, sausages with mustard, and mushroom dishes. Aged washed-rind cheeses hold up well to its body, and the dark fruit character also works against desserts such as bread pudding or a plain dark chocolate square. Because a 750ml bottle is a generous pour, it works best split between two to four people over a meal.