Unibroue De L'Enfer 4Pk

Unibroue De L'Enfer 4Pk is a Belgian Pale Strong Ale brewed in Chambly, Quebec, at 10.5% ABV, sold as a four-pack of 341ml bottles. Named World's Best Pale Beer at the 2018 World Beer Awards, this bottle-refermented golden ale from one of Canada's most respected Belgian-style breweries delivers a deceptively smooth drinking experience given its considerable strength.

Quick Facts: ABV: 10.5%  |  Origin: Chambly, Quebec, Canada  |  Style: Belgian Pale Strong Ale  |  Brewery: Unibroue

Production & Heritage

Unibroue, founded in 1990 in Chambly, Quebec, and now owned by Sleeman Breweries (a subsidiary of Sapporo), has built its reputation on faithfully applying traditional Belgian brewing techniques in a North American context. De L'Enfer is brewed with a proprietary Belgian yeast strain and undergoes bottle refermentation — a technique Unibroue applies across its entire lineup, making it one of the only breweries in the world to do so for all of its Belgian-style beers in every format, including bottles, kegs, and cans. This natural carbonation process leaves unfiltered lees (settled yeast) at the bottom of each bottle, producing a fine champagne-like effervescence and added complexity that filtered beers simply cannot replicate.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Classic Belgian yeast character leads with sweet banana and honey, followed by hints of clove and cinnamon-spiced apple. Underneath, lightly grassy hops and crisp malt aromas add a supporting layer of freshness.

Taste: The entry is rich and grainy, with bready pale malts and candi sugar sweetness hitting first. At mid-palate, heavy fruity esters emerge — ripe pear, banana, and honey — before peppery hop spiciness provides essential balance. Citrus peel, floral hop bitterness, and coriander notes develop as the beer warms, revealing new dimensions with each sip.

Finish: Moderately long with a warm, slightly boozy-sweet aftertaste carrying lingering candi sugar, ripe banana, and clove. The champagne-like carbonation keeps the finish clean despite the considerable 10.5% ABV.

How to Drink De L'Enfer

Pour into a tulip glass or Belgian goblet at around 8–12°C (46–54°F) to let the aromatics bloom; pour gently and leave the last centimeter in the bottle if you prefer a clearer pour, or swirl and add the lees for added yeast character. De L'Enfer shines as a standalone sipper, but its bold character also works in beer cocktails: try a Belgian Shandy with fresh lemonade to tame the ABV on warm days; use it in a Bee's Knees Beertail with honey syrup and lemon juice, where the ale's existing honey notes amplify the classic template; or mix a Ginger Snap with ginger beer and a squeeze of lime, playing off the beer's peppery spice.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates Belgian brewing traditions
• Pairing with a multi-course dinner where a single high-ABV beer replaces wine
• Sharing among friends as an after-dinner sipper on a cool evening
• Introducing someone to bottle-refermented Belgian-style ales for the first time

Frequently Asked Questions

What does De L'Enfer taste like? De L'Enfer is a rich, fruity Belgian Strong Golden Ale dominated by banana, pear, and honey sweetness, balanced by peppery spice, candi sugar, and floral hop bitterness. Despite its 10.5% ABV, it drinks deceptively smooth thanks to fine champagne-like carbonation.

How does De L'Enfer compare to Duvel? Both are Belgian Strong Golden Ales with similar ABV ranges (Duvel sits at 8.5%, De L'Enfer at 10.5%), but De L'Enfer leans heavier into fruity esters like banana and pear with pronounced candi sugar sweetness, while Duvel is drier and more hop-forward with a crisper, more peppery finish. De L'Enfer's bottle refermentation with retained lees also gives it a slightly fuller body.

Is De L'Enfer good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a contemplative beer best enjoyed slowly from a tulip glass, where its complex layers of fruit, spice, and malt reveal themselves as the beer warms slightly in the glass.

Where is De L'Enfer made? De L'Enfer is brewed by Unibroue at their brewery in Chambly, Quebec, Canada, located about 30 kilometers southeast of Montreal on the banks of the Richelieu River.

What foods pair well with De L'Enfer? Roasted chicken with herbs benefits from the ale's spice and carbonation cutting through richness. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese echoes the beer's nutty, sweet malt character. Crème brûlée mirrors the candi sugar sweetness while the carbonation cleanses the palate. Spicy Thai green curry finds balance against the fruity esters and honey notes. Charcuterie boards with dried fruit and mustard complement both the beer's malt backbone and its peppery finish.

What sizes does De L'Enfer come in? De L'Enfer is commonly available in a four-pack of 341ml (12 oz) bottles, the standard format for Unibroue's lineup in North America.

Is De L'Enfer worth the price? De L'Enfer positions as a premium craft ale, and its 2018 World Beer Awards gold, BeerAdvocate score of 90, and authentic bottle-refermentation process justify its place above standard Belgian-style offerings — particularly given the complexity and ABV packed into each bottle.

Why De L'Enfer?

Winning World's Best Pale Beer at the 2018 World Beer Awards is not a credential many North American breweries can claim in a category historically dominated by European producers. De L'Enfer earns that distinction through Unibroue's commitment to bottle refermentation across its entire range — a labor-intensive technique that most breweries reserve for limited releases, if they use it at all. The result is a 10.5% ABV golden ale that manages to hide its strength behind layers of fruit, spice, and effervescence, a hallmark of the best examples of the Belgian Strong Golden style. With a BeerAdvocate score of 90 and strong community ratings, De L'Enfer consistently delivers on its ambitious promise.