AleSmith Grand Cru 3.89 622

AleSmith Grand Cru

	Percentile
	99
	overall

Brewed by AleSmith Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
San Diego, California USA

bottled
common

on tap
unknown

Regional Distribution
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Ratings	Average	Score	Seasonal	ABV	Style Pctl	Serve in
622	3.9/5.0	3.89/5.0	Winter	10.6%	96.7	Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Commercial Description:
Bottle conditioned.
AleSmith Grand Cru really needs to be tasted to be truly appreciated. Toasty, caramelly flavors, as well as flavors imparted by the Belgian yeast strain, predominate over a tapestry of subtle nuances. Winner of the blue ribbon at the 1999 California State Fair, it is a thing of beauty. It is available in 750 ml. champagne bottles. Appearance: Crystal clear (when served properly), with a toast-brown color. Flavor: Starts with the tangy flavor of our championship Belgian yeast, then fades to a medium-light flavor of vanilla, caramel and chocolate. Finishes dry and well-balanced with a slightly toasty flavor. Aroma: Vanilla and chocolate aromas predominate, along with the Belgian yeast characteristics. Mouthfeel (body/texture): Clean and crisp, medium-bodied. Warmth from the high alcohol content makes it feel like a fine wine.

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slimchill (781), Austin, Texas, USA

3.6	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.6	7/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	16/20

Jan 6, 2009

Bottle. Butterscotch nose, lightly spicy and fruity Cloudy orange-brown with no head. Sweet buttery, clean but lacking in the spice profile for a the style. Drinkable, clean, and balanced.

Coolness (2), USA
does not count

4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4	8/10	3/5	8/10	4/5	17/20

Jan 5, 2009

Nice brown/red ale. Sweet flavor, but finishes clean. As with other AleSmith beers very satisfying.

dalekliz (546), San Diego, California, USA

3.9	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.9	8/10	3/5	8/10	4/5	16/20

Jan 4, 2009

2006 bottle. Pours a dark brownish-red with a white ring. Sweet aroma, of malt, dates, figs, plums, raisins, molasses, and a hint of brandy. Taste is sharp and quite sweet, of dark fruits, malt, brandy. Lingering sweetness. Very tasty, but might have mellowed a bit too much.

bhops (334), Dallas, Texas, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	8/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	16/20

Jan 3, 2009

Pours amber with decent head. Aroma of fruit, alcohol, sugars. Flavor was yeast, caramel, vanilla with some hops. I really enjoyed this beer. I’ve had this beer for a while so I think the alcohol wasn’t as prominent in the taste.

ucusty (1908), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	7/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	16/20

Jan 1, 2009

Vintage 2006. Orangish - brown pour with a slight haze. Off white head and drippy lace. Apple and alcohol aroma . Medium bodied, silky carbonation. Caramel apple flavor, yeast, vanilla and candy sugar. Alcohol was subdued. Became more complex and quaffable as it warmed.

dchmela (1452), Orlando, Florida, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	8/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	16/20

Dec 31, 2008

Pours a brownish amber with an off white head. Nice caramel malt aroma with hints of tobacco and hops. Taste is very smooth caramel, fruity hops, and a dark candy sweetness. Really nice and smooth and a tasty treat.

KimJohansen (7132), Copenhagen V, Denmark

4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4	8/10	3/5	8/10	4/5	17/20

Dec 30, 2008

Dark mahogany with a medium off white head. Flavour was sweet with caramel notes, hops, malt and hoppy notes that gave it a bitter finish.

17thfloor (1501), Chicago, Illinois, USA

3.6	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.6	7/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	14/20

Dec 25, 2008

Pours a darker but clear brown with no bubble and a thin fine bubbly off-white froth. Aroma of hops beginning to oxidize, light caramel, touch of yeast, crystal malt? First taste is toasted crystal malt and alcohol, light nuts and figs, faint caramel, yeasty, fruity almost like a triple. I can taste a hint of the vanilla but none of the chocolate. Medium light body with lots of fine fizzy carbonation, very airy dry mouthful, somewhat hard to swallow. Leaves a sweet sticky toffee aftertaste even though it finishes dry. Too hot, I would assume this should be aged for much much longer than 6 months. It grows on me more as it reaches room temperature.

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