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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Rciesla (3790), Exit 15W, New Jersey, USA

3.9	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.9	8/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	15/20

May 8, 2008

Bottle. Another solid offering. Brown with orange hues in my halogen lamp. Chocolate, caramel, belgian spice, etoh, and fruit. Good beer.

chrisafari (100), Orange, California, USA

3.9	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.9	7/10	5/5	8/10	3/5	16/20

May 6, 2008

Had it on tap at Pizza Port in San Clemente on 5/5/08 in a pint glass (they don’t have any other glasses, I think). Reddish/Orange brown with a small light head. Super-clear! Aroma was not very intense. Although this might have had more to do with Pizza Port itself. Initial flavor: alcohol and spice lingers on the pallet and in the sinus. Starts off sweet but quickly becomes intense. No real hoppy characteristic, but smooth and strong. Undertones of green apples and cranberries. The Caramel notes come out as it warms in your hand. Overall, pretty good but not really my favorite to have with a salad or pizza. Much better for dessert or smoking! Worth the price though.

DTM (541), Winters, California, USA

4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4	8/10	4/5	9/10	4/5	15/20

May 5, 2008

Shared bottle with Timfoolery from the Liquor Barn in Redding, CA. This poured a dark amber color with a quickly dissapating head. Very full flavored malty beer. It almost feels more like a wine than beer.

timfoolery (484), California, USA

4.1	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.1	8/10	4/5	9/10	4/5	16/20

May 5, 2008

Bottle from Liquor Barn in Redding, CA. I got the ’06 bottle from Liquor Barn, chilled, and drank this winner with a friend. There were dark fruit flavors and aroma of flowers throughout. Extremely sweet, malty, and full of flavor. Complex palate. Excellent brew!

Imperial-John (166), Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	8/10	3/5	8/10	4/5	15/20

May 3, 2008

Reddish brown with no head. Grape berry Belgian aroma and taste but not bubbly with big head like most of Belgians. Instead reminds me of a barley wine, very warm boozy light port taste.

rustychiles (1058), Mesa, Arizona, USA

3.7	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.7	7/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	17/20

Apr 24, 2008

Pours a brownish red with a small white head. Aroma of fruits, sugars and earthiness. NIce body, and a funky fruity yeasty bitter flavor. This was a very interesting brew, but not at all what I expected.

pepsican (885), The Student Ghetto, Iowa, USA

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

Apr 18, 2008

Pours a funky brown color with a nice sized off white head. Aroma was pleasant apple, raisin, caramel. Similar flavor. I can’t stop thinking of a boozy caramel apple with some belgian yeast character and some vanilla and toffee. No real hint of the abv. Syrupy thick but nice mouthfeel.

sneagrams3 (1759), St. Louis, Missouri, USA

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

Apr 10, 2008

Tasted 4/5/08. 750ml bottle. Slightly hazy with a beige ring of head. Peppery floral yeasty citrusy nose. Perfumy. Full bodied and sticky. Nice balanced burn. Peppery and slightly bitter. Tingling effervescence. Caramel flavors. Very nice.

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