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
617	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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Papsoe (14996), Frederiksberg, Denmark

3.4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.4	7/10	4/5	6/10	3/5	14/20

Jan 17, 2006

(Bottle 75 cl) 10% ABV in my version. Ruby red with a small, white head. Complex, vinous, sweetish aroma. Very full-bodied with sweet port-like notes and some fruit. Appears a bit too sweet - actually a bit cloying. Very limited bitterness. 160106

bb (2919), Martinez, California, USA

4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4	7/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	17/20

Jan 12, 2006

Bottle. Nice mahogony color with no head. Yeasty, plum and some malt in the aroma. Plum/sherry flavors with sweet malt/candy sugar and some yeastiness. Full bodied. Lingering malt/yeast complexity. Hides alcohol well.

Hildigöltur (5109), København, Denmark

3.5	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.5	7/10	4/5	7/10	3/5	14/20

Jan 6, 2006

Bottled. 2003 vintage. Deep reddish brown coloured. Fruity and malty with notes of honey, molasses, caramel and raisins. Sweet with an alcoholic touch. Medium bodied.

barleyPops (1079), Quad-Cities, Illinois, USA

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

Jan 1, 2006

Thanks to Saarlander for the 750ml bottle. enjoyed with some friends on New Years Eve. a solid Belgian style ale. light brown with a tan head, aroma of toasted caramel, chocolate and Belgian yeast, flavor was more of the same with some hints of vanilla and some dark ripe pitted fruit. very smooth and enjoyable.

jimbowood (954), Athens, Georgia, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	7/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	17/20

Dec 31, 2005 Updated: Dec 16, 2006

On tap @ the brewery. I expected more here. Good, but not great. Candy sugar, doughy malt, and alcohol heat dominate. A little flat.

mrnutsnbolts (204), Berkeley, California, USA

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

Dec 30, 2005

Tap @ Alesmith. Pours a hazy tawny port color without much head. Upon smelling the glass, I was taken away by yeast, fruity esters, and a delectable sweetness. Tasting this beer was truly a pleasure. It was chewy and thick with plenty of roasted malts, bread, chocolate and maybe some figs.

apoptosis (1316), Long Island, New York, USA

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

Dec 10, 2005

Murky brown body, with barely any carbonation/head at all. The alcohol is well-masked, and the finish is very chewy. Hints of cocoa with plenty of caramel and apples. Some roastiness in the flavor, raisins, and hints of winter abound. Quite decent, but not the best of the Grand Cru’s.

notalush (2663), Denver, Colorado, USA

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

Dec 10, 2005

Dark brown with no head - very low to no carbonation - aroma is malty, yet tart, with caramel, brown sugar, citrus, apples, a touch of spices - earthy and yeasty to start - orange marmalade and other fruits crop up, only to quickly make way for chocolate and toffee to arrive on the palate - abt/quad charactaristics make me think this should be reclassified - finishes with yeast and spices - a little tartness - pretty good - if you told me this was made in belgium, I’d believe you.

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