Allagash Grand Cru

Brewed by Allagash Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Portland, Maine USA

Yeasty, spicey, fruity aroma. Hazy orange color with a head that tries to lace while departing. Thin to medium body; creamy carbonation. Touch of orange flavor, maybe some clove, mildly sweet caramel/candy. Arguably seeded fruit flavors present - touch of pear? Spicey and fruity, but it all blends very well. Seems to have a touch of golden sultana. Really very good stuff. The finish is not overly sweet and the spice hangs around somewhat. Perhaps a bit of anise. Any hop is fruity rather than bitter. Good drink.

Amber with a creamy (though small) white head; malty, yeasty aroma; very smooth mouthfeel; spicy and slightly smokey flavor; finish starts spicy and fruity and ends with a balance of malt and hop with a touch of smoke.

Amber color. Huge amount of foam - borderline annoying amount. Good easy drinker. Like that it’s only 7.2%. Says it brewed with spices but I didn’t pick up much. If they’re there, they’re subtle which guss is a good thing. Good beer. Would like to try on tap.

This one poured a murky orangey hue with a small head. The head almost went away instantly which is typical for strong ales. The taste was a very pleasant combination of malts, coriander, and spice/clove. I enjoyed this one from Allagash.

Tap @ Publick House, Brookline, MA. Pours a reddish-golden color with a laced, slightly off-white head. Aroma is caramel with fruit and spice notes as well. Flavor is largely fruity, with apple, citrus, pear, and raisin notes balanced out by a slight caramel characteristic. Very solid beer, but not great.

Bottle, batch #15 Nice golden body with a lasting whiteish head and good lacing. Some apples, and pears in the aroma, but also some caramel, peaches and a bit of ginger. Slightly fruity flavor, mostly apples, and pears, but also some caramel, along with a bit of tropical fruits. A bit fizzy in the beginning and drying in the finish. Too bad I only have 750mL, I like this.

Bottled. Dark, murky, honey-coloured body is topped with a thin head that was once rather large. Mouth is light-medium with lots of soft, velvety carbonation that makes for a wonderful not-too-dry-not-wet finish. Aroma of smoked meat--like BBQ pork with a sweet sauce--champagne, apples, caramelized sugar, licorice, lemon, clove, earthy-sour-leathery-sweaty-grassy yeast profile, and a touch of honey. Flavor is fruity like plumbs, white grapes, and apples; spicy like licorice and clove; sour like smoked meat, lemon, sweaty leather, soil, wheat; sweet like sugar, caramel, and apple. A fruity, smoky, sour finish. A satisfying--even filling--sipper that is quenching and enjoyable.

Poured from bottle. Cloudy dark gold color. Slight creamy head. Smelled of spiced apples. Taste was apple cider, grapefruit, cinnamon, sweet malts, and some raisin. This was an absolutely delightful brew!