Allagash Grand Cru

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

Another winner from Allagash. I’m more accustomed to Grand Crus that are a bit bolder, both in terms of ABV and in terms of flavor profile. Kudos to the brewers for going a bit more subtle, with a lush amber beer that has a very pleasant nutty-to-vanilla bite and a gently spiced complexity. Lively, yeasty, with a warming malt finish. Fine job.

Rated 7/16/06: What a nice change of pace, I am glad that I finally picked some of this up. Burnt orange in color, the beer is hazy in the glass. A moderate white head that swirled around like a distant galaxy leaving minimal lacing. I can actually see the beer sparkle in the glass when held to the light. The aroma is nice and mild with an earthy yeastiness. Scents of spices tickle the nose I detect the likes of nutmeg, cloves, and perhaps a touch of coriander. A smooth moderately complex flavor is present. I slowly sipped on a couple of these throughout my evening, real nice drink. A subtle presence of malts lend way to a calm spicy profile. Licorice is evident now along with the spices previously mentioned. Well behaved and not over the top in the least I really enjoy this flavor. Mouthfeel is a bit weak. I wouldn’t call it thin but there is a lackluster feel to this one and the finish is somewhat odd, not upleasant perhaps just not in line with the aroma and flavor. Overall a wonderful change of pace, I’m glad that the brewer didn’t feel the need to over spice this one, well played.

Bottle: Poured Dark Amber into a Trappist glass. Head was fluffy white and stuck around. Noticable lacing. Aroma was subtle. Flavor was spicy with Medium body Astringent mouthfeel. This is a great Belgium. It will take the water right out of you.. have a glass of water handy.

dark reddish brown appearance, with solid white head. flavor initially has somemalt character with a slight hop finish with a little bit of depth. a rather strange after taste that isn’t noticed until a few sips. a good beer but the aftertaste is unpleasant and distracting

Murky orange color with no head. Moderate coriander aroma with a little of the autumn spices (cinnamon, allspice). Those fade in the flavor, but coriander stays and gains some orange and sweet malt.

Hazy golden color with fluffy white head. Aroma of apple, pumpkin and spices. Full body crisp tangy palate. Taste of apple and pices with a dry slightly sour finish.

I find this Belgian ale a very good example. The spices enhance the aromas of this pale brown beer. It has hints of corriander and orange on the mid palate. The moutfeel is nice and arm. Nice beer!

Aroma has sweet malt and light fruit. Flavor has some alcohol, light fruit, salt, and lightly sweet malt. Light brown, cloudy appearance. A surprisingly light and simple beer for their ground cru, but good enough.