Allagash Grand Cru

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

Large bottle, Batch 19, gave a generous pop when opened, this ale has a hazy amber-light brown and peach skin (orange-red-dark yellow?) pour with a white and some slightly off-white fluffy head of bubbles that was easily two to three fingers high, there is medium or a bit more effervescence in the glass, the effervescence appeared to increase as the ale sat in the glass, leaves some lacing on the glass, aromas of spicy yeast, a mixture of light and dark fruits (apples-raisins), fruity esters, bread, some floral notes and sweetness on the nose, flavor of light and dark fruits (raisins), toasted malt, caramel and bread in the background with gentle spices, bruised apples (a good thing), a touch of alcohol warmth (I thought this was a little surprising for a 7.2% drink), a touch of sugar, brown sugar and fruit sweetness, some citrus on the palate to, finishes with some bitterness and lingering malt flavor on the tongue, and there is some pepper at the finish while esters and spices linger after the finish, mouth feel is medium or maybe a touch less along with a being smooth and creamy on the palate, very nice Belgian Strong Ale.

Batch 20Hazy golden brown body beneath an off white foamy head. Aroma of slight skunk, yeast, raisins, bread and banana esters. There was some off flavors, metal, yeast, dark fruits. Decently syrupy mouthfeel and nice retention.

Bottle - Lighter in color than expected... orangish golden color. Aromas of dried fruit, bread, and spices. Nice flavors of similar origin with an extra touch of yeast, and a slight sweet finish. Enjoyable belgian.

Batch 20. Pours with a large, fluffy, tan head over a clear copper body. Aroma is grassy, with coriander, Belgian Candi Sugar, alcohol and bread. Taste is candi sugar, grass, bread, and slightly metallic. Lively carbonation, dry mouthfeel.

Bottle at Coles, Buffalo NY. Deep orange golden poiur. Aromas of Fruitiness, slight clove. Belgian yeastiness & spiciness. Very drinkable & one of my new favorites

Pours golden with an orange rich haziness and a light beige head. Smell is sweet and yeasty with light spice notes. Taste is sweet caramel, belgian yeast and body is full and creamy. Just too sweet and yeasty for me...

Bomber. Pours dark orange with a healthy head. Aroma of yeast, malt, and clove. Flavor has classic Allagash softness, yet it is simultaneously spicy throughout. I tasted soda cracker and dried fruit initially, complemented by mid-palate earthiness. Palate is characteristically “soft”, yet the finish is very dry. Overall a well-balanced Allagash offering, though perhaps not their best.

Cork almost took my face off. I took off the cork and it shot inches from my face, hit the ceiling, spraying beer allover my lap and macbook. Kind of an orangish amber pour with thick white head. Sweet, malty aroma. Flavor is pears, banana and spice, with a bit of bitterness in the back of the throat. Almost an herbal bitter finish. The sweetness is subdued, which I appreciate. Nice, well carbonated, typically belgian mouthfeel. Overall, good.