Allagash Grand Cru

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

Bottle (650ml) - shared with blankboy, GregClow, jerc at tupalev’s domicile - provided by GregClow. Poured a slightly cloudy orange with a large long-lasting rocky head and very nice lacing. Aroma of hops, citrus, some yeast, metal & ginger (bit peppery). Flavour brought the malt, citrus, nice balancing hops, with some grain and hottish spiciness in the warming finish - very spicy mouthfeel, very nicely balanced and complex. Don’t know what I was expecting, but glad I got this!

Ambrée aux reflets orangées, apparence semi opaque. Énorme mousse crémeuse de couleur blanche concassée, persistante et adhérant pleinement à la paroi du verre. Arômes de citrons, d’herbes, de levure, de coriandre et d’épices douces, exposant progressivement les fruits tels abricots et clémentines. Flaveurs de doux caramel, d’essence de bois, d’épices, d’abricots, devenant de plus en plus sucrée en se réchauffant. Corps moyennement épais, présence en bouche crémeuse et pleine, finale mi-sèche, faiblement métallique, aucune trace d’alcool de détecter. Bouteille, Winooski, Mai 2005.

I’m lucky to be in Maine and have great selection of local microbrews. Allagash is just such a brewery and they make an outstanding selection of beers. I was on a two month drinking jag with Grand Cru. It’s a dark, slightly spicy beer that is crisp and satisfying. Very nearly the perfect midwinter beer. The 7.2abv is sure to please and warm you as well.

Deep hazy orange pour with a large well-retained off-white head. Aroma is quite spicy with a distinct Belgian aura to it. Very smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Spices hit the palate first, followed by some nice sweet malts. There was also some smokiness, dark fruit, and a very pleasant breadiness. FInish was spicy with dark fruits. Very good all around!

(750ml bottle) Pours a cludy amber body with a large beige head. Aroma of mustiness and raisins with a spicy yeast flavor.

Cloudy amber body. Aroma was spices with caramel and grass. Finishes fairly sweet. Very enjoyable Belgian ale, but not my favorite.

Bottle: Poured a slightly cloudy copper brown color ale with a huge off-white foamy head with perfect retention. Aroma is quite the spice mix with some Belgian yeast and caramel malt. Taste is also very interesting at first with some spices and caramel crating a huge full body beer (which seems to be more then 7.5%) with a slight bitter finish with some great medium funky yeast. I found the aftertaste was a bit thin and watery which would be my only complaint. Great Belgian…

A nice Orange/Brown color with a fruity,spicy nose. Good Belgian flavor, spice, caramel. A lingering aftertaste. A good Belgian....considering it’s American made, impressive.