Allagash Grand Cru

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

Pours a slightly cloudy amber hue with a small off-white head. Aromas of yeast, malt and fairly flowery. Flavors of spices, malt with very little hop presence.

Poured a redish golden, with a creamy head. I smell fruit, like citris, and spices cinamin and nutmeg. This is starting strong, . The first taste is hop, which washes away from the bananna and clove. There is good lacing and a strange , yet appealing after taste. The lacing extends till te last drop, there is a nice amount of fizz, and this is a good beer.

A nice beer. Looks, smells and taste good. Speaking of beer, I think more people need to give the gift of beer for the holidays. How cool would that be?

Cloudy dark red-gold with a fluffy white head. Nose: vanilla, banana, peaches, nutmeg and bubblegum. Taste: banana, bubblegum, vanilla and nutmeg.Overall, a disappointing brew.

A solid, bright crimson, color, an enormous, full, fluffy, lacey head, loaded with bubbles..looks good so far... Aroma: oooo, very nice! Light, airy, loaded with citrus, yeast and spice...an uplifting thing in the nose, very lively and enticing. You just want to keep it up to your nose, knowing this happy occasion should not be interurrupted...feels darker, fruitier later on, and that’s very nice as well. Mmmm, a constant happiness abides in this aroma, and it never wanes. Taste: hops grab the palate at first, then fade, and the palate is washed with a complex, incredible melange of flavors. A lush fruit factor is at the heart, incredibly integrated, a magnificent cocktail, with a tasty spicy kick riding on top. Somehow this is mellow, and terrifically full-flavored all at the same time. Full-bodied, but not a tiny bit thick, with a long, luxurious finish that resides softly on the plate, but never ends the delivery of joy. As I close in on draining this bottle, I’m still reaching for proper words to encapture it’s utter sublimity. And, still, more thoughts arise, as more flavors jut out, for I swear I’m tasting a touch of chocolate now. Is this a tripel mixed with a wit, and doused in a touch of tripel? Whatever it is, it’s fan-diddly-tastic! Batch #5, sampled January 2004.

Pours a beautiful ruby brown with a medium lingering head. Body is medium-full with a red fruit and nut flavor. Reasonable hops level in finish.

Cloudy orange with a thin head. Aroma of honey, orange, malt, a bit of black pepper. Flavor is spicy and a little herbal and quite mild for a Grand Cru. I definately get some licorice. Smooth and malty. I am used to a more bracing interpretation.

Murky brown brew with a sweet candy like nose. Fruity with some bubble gum qualities in the finish. Another nice brew from Allagash.