Brugge Brasserie Old Dog The Grand Cru

Brewed by Brugge Brasserie
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Indianapolis, Indiana USA

Holy cow, what a beer. Pours brown, cloudy, with a minor head. Aroma is very spicy with hints of cinnamon and ginger. Flavor is a complex mix of spices. Very delicious. Light-moderate mouth feel. Very good offering.

Methinks JMerritt got drunk and sipped out of a mopbucket (or toilet) at the GABF, given the Pine-Sol reference. Initially, as a reluctant, yet hopeful visitor to his 1st Belgian brewpub, I had for years been in awe of Belgian brews, from Trappists, of course, to abbeys, lambics, saisons,even French farmhouse styles(so underrated), with almost unattainable standards of quality. Belgian beers rely on bottle refermentation for lots of tiny bubbles, most of which are present in this beer, but also for depth of complexity- an almost impossible task for a pub brewer, no matter how good.Tiny qualms aside, this ale exhibits an amazing Belgian authenticity, full of spice and light alcohol in aroma, malt and subtle spicy flavor, but, much more significantly, the accurate Belgian impression,( ie., complexity, strength, and stupid drinkability. )Grab friends and find this place while it’s here.

On tap @ the Brew pub: Pours a cloudy copper with a cascading light tan head. Aroma, yeasty, fruits, with some toasted malty notes. Flavor, toasted malts, caramel, some fruity and spicy notes.Very nice beer.

Sample at Indiana Microbrewers Festival - Aroma is spicy ginger, coriander and pepper. Pours hazy amber with no head. Flavor is also very spicy and a little acidic. Palate is thin and smooth. Pretty tasty if you like spicy brews.

Date: 07/21/2007
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewfest, Indy

muddy dark orange, wispy white head, strong fruity aroma with lots of sweet orange and light spices, creamy body, rich malt flavor, lots of fruity sweetness with hints of orange, light spicyness, touch of bitterness keeps the balance and leaves with a long bitter finish,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 14/20
Rating: 3.6/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **4

The weakest offering from Brugge is still better than the best offering from most other places. This one is sort of like a weaker version of the Triple, but with a more hoppy character and some IPA characteristics. Slightly bitter, but solid. Perfectly acceptable but hard to suggest that someone try when theres more delicious offerings on tap...maybe after you try the Triple and the Black though!

GABF 2007: Poured a clear golden color with an off-white head. Spicey and clovey aroma and flavor. Some light malt in the flavor. Light bodied.

(Draught) Pours a clear golden body with a moderate off-white head. Aroma of grains of paradise, orange peel, clove, and pepper. Flavor of toasted/rich malt, caramel, and fruit.