Great Lakes Grand Cru

Brewed by Great Lakes Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Cleveland, Ohio USA

All beers poured by Steve at the brew pub are in the correct glass, and with a perfect head. The beer’s body is thin for a Grand Cru, and the head faded slowly. The sweetness and spice in the aroma and taste are nice during the winter. But the citrus turned me off after one glass. I usually like these for the summertime. But overall it’s a very very good beer.

Growler pours a amber/orange color that is very hazy with a white head. Has a nice orange aroma to it that I can smell every time I take a sip. Has a medium light mouthfeel that has a nice orange spicy taste to it. I am a huge orange fan so this grand cru is right up my alley. Overall this is a brew that not only my drinking buddy wanted to fill his glass with, but so did my non good beer drinking wife and his non beer drinking wife want this beer, too. Its very tasty.

Last one I sampled, and by far my fav. it makes the other wheat beer pale in comparison. nicely hazy, great bold citrus and spice, really packs a punch. Very well crafted, especially liked the smoothness and bitterness.

On tap at the brewpub. Hazy light amber color with a thin and fluffy off-white head that disappears quickly. Nil lacing. Zesty citrus aroma, with a bit of sweet spice. Medium-bodied and very smooth on the tongue with a straightforward sweet and spice balance that interplays with citrusy hops flavor. A bit of alcohol comes through as the glass progresses. The finish is lightly bitter and lingering. For a "regular" Belgian ale this is pretty darn good.

This one has a big poofy white head. It’s very citrusy with orange and clove. It’s very drinkable as well with a good malt backbone. A bit hoppy-bitter for style. Before I even found out that it was basically Holy Moses big brother, I noticed the similarities. Both are excellent beers.

Tap 5/25/05 Dark orange pour, topped with a bubbly white head. Nice belgian lace. Spicy aromas with lots of corriander, orange, yeast, and a touch of grassy hops. Full bodied with very pleasant, mild carbonation. Malty flavors turn dry and spicy, with more orange and corriander. Just a touch of yeast on an overall very soft finish. Hides the alcohol frighteningly well. Very nice Belgian.

Had this just after the Cleveland Brewing Festival 4/05. Looks like I’m the first one to rate the 2005. Served in a pint glass at the brewing company (tap). It came with a frothy white head and had a cloudy orange color. The aroma was spicy with wheat and some citrus sweetness (lemon perhaps). I thought that some people might like an orange or lemon wedge in this. The flavor was very similar to a white beer (blue moon came to mind) but with a much more interesting character. Orange and wheat flavors with some back bone/strength (alcohol) underneath. The body was mild and creamy with a watery/foamy ending. Thought I read that someone thought this was Holey Moses’ big brother…I can understand why. Very nice effort, though "grand crew" never came to mind. This will be great to drink as weather warms up in Cleveland!

Strong but good... one of them kicked my butt a little bit. If you can get it TRY IT!