McKenzie Grand Cru

Formerly brewed at McKenzie Brew House
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Glen Mills, Pennsylvania USA

(WCC2) Brown with red tint, small off-white head. Aroma is medium sweet, caramel, some spice, vanilla. Taste is medium sweet, lambic tart, spice (orange peel, coriander). Medium body, no idea it was as strong as it was.

Co-rated by scraff... This beer rocks! Sparkling clear, deep copper ale with a small, creamy, white head. The aroma is of dried plum, chocolate, dark raisins and whole grain bread dough. The flavor is sweet and malty with notes of caramel, toffee and cherries. A touch tart. Full-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and lively carbonation. Lengthy, very dry finish. World class stuff!

I must confess that I am not an expeet on Belgian beers, and even less an expert on Grand Crus. The last Grand Cru I had was probably in 1999, and I remember not liking it. This beer, which I have aged in my fridge for about 6 months, pours dark brown, with a super head and lacing. Aroma of port, cognac, scotch, raisins, toffee, and cherries. Tastes very malty, heavy mouthfeel, tart, with black cherry, caramel, port, scotch, and watermelon at the finish. Extremely complex, and I didn't taste a lick of alcohol. This one is superlative...and it's not even close to my favorite style. Just goes to show you that great beers will make their way to the top one way or another. If a Belgian Grand Cru can top this one, then bring it on!!

Mahogany color with an off white head and very little lacing. Aroma of yeast, dark fruits, and spicy clove. Taste of dark fruits slightly spicy and almost a lambicesk tart fruity flavor. Flat mouthfeel.

Thanks to egajdzis for bringing this to When Continents Collide 2! Deep brown with a reddish halo. Small tan head. The aroma is made up of fruit, some sweetened malt notes, and lighter spices. Definite alcohol, caramel and fruit in the taste. Some sour notes in there as well, but this was very good! Finish is a little dry.

03.12.05 750ml bottle thanks to slander. Root beer brown pour, even head. Cherry and apple pie with a buttery, sugary crust are what I smell. If that’s not appetizing, I don’t know what is. There is quite a strong alcohol presence on the nose that seemed to clear the sinuses a bit. That was a good thing today. Flavor starts out soft and sweet like that pie from the aroma. Levels out to something big and boozy but quite drinkable. Lots of sweet flavor, complex, stylish for such a big beer. Reminds me of Stille Nacht. I dig it.

Hazy black cherry. Broken off-white head with a thick ring. Firm, earthy malt aroma coupled with fruity belgian yeast, black pepper, and plums. Bountiful spicy anise notes softened with citrusy esters, herbs, and soft floral hints. Quiet roasted character. Soft body with robust spritz. Starts with sweet plums infused with alcohol and spicy anise. Lovely interplay between the spicy esters and tangy dark fruits. Light notes of caramel, passion fruit, and delicate melon notes balance some of the sugared malt sweetness. Tongue-numbing spicy esters agitate the alcoholic heat, which exaggerates some of the sweetness. Delicate floral and yeast notes add some elegance and trail the sweet malt blanket alongside persistently spicy alcohol and zesty grains of paradise at the finish. Lingers with sweet plums and muted malts. This is Pennsylvania’s answer to Trois Pistoles, only this is much spicier, yet less creamy and much more alcoholic. Will most definitely be world-class after a few years in the cellar.

Co-rated with Hopscotch with special thanks to egajdzis. Deep reds and browns, creamy white head. Nose of dark fruits, chocolate, and bread dough. Flavors of spiced dark fruit, brown sugar, and caramel coated cherry. Full bodied, tangy dry finish. ABV can't be found anywhere. Great beer!