McKenzie Grand Cru

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

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!!

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.

Medium sized light brown head, noisey, fizzy, short lived. Dark brown color with just a slight red hue, good lookin brew. Yeasty nose, hints of raisins and spices, meium body, coating mouthfeel. Dark fruit flavors, caramel and spices, banannas. Lots going on here. All the flavors intertwine well with the creamy mouthfeel. Finish is medium sweet with a slight smackeral of alcohol. Good beer.

Well made Grand Cru. Very dark mahogany colored is a good description. Opaque. Aroma is yeasty, spicy and candi sweet. Coriander is apparent. The licorice and grains of paradise are barely discernable. Fizzy and full bodied. Sweet finish, but lingering dryness (from the spices) following the the sweetness. Thanks Bert, I really enjoyed this one.

Aroma of mincemeat and raisins as well as fresh bread. Extremely dark-fruity malt base. Noted some phenols. Alcohol more evident as it warms. Not as much spice as I thought there would be. "The working man’s grand cru"...a bit rough around the edges but worth chilling with. Like Jack Nicholson in "Five Easy Pieces," this beer has talent that hasn’t even begun to shine through. Many thanks to egajdzis for sending this to us.

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 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!

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!