Michigan Brewing Celis Grand Cru

Brewed by Michigan Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Webberville, Michigan USA

Year old bottle. Disgustingly clear, transparent and magnifying with an iridescent gold hue amidst all the suspended matter in the glass. An icy atmospheric layer comprises the head. Aroma is all gingerale with a hefty dose of coriander. Lemon sugared corn flakes, stale potato bread and ginger root give quite a pause in the aromatic incantation. Larger flavor profile slips in unexpectantly. Gummy sweetness draws on sticky, buttery vanilla almonds while dates get creamed and blended into liquefied beet sugar. Effervescent indeed, with spoonable ginger preservatives rocking the boat with cola-esque cardamom. Maple icing on a lemony-gingered-oregano pastry square elaborate on the spice anthem, most prolifically in the final minutes, along with a gentle hotness that slips away silently into the night.

This wasn’t the best brew, but it’s based upon primarily personal preference, rather than working complexities. It pours deep golden into the glass, with virtually no head, no lace of which to speak. The aroma is definitely spiced, as is the flavor. There is a spicy pepper note, with Allspice, nutmeg, slight honey, heavy Thai spices, and trace black peppers. The mouthfeel is oil slick (vs. oily), with residual peppers in the back palate. A slightly cloying sweetness shows up directly after the finish, but it’s not too awful. Again, a lot of this, I’m sure, is personal preference, but in spite of its complexities and different palate offerings, I’m just not the keenest on the brew. It’s a special offering beer.

12 oz. brown longneck bottle. No freshness date. Poured out a straw yellow color, not far off from Budweiser. Thin, soapy, white head didn’t last long. Aromas are of coriander, some cardamom, wheat malt, lactic acid, slight funk. Flavors are of spices, citrus, malts, some burnt sugars, faint hops. Alcohol is well hidden. Makes me doubt it’s actually 8% ABV. Thin body, soapy mouthfeel. Finished on the sweet/funky side. Not the best Belgian style on the market for certain.

Another one of those uber wits really. Pale gold, decent head. Decidedly bubble gum aroma. Flavor had some slightly syrupy pale malt flavors, along with more gum, berries, and coriander. Touch of orange marmalade. Not bad, but didn’t quite come together for me.

Golden with an initially thick white head. Spice,citrus and some alcohol in the aroma. Flavor is a bit sweet and with a fair amount of coriander. Not bad.

Sample at AleFest Dayton: This brew pours a light yellow/gold color with a medium and foamy white head with good retention. Thin rings of lacing. The aroma is lightly spiced with some citrus. Light-bodied with a zesty spice and citrus character. Some yeast in the background as well. The finish is a little peppery, among other spices. Not bad overall.

Pours a filtered straw gold with a loose and dissipating white head. Aroma is phenolic; peppery, some fusels, lemons with a textured belgian ester character. Body is med-light with moderate CO2. Flavors are accessible to even the lesser pallate yet complex and layered. Corriander, white pepper, cloves and vanilla all come to the show. Finish is fairly sweet and warming. This is a nice Tripel, but it could use a little cleaner alcohol character, higher CO2 and a better looking head.

whoa, this is too sweet. pours a crystal clear golden yellow with a fast fading head. aroma is sweet malts with some spice and tons more of sweet malt. the flavor is more of the same, did I mention this one is too sweet. well, you get the idea.