Michigan Brewing Celis Grand Cru

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

Bottle from Bella Vino in Ann Arbor. Another one being rated out of order - HogTownHarry, I bet this is driving you crazy! Pours a clear bright golden colour with a pillowy white head that quickly dissipates. The clarity of the beer surprised me as I was expecting something a more wit-like appearance, but the wit connection becomes obvious in the aroma, which holds notes of yeast, spice and orange zest. The orange comes through strong in the flavour as well - sweet off the top, tart and dry in the finish - alongside some tingly spiciness and a pleasant alcohol warmth. The body is a bit on the sticky side, and it’s not quite as assertive as the Hoegaarden Grand Cru I tried recently, but it certainly holds up well against it. Nice stuff that’s a bit underrated.

Draught. At 2006 Michigan Brewers’ Guild Festival. Clear pale yellow with a small white head. Very light aroma of banana, fruit, soft spice and grain. Taste of sweet malt, less fruit character, has a long, somewhat alcohol-harsh finish, too much booze considering there’s not much yeast, spice or any other character to distract you from it. Weak body, pretty average at best palate - just too weak, ultimately.

A strong beer? Hmm, grand cru, ok, sounds good. Pours a little lighter than expected, good head and lacing. Aroma is herbal, clove, sweet. Taste is thick sweet with lots of spice - corriander, clove, pepper, orange, yeasty, finishes with a short blast of alcohol and more spice. Easy to drink if you’re not bothered by all of the spices at play.

Bottle: Clear golden color, white head. Aroma of yeast, banana, and cloves. Flavor, a little sweet, spice, yeast and pale malts. Nothing special, but not bad.

(Bottle) Pours a lightly cloudy golden body with a small creamy off-white head. Aroma of clove, banana, and spicy yeast. Flavor of cloves, light fruit, and banana with a creamy, spicy finish.

Aroma is spicey,herbal, and slightly hoppy. The color is a nice golden with a small white head. Flavor is spicey with some pepper and a touch of sweetness.

bottle. Aroma: spice, yeast, hint of banana, and wheat. Appearance: Gold in color and clear. Almost no head to speak of. No lacing. Flavor: Peppery, floral, citrus, and a little pineapple flavor. Belgian yeast also very noticeable. Spiciness is aggressive. Palate: Light bodied. Carbonation was a little prickly throughout. Finish is dry and holds some nice floral and spice. Overall: Not too bad. I enjoy the spiciness of this, but wish there was a bit more depth.

From bottle. Pour a clear yellow with thin white head. Nose has a yeast spiciness with hints of dark fruits. Flavor is similar and light overall.