hazy, dark copper body with dark ruby highlight, moderate lacing, thick tan head that diminishes slower than its classic version; medium sweet, medium sour though more than the classic, hints of wood and cherry, additional notes of vinegar and grapefruit; smooth, fuller than the classic, with more spritz and spike; still good, not as simple as the classic.

22oz bottle. Pours a hazy red with a minimal super foamy sticky head. Huge nose of cherry and vinegar, wow this one really opens up your nose. Really acidic but it makes me want to sip. Flavorwise it matches the nose but its not quite as aggressive. At first its a real shock but if you sip this beer it becomes more nuanced and refreshing. Tons of vanilla oak in the flavor balanced with huge quantities of sour cherry and a dash of vinegar. This is a crazy brew and a damn good one. Well done.

Wow. I have never tasted anything quite like this one. It pours a dark reddish-brown with an amazingly complex aroma of acidic vinegary tart cherry, sherry, and earth. The flavor was much of the same with some dustiness in it with a slight cherry and vinegar finish. Wow, this beer has done very well doing both sweet and sour, deep and acidic.

Pours a crimson red with slight white head. Aroma is awesome, fruity and lots of alcohol. Flavor is sweet with esters. Just a bit of sour. Not too much. But really nice. Good balance.

750ml $7.99 Binny’s Orland Rodenbach Grand Cru pours a murky, somewhat hazed rust with lively carbonation rising to the surface. A minimal head of one finger showed up on the pour and left fingers of lace as it fell to a respectable cap. A good looking beer without a doubt and just what would be expected from the style. Each swirl brings about a sticky head and great aromas. Cherry Sweet Tarts start things of and quickly lead into a tart cherry character. A great sweet and sour (vinegar) character punctuate this brew. Slight acidity tickles the nose and light waves of oak weave in and out of the sweet and sour. The smell of this beer makes my mouth water uncontrollably. The flavor mimics the aroma. A sweetened candy-like cherry flashes through upfront before tart cherry and cider vinegar wash over the taste buds mid palate. Ghost-like oakiness pokes its head out occasionally but just as quickly disappears. The slight sweetness shows up again on the finish to combine with the sour and oak to create a blast of flavor. Grand Cru is an exceptional beer and a true benchmark of the style that I never tire of. The body is on the lighter side of medium and shows off a great silkiness. Carbonation is lively and awakens the tongue a bit but is very soft and natural. Extremely thirst quenching but gives that slight pucker as well. Rodenbach’s Grand Cru is an incredibly easy drinking beer. All at once deep in flavor and complexity with a great ability to quench the thirst this beer leaves. This bottle is a pleasure to put away. This, to me, is the benchmark of the style. A truly great beer for the ages and one I always try to keep on hand. I just can’t get enough of the Grand Cru. 5/26/08