Schlafly Grand Cru

Brewed by Saint Louis Brewery
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Maplewood, Missouri USA

750ml bottle, obtained at the brewpub. Fruity, lightly tart aroma, full of doughy yeast and malt sweetness, with notes of green apple, white grape, citrus, cobweb, flowers, candle wax, dried herbs, mild peppery spice and even a bit of farminess. Clear light rosy amber color, with a lasting, fairly thick head of white and wisps of lace left behind. Flavor begins with a burst of tart citrus and fruit, quickly turning substantially bitter and spicy, finishing with a quick suggestion of toasty, honeyish, very lightly sweet malt flavor, musty, woody yeast and alcoholic tones. Substantially dry, effervescent, mildly warming and moderately acidic palate, body is pretty full. Quite different and unexpected; I can’t say I’ve had much that would be similar to it at all. Mostly enjoyable, though. Would likely be better taken in smaller quantities than an entire 750.

Pours a dark gold color with off white head. Aroma of citrus, banana, spices, yeast, alcohol. Similar taste. Not much of a finish. An enjoyable belgian. Not great though.

Can split with Curly and ScottyP at the Impromtu Woody’s Ticker Tasting. Pours a semi-hazy amber pour with fair light tan head. Massive Alcohol and anise on the nose. Flavors of rum soaked fruit, alcohol, banana, belgian yeast, sweet candi sugar, pepper. Not a huge fan of this one, but still pretty damn good. This one needs some age too.

Interesting beer. It’s one that I’d be happy to drinking in pints in the bar or pub. However, this isn’t a pint beer. It’s a $12.99 per bomber beer. I don’t drink blind so this certainly influenced my rating. It’s a tasty smooth beer, but it’s too one dimensional. Light considering the style. Alcohol is balanced beautifully. That’s probably the most stunning part of the beer. In no way, no how does this beer taste like its 9% alcohol. Other good things about his beer.... beautiful lacing absolutely beautiful. Nice fruit flavors and aromas up front but dies on the finish. OOOOps. Good not great. Would be better if it were cheaper. Simply put, I’m looking for more in a beer when I pay this much.......

A thin bubbly white foam over a toasty orange color. Aromas of citrus peel and banana with a carmalized note. Flavor of tangerine, apricot, undefined spice, and a nice lasting finish. A little dried fruit character also.

Golden orange with a large off-white head that slowly fades away. Aroma of ripe fruit, yeast, sugar and toasted malt. Taste is of over-ripe fruit, alcohol, mild funk and Belgian sugar. Finishes up sweet with some fruit. This one was a bit tough to enjoy.

From a 750. Dark gold, near amber body with a large lightly off white head. The aroma is lightly funky leather with some bread crust and almonds. There is also some cinnamon and prunes to be smelled. The taste has some pears and salty leather. There is also some dark fruit finish of raisins. Booze comes through in the finish that continues that strong raisin note. A weird brew that I really could not enjoy.

Appearance: Pours a clear, bright, orange-gold body with a fizzy inch of white head. Smell: Fragrant fusion of juicy fruits paired with top-notch wine liberally coated with sugars rules the nose with the light, delicate maltiness tucked far, far in back. Taste: Toothsome candy sweetness envelops lesser tastes of bready malts and toasted barley. A few sliced peaches and dried figs. Refill! Splash of Essencia Orange Muscat dessert wine garnished with honeysuckle. Meager hint of hops and bitterness. Slight background yeast component. Some alcohol warmth on the fruity, downright winey finish. Refill! Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Moderate carbonation, certainly on the effervescent side of things. Drinkability: A fine, fun beer! For me, the alcohol was quite well hidden, making this one very drinkable, even downright chuggable.