Val-Dieu Grand Cru

On tap @ Hamiltons. This is like getting your ass kicked by a nun in garter belts. It hurts, but you can’t help but love it.

Aroma is spicy belgian and sweet caramel. Taste is sugary sweet fruity and spicy, somewhat dull. Unremarkable. 636313 ---re-rate--- Aroma is very similar to my initial perspective. Much sweeter and yeastier than I remember, but in a very good way. Taste is much more "classic" and full in the Belgian tradition as opposed to what I remember. 737314

Malty but not way sweet. Alcohol hidden well. Fruity & a tad spicy. Good Belgian.

75 cL bottle. Pours deep reddish/brown with a dense light brown head. Caramel malty and light fruity nose. Smooth and rather uncarbonated mouthfeel (compared to other Belgian beers). Mild caramel, subdued wineous notes, mellow yeasty flavour and a very controlled brettanomyces citric/acidity in the flavour. Finish holds a soft lingering fruity, caramel and light acidic note. Extremely wellbalance and delicious.

Pours very dark brown with a deep red hue and a small beige head. The aroma has dark toffee, raisins, dates, prunes, alcohol and spices. Medium / full body with semi-sharp carbonation that is in-check and mainly shows in moderation at the finish. The flavor starts with rich brown sugar that isn’t overly sweet along with raisins, earthy yeast, anise and nicely toasted malt. The finish has some phenolic spice and pepper. Big thumbs up for this great BSA.

Bottle. Rich aromas of dark malt and dark fruits. Near opaque brown color with a substantial beige/tan head. Full in body with creamy carbonation. Flavor is darkly malty (not toasted) and the fruits and spice are very tasty. A little heat interjects, but does not really bother the experience. Finish is mildly sweet, but some hop seems to be there for balance.

On tap at Toronado. This dark brown ale poured with a thin tan head. The flavor is very malty with a noticeable candy sugar taste and an alcohol finish.

A Mes rate: 75cl bottle shared at home with our Weasel on my birthday.
Amazing candy floss and creamy alcohol aroma with the usually dull Belgian yeast doing a fine job. The cork came off with a really satisfying pop and the pour was excellent. Comes out a deep dark, almost opaque red brown with a head that makes it such fun to pour. A little too much yeast in the flavour. Slightly spoils the fruit, heavy caramel and glorious alcohol in the background. Chunky alcoholic, spice and yeast finish. Really good stuff.