Val-Dieu Grand Cru

Brewed by Brasserie de l’Abbaye du Val-Dieu
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Aubel, Belgium

On tap @ Chez Moeder Lambic. We sat outside, where it was dark and chilly. I wanted a winter warmer, and this did the trick. Unfortunately it may have been served a bit too cold, as happens so often on draft... A dark brown, nearly black beer with a thick, creamy head that lasted all... the... way. Some sweetish, malty aroma that took a while to show through (too cold!). The flavor was lightly sweet with a nice backdrop of roasted malt, some very faint dark-fruit notes that were nearly missing from my glass. The dominant characteristic here was that thick, creamy mouthfeel... very full body made it nice to sip and roll over the tongue. Lightly bitter, just enough to balance shift the alcohol from boozy to a cozy level of warming. Fun to drink, and it did the trick, but it may be missing some complexity. I’ll look for it in the bottle for a re-rate.

Bottle. Rich dark mahogony with a big dark cream colored head. Malty,spicy, earthy, slight raisin aroma. Raisin, rich malt, caramel flavor with slight earthy/yeasty backing. Medium-full body. Slight alcohol warming, but in background. Lingering caramel, rasin/fig, and yeast.

Draught. At Cole’s, Buffalo, NY. What a surprise - this was pretty awesome stuff! Dark ruby-black, with a solid creamy mottled beige/light brown head. The aroma was all about the sweet caramel/candy malt and heavy sweet spice, light floral hops - it hid the booze really, really well - made me think of Christmas. The taste .... right on the money - the aroma seemed more complex, this was just sweet caramel, hints of candied fruit, alcohol and yeast. Average body, light carbonation, a little drying alcohol in the linger .... Very, very good, I’d have it again.

From Bottle. Reddish brown, slightly hazy with a lasting white head. Roasted malts nose hints of plum and raisins but not overwhelming aromas from the glass. Caramel, toffee and plum in mouth with a dark chocolate finish. Nice complexity and balance. Small carbonation and intense flavours. An excellent beer which needs some more volatility in the air to give more aromas.

Dark brown beer with lots of sediments. Head is almost abscent and aroma has spices, overriped fruits and toffee. Sweet flavor with plums, raisins and roasted malt. Finishes of with a nice touch of warming alcohol.

Draught: Poured a dark chocolate brown color with a beige creamy head. Sweet candy aroma. The taste is a sweet dark malt flavor finishes dry and rich with chocolate caramel. Hints of nuts as it warmed up.

Draught @ 9th Belgian Beer Weekend, Brussels. Dark brown color with a average, frothy, good lacing, mostly lasting, beige head. Aroma is moderate yeasty, moderate malty, roasted, caramel, medicine. Flavor is moderate sweet with a average to long duration. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft. (010907)

big bottle. brown wih off-white frothy head, nice lacing. Not much aroma, but flavors ofdulce de leche, creme brulee, dark fruits, sweetness. Wow. Hides the alcohol well. Delicious! Who can cellar this for any length of time? An exceptional beer!