Val-Dieu Grand Cru

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

Brown bottle, 75 cl, best before 03/10, via Importations Privées Bièropholie, savoured on October 18 2008; eye: ruby, clear, voluminous tan head that turns into a nice sheet, lots of lacing; nose: yeast, spices, caramel, fruity, alcohol; mouth: foamy, caramelized malt, alcohol, candied fruits, maple water, yeast, light ash, finale in caramelized malt with a light presence of spices, rich, rather sweet, slightly bitter, medium body, sticky texture, not much carbonation; overall: quite likalbe FRANÇAIS Bouteille brune, 75 cl, meilleure avant 03/10, via Importations Privées Bièropholie, savourée le 18 octobre 2008; œil : rubis, claire, mousse fauve abondante qui se transforme en une petite couverture, pas mal de dentelle; nez : levure, épices, caramel, fruité, alcool; bouche : mousseuse, malt caramélisé, alcool, fruits confits, eau d’érable, léger cendré, levure, finale en malt caramélisé avec une légère présence d’épices, riche, plutôt sucrée, à peine amère, corps moyen, texture collante, peu carbonatée; en résumé : bien aimé

Bottle: Poured a clear deep brown color ale with a full foamy head with good retention and great lacing. Aroma consists of sweet malt with some candi sugar and some dry fruit characteristics. Taste is also a well balance mix between rich Belgian malt with notes of candi sugar and some dry fruits such as raisins and plums. Full body with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Very well done and some thing that I would have on a regular basis.

Color of dark motor oil with a light tan head. Pleasant dark fruit and malt nose. Sweet, overripe fruit flavor, but with some bite. Less alcohol warmth than expected and little aftertaste. A very enjoyable beer that I think others who don’t generally drink craft beers might like.

Deep ruby in colour with large off white head. Hoppy nose with raisin and rum to compliment. Thin body, deeeeeeeep flavour - sweet berries and spice; an odd contrast that works wonders. Nutty finish that ends all too abrubtly.

Sampled on draught: Pours a deep mahogany colour with a small off white head. Rich, bready with notes of spice and berry fruits. Aroma is pleasent, with raisins, toast, maple syrup and apple cider notes. As I mentioned, it is a rich complex brew, but still clean on the palate.

Murky scotch amber with thin cream covering. Wonderful yeast zest kisses the nose with some flanders sours and farmhouse notes. One of the most olfactorily intriquing brews since my last Fantome Black Ghost experience several years back. Flavor is certainly not a letdown. Heaven meats farmhouse. Complex yeastiness with viscous malty greatness and touches of saison & flanders. Light chocolate and cherry-apricot., rather sweetish candi malts. Dazzling array of aromas and flavors that meld and play of each other in symphony. The sum is greater than the parts.

750 ml, bb 02/09. Barely translucent chestnut with a small head that leaves some soapy lace. Aroma of raisins, prunes, cherry, brown sugar, light rum and chocolate. Flavors of caramel, lightly tart cherry, chocolate raisin, date, peppery oak and cedar, and some sour whiskey. Medium body is lightly carbonated, has a slight hop tingle, some nice alcohol warming and finishes dry. Lots of delicious big malt flavors, but also good balancing flavors found in this one.

Dark chestnut reddish brow with a huge head that shows no signs of fading. Softly spiced candi sugar aroma with a bit of bubble gum. Very intricate spectrum of flavors, ranging from those in the aroma to the dark fruits, and light roasty components. Finishes with soft candi sugar and only briefly hot alcohol. Otherwise etoh is well hidden. $9/750ml