Val-Dieu Grand Cru

[Sampled as Val Dieu Winter] A hazy dark amber beer with sediment floating around and with no head. The aroma is spicy with ginger standing out together with notes of oranges. The flavor is also sweet spicy again with ginger being most dominant. Reminds me more of Christmas than anything Grand Cru, but I like it.

(Bottle 75 cl) Pours a slightly hazy, dark orangey brown with an almost non-existing head. A rather refined, vinous aroma with notes of dried fruit. Lightly tart nose - almost a tad like a Flemish sour. Body only appears medium with sweetish, roasted malt, raisins. candy sugar - all the good stuff. Almost trappist like. Delicious indeed. 210506

Bottled at Akkurat, Stockholm. Dark ruby, firm rich head. Fruity cherry aroma with grainy malt underneath. Sweet with dense bready caramelly malt. Really full bodied. Concentrated flavours of cherries, malt and candi sugar. Vinous notes of alcohol. No bitterness. A massive ale, think Kasteel Donker, but less sweet and a bit grainier.

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.

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)

Bottled. Dark amber colour with mediumsized white head. Aroma is licorace, yeast and malts along with alcohol. Flavour is dominated by plum, yeast and toffee. Alcohol and malty hints are in background. Very wellbalanced beer and great palate.

Vinous aroma. Dark brown colour. The flavour is also quite vinous, alcoholic and peppery with an acidic touch. 6 3 7 3 13

Bottle, 10.5% at Frederikshavn øl- og vinfestival 07. Dark brown colour, small floaties. Very malty flavour, nicely sweet. Lots of dried fruit. Very good mouthfeel. 8 4 9 4 19

Bottle. Clear orange brown coloured with a beige head. Aroma of fruits, citrus and spices. Sweet flavour of fruits, spices and dried fruits.