Val-Dieu Grand Cru

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

Deep amber colour with an off white head. Yeasty and spicy aroma with notes of fruit and wood. Flavor of dark fruit and some caramel sweetness. Light spicy finish.

Draught: (Sold as Grand Cru) Bronw red coloured. Brownish huge dense head. Sweetness, alcohol, light fruit and some spices in the aroma. Flavour of caramel, flowers and light roast. Is quite full bodied. Is fruity and light burnt in the end. Very good one.

Bottled, 75cl. Almost brown with an off-white head. Sweet aroma with dried fruits and some alcohol-notes. Malt, caramel, licorice, dried fruits, spices and hops in the flavor. Full, sweet body. Would like to try this one with a Christmas dinner. (060328)

My Bottom Line:
Doughy yeast, toasted malts and berry-infused caramel coalesce in this pillowy Belgian Strong Ale, leading to a leafy, wet earth-like hop bitterness.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A sheet of white foam laces atop the burgundy-laced dark brown.
-Alcohol is amazingly well hidden.
-Bubbles are plentiful yet soft on the palate.
-The mouthfeel is not too heavy for a beer this size; dextrins are levelled and dried out just enough in the finish.

Bottle.

750ml bottle. Dark cola brown colored body with a tan head. Sweet nose of candied bananas and light spice, flavor is basically the same, oversweet candied bananas notes, some funky clove, and a light spiciness from the yeast, and some red wine or grape juice flavors as well. I wanted something similar to Abbaye des Rocs Grande Cru, but unfortunately this wasn’t it.

Cork escapes quickly as the cage was tossed. Dark brown liquid with a moderate light tan head that settles to a thin dense lid. Aromas of dark bread dough, with currants, light grapes, mild orange and a hint of spice. Smooth palate that seems to get somewhat sticky at times. Sweet fruity flavors abound. Stewed prunes, dates, figs, bananas, pears, apples, raisins and light citrus and spice. This really does have a wassail quality. Should have cracked this one on Christmas. Nice brew, perhaps not a grand cru, but enjoyable. Does not stay sweet in the mouth and actually dries out a bit in the finish and linger is rather "skinny" with a touch of vanilla left swirling about. This is way to drinkable for 10.5%.

On tap at the Beyerd. Hints of licorice and vanilla in the aroma. Not a strong aroma but nice. Cloudy, very dark brown color, creamy, beige head, very nice lace. Very sweet, fruity sour, light bitter, vanilla, plum and raisin. Very smooth mouthfeel.

Bottle: Nice pop of the cork with a little gushing of oaky brown head. Pours a nice dark brown mahogany color with a nice ruby hue. The nose is bright with raisin and wood, some nutty dark cocoa and dusty almond note. The flavor is meaty with some chewy malts and a slap of alcohol and maple in the tail. A little sweeter than I like in these, but it’s still very nice; quaffable, strong, malty, yeasty. Yum.