Val-Dieu Grand Cru

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

Pours a deep brown/red with a big off-white head. The aroma consists of Belgian dark fruit, a peppery spicyness, and bready yeast.The taste is dominated by malt up front, with plum flavors, hops, and more pepper spicyness. Finishes a bit sweet, but has lingering Belgian esters. A well balancedbig beer. The alcohol is well hidden.

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.

Came highly recommended from the local retailer, almost over-hyped. Very nice appearance with a rich brown color and lasting white head. Nice flavor but does not coat the mouth like a quad. Palate was a little fruity but could not put my finger on the dominant flavor. Very enjoyable overall and will enjoy again soon.

(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

Best by 06/06. No bottling date. Dark brown/black. Small, fizzy, off white head quickly disappears. Nose- yeast, alcohol, dark fruits, subtle anise, spices. Same flavors with a backbone of rich, roasty, caramel malt. Medium/full body, balanced carbonation. Excellent. Best Val Dieu I’ve had by a mile.

In short: A big belgian beer with a ton of dark fruits, toffee & such that surprisingly doesn’t feel too “heavy”. Good stuff.
How: Bottle 750ml. Consumed when about 1 year of age (recommended aging according to the brewmaster)
The look: Mahogany body topped by a long-lasting large beige head. A beautiful beer.
In long: A big round full body with plenty of toffee, tar and caramel. Unexpected fruity flavours of apples (?) make quite a contrast. A ton of dark fruits but this time no raisins. I got prunes, figs, and such but no raisins. The body is as full as it can get. The carbonation surprisingly doesn’t have that typical Belgium lively feeling. Just a medium carbonation like I expect from an American Strong Ale. The beer is obviously very hoppy because I had a nice sensation of a balanced beer. However the hops seem to just dry out the beer and do not contribute much to the flavour spectrum except for a timid mild bitterness. Alcohol is a bit apparent. Overall this was more easily drinkable than I would have expected. A good big Belgian beer with a body fuller than a tablespoon of skyscraper.

On tap at River St. Alehouse, Pittston, PA. Very pleasant with its sweet cherry/raisin/date flavors with lots of malts and well hidden alcohol. Maybe a bit too sweet but it has a nice dark color, chewy texture and perfect carbonation.

C&C Bottle on 07/21/2008. Very dark black body with ruby highlights and a medium creamy off-white head. Roasty, toasty, rum soaked fruit, caramel, and molassas aroma. Big spicy flavor, rum soaked fruit, caramel, dark candi sugar with a spicy finish. Medium full body with moderate carbonation.