Val-Dieu Grand Cru

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

750ml bottle, cork is dated 03/09 (fairly sure this is a best by date). So it goes. Richly sweet, indulgent aroma, with suggestions of plum, cherry, red grape, dark chocolate and molasses, along with lighter notes of dried flowers, bubblegum esters and roasty malt. Deep red-brown color, clear, with a lasting, fine, light tan head. Flavor follows the aroma very closely, with darkly sweet, sugary malts dominating fairly easily, blended with dried fruit, candyish tones, faint spice, earth and peppery alcohol along with a very slight degree of tangy bitterness late. Lingering raisin and carob. Palate is a bit syrupy and thick with creamy effervescence and a truly full body. A little one-sided to be included with the best of the style, but a worth a try to be certain.

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.

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.

On tap at the Pianeta Birra, Rimini, Italy.
Dark brown/ruby coloured, small creamy head, sourish nose. Sweet malty and spicy aroma with notes of fruit, yeast and milk chocolate. Light fruity and sweet alcoholic finish.

Mmm, Big and rich, but subtle on the alcohol. Lots of complex fruitiness, with some yeasty spice, big malt backbone, but very dry and dusty. Finishes like candu and lingers on the palate for a very long time, making you lick your lips.

well my beer seems to be a bit different than everyone elses. 750 cork and wire, with label design just as similar as the other bottles in the series except the bottom part is black and states Grand Cru. 10.5% as well and the cork is dated 09/08. First of all the major difference is my beer pours black, Small grey head. Aroma is very present, woodsy, spiced with some candi sweetness. Its a real specific aroma but I cant fully describe it. Its still definitely young and I would follow the brewmasters advice. By the way this bottle doesnt have this description. Taste is pruney Belgian sweetness. Nice sweet and tasty. The body is a bit thin for this style. Low bitterness and a slightly undercarbonated mouthfeel. But still nice even for a young brew, so I could only imagine it getting better.

On tap at the Happy Gnome. Deep amber brew served way to cold at first.This needed to warm up a bit and I was happy I let it do so as I was rewarded with a warming alcohol nectar that was laden with dark fruit flavor with some interesting spices. Anise seed or some thing else that might have been sold in some mMiddle Eastern market.

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.