Val-Dieu Grand Cru

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

An opaque ebony-amber. A sip, a flush of memories over my mind, as I remember what it was like in my beer aficionado days of two years ago. All those memories of travelling cities, tasting the malts... this beer did for me what fine food and drink is supposed to do -- complement new experiences, and remind you gregariously of the old.

"Poured dark brown with red edges, light brown head solid lacing. Aroma was of spices (coriander, nutmeg, cinnamon). Flavor was was sweet caramel spices and dark fruits. Mouthfeel was smooth and creamy. Solid beer."

750ml bottle, with 09/08 on the cork. Pours a dark brown that’s nearly black, with crimson highlights. The head peaks at about one finger, and fades very slowly to a thick cap that remains throughout the entire beer. Lacing is a thick sheet, almost completely covering the inside of the glass. Smell; lots of dark fruits with dates, plums and a little bit of some figs. Some bready malts are present along with candied sugar and a little bit of vanilla. Taste; the fruits are just as prevalent in the flavor as they were in the aroma. Plums, figs and dates are all there as well as a touch of cherries. The candied sugar adds a nice, but not cloying sweetnees, and the yeasts add a bit of a dying chalkiness. A peppery spiciness mixes very nicely with a bit of an alcohol bite in the finish. Mouthfell/Drinkability; the mouthfeel is full bodied, with a nice smooth carbonation, and the drinkability would fantastic if the alcohol was not so high.

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.

big bottle. brown wih off-white frothy head, nice lacing. Not much aroma, but flavors ofdulce de leche, creme brulee, dark fruits, sweetness. Wow. Hides the alcohol well. Delicious! Who can cellar this for any length of time? An exceptional beer!

Available since October 2004, I got this beer thanks BelgianShop. This beer of brown very dark was been useful in glass Val Dieu. An abundant and tough foam has me continuation reassured as for the quality of this beer, produced by a brewery always getting products of quality.Flavors are subtle and balanced, sweet and lightly spicy, dry and bitter finish. A great beer!!

Cork: 06/06... Poured a very dark brown / red color with a medium sized, light tan, creamy head that left really nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of citrus, coriander, nutmeg, cinnamon, and caramel. Taste of sweet caramel, vanilla, dried fruits, spicy cinnamon, light warming alcohol, and a silky smooth mouthfeel.

From C&C 750. Pours a very dark mahogany with white head. Nose of dark grapes, dark breads, yeasty. Flavor follows, lightly bitter and thick. Palate is thick and creamy. Awesome.