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RATINGS: 817   WEIGHTED AVG: 3.87   SEASONAL: Winter   EST. CALORIES: 318   ABV: 10.6%
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Bottle conditioned.
AleSmith Grand Cru really needs to be tasted to be truly appreciated. Toasty, caramelly flavors, as well as flavors imparted by the Belgian yeast strain, predominate over a tapestry of subtle nuances. Winner of the blue ribbon at the 1999 California State Fair, it is a thing of beauty. It is available in 750 ml. champagne bottles. Appearance: Crystal clear (when served properly), with a toast-brown color. Flavor: Starts with the tangy flavor of our championship Belgian yeast, then fades to a medium-light flavor of vanilla, caramel and chocolate. Finishes dry and well-balanced with a slightly toasty flavor. Aroma: Vanilla and chocolate aromas predominate, along with the Belgian yeast characteristics. Mouthfeel (body/texture): Clean and crisp, medium-bodied. Warmth from the high alcohol content makes it feel like a fine wine.


4.1
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
timfoolery (595) - California, USA - MAY 5, 2008
Bottle from Liquor Barn in Redding, CA. I got the ’06 bottle from Liquor Barn, chilled, and drank this winner with a friend. There were dark fruit flavors and aroma of flowers throughout. Extremely sweet, malty, and full of flavor. Complex palate. Excellent brew!

3.8
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
Imperial-John (192) - Mississauga, Ontario, CANADA - MAY 3, 2008
Reddish brown with no head. Grape berry Belgian aroma and taste but not bubbly with big head like most of Belgians. Instead reminds me of a barley wine, very warm boozy light port taste.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 17/20
Rusty (1509) - Mesa, Arizona, USA - APR 24, 2008
Pours a brownish red with a small white head. Aroma of fruits, sugars and earthiness. NIce body, and a funky fruity yeasty bitter flavor. This was a very interesting brew, but not at all what I expected.

4
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
pepsiedcan (1042) - The Student Ghetto, Iowa, USA - APR 18, 2008
Pours a funky brown color with a nice sized off white head. Aroma was pleasant apple, raisin, caramel. Similar flavor. I can’t stop thinking of a boozy caramel apple with some belgian yeast character and some vanilla and toffee. No real hint of the abv. Syrupy thick but nice mouthfeel.

3.9
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
sneagrams3 (2336) - St. Louis, Missouri, USA - APR 10, 2008
Tasted 4/5/08. 750ml bottle. Slightly hazy with a beige ring of head. Peppery floral yeasty citrusy nose. Perfumy. Full bodied and sticky. Nice balanced burn. Peppery and slightly bitter. Tingling effervescence. Caramel flavors. Very nice.

3.9
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
blueturk (80) - Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA - APR 9, 2008
Pours deep amber with red highlights and low, quickly fading head. No head throughout most of the session. Other than that, this beer had a nice big aroma with vanilla, dark fruit (raisins). Body was good, maybe a little thin, but full lively Belgian yest and good alcohol warming. A nice beer!

3.6
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
Hudspart (473) - Hudsonville, Michigan, USA - APR 6, 2008
Bottle: Pours brown with a thick head. Aroma of spices and fruits. Not as carbonated as I expected. Alcohol is hid well. Pretty good.

3.6
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
sheatripper (863) - Brooklyn, New York, USA - APR 5, 2008
750 ml. bottle. Pours a mahogany color with a thin head. Spice cake aromas with banana and dark fruit. Flavor of sweet dark fruit (raisin, plum, concord grape, etc.) interlaced with a black pepper, clove and cinnamon spice punch. Warming finish. Fine carbonation. Pretty good, but not great dark Belgian style ale IMO. Expected a better experience given the brewer, but since this a non-IPA I’ll give them a pass.


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Rating Notecard:
Beer: AleSmith Grand Cru Rating Avg: 3.87 No. of Ratings: 817
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