Allagash Grand Cru

(750 ml bottle (Batch 11) from <A HREF=http://www.ratebeer.com/Place/maine/portland/downeast-beverage-co/974.htm target=blank>Downeast Beverage Co., cellared for 4 mos. after purchase) Pours a slightly hazy golden orange. About a half-inch of biscuit head. Aroma of citrus rind and yeast. Mouthfeel fairly light and very smooth, touch of prickly in finish. Spotty lacing. Taste has a citrusy quality, slight tang especially in finish. Get some notes of banana and grapefruit. Nicely warming. Elegant feel.

This may be my favorite beer by Allagash. Very nice palate and flavor. I love the golden color. The only 2 points that scored low w/ me was the fact that the aroma is fairly flat and that as I drank it, the Belgain lace did not stick to the glass at all.

Courtesy of Crizay <P> Full hoppy floral accented aroma, slightly yeasty. Deep amber to light orange in color with a two finger thick white head. Orange peel, coriander spiciness int he fore. Yeasty and bready with a mild apple fruitiness int he finish. Nice feel in the mouth and the flavor lingers nicely.

Clear deep amber color with a thin creamy white head. Strong spicy aroma. Very spicy flavor with hints of coriander.

Lighter orange/amber, big thick white head. It really does have a belgian like aroma orange and coriander. The flavor is the same the dominant flavors are orange and coriander, orange peel, slight nutmeg, good tasting beer.

Bott. Golden brown with dead-head. Wow, it’s got coriander sweet spice aroma...what a surprise. The taste is a little more interesting, rooty, earthy, vege-fruits with plenty of coariander and a modest amount of sugar sweetness. Pleasant enough.

Bottle (Batch 12): Dull caramel, large off-white head, foamy, good lacing, light to moderate carbonation.   Semi-sweet yeasy/bready nose, slightly floral, very light spices/herbs.   Dull yeasty flavor, muted spices, herbs, and flora.   Not what I would have expected out of a Grand Cru.   Moderate to full body.   Lingering herbs and breadiness.   Good, but not what I remembered from years ago.   Thanks John for the bottles!

Bottled 750. Batch 8. pours a lighter mahogany color with a white head. Yeast and spice in the nose with notes of chamomile and fennel. Flavor is more chamomile and maybe a bit of lavender along with fennel and bread. Slightly sweet. Some astringency.