Allagash Grand Cru

Brewed by Allagash Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Portland, Maine USA

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

750ml bottle (batch 5 estimated to be 7-8 years old)... Pours a dark rub red dark brown with a thin soapy head... Dark fruits and mild oxidation with some cola and light spice... Oxidized, papery, and pretty thin and watery with dark fruits and some very subtle spice.

Earthy malt, sweet white wine grape. My buddy says tarragon and I agree. Spicy and sour like Orval, just not quite as epic.

Dark muddy golden brownish pour in the glass. Nose and taste of licorice, lightly smoked wood, fruits and spices such as coriander and sage. Rated 7/2/02

Poured from a 750 ml into my large Duvel tulip glass. A- This is an exceptional appearance for a Grand Cru or Belgian Strong Amber. Pours an opaque, very bright orange-amber, with a large 3+ finger white head. The head consistency is between foamy and creamy-which is interesting-I haven’t come across many like this. The head subsides slowly to a nice 1 finger and has perfect retention from there. Lots of lacing is left behind in the glass. I turned the bottle upside-down several moments before pouring to let the yeast mis through-out. Cloudiness is opaque but lively-you can see it moving around in the glass. S-Smell is subtle but nice. Nose is dominated by exotic fruit and a subtle yeast backbone. Floral hops accent. T- The overall flavor is subtle and very smooth. Initial flavor is dominated by exotic fruit but has a very smooth, yeast backbone. Lots of floral hop flavor comes out for the finish but is balanced by the strengthening of the initial flavors. What lingers is a bready sweetness, and exotic fruit flavor, and a low-to-medium strength floral hop bitterness. The overall flavor is smooth, subtle, and dry. P- Mouthfeel is exceptionally smooth and creamy. Body is between light and medium weight and is dominated by a yeasty smoothness. Carbonation is between light and medium. Perfect for the style. O- This is a very nice Grand Cru. ABV is fairly well hidden-but you can tell its there if this is not your first drink. This is a great, smooth, and subtle example of a Belgian Grand Cru. One I will have again. Allagash has shown to be a nice brewery for Belgians time and time again (this is my 4th of their line-up). I look forward to trying more. Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 02-28-2008 05:21:44

Batch #16. Aroma is scotch tape and esters. Flavor is a little sweet, but ending dry. Flavor is slightly tart, with notes of fruit and spice.

A thick tan head is almost half of the initial pour. Color is golden with a bit of amber. Moderate carbonation. Fruity aroma with a hint of must and vanilla. Flavor has a lot going on and most of it is subtle. Multiple fruits such as banana, plums, peaches, apricots, and raisin, sugar, soft spices, yeast, caramel. Subtlety is the key word here. A very well done and understated beer.

Batch 20 - 750ml bottle
Appearance: Slightly hazy golden with a nice off white head that lasts and some lacing
Aroma: Belgian yeast and spices
Taste: Spices at first then fruits, finishes with a light grapefruit flavor
Well balanced and easy drinkability. Clean and crisp, very tasty.

Batch 20-750 bottle. Hazy orange color. Nose is yeasty, spicy, citrusy-interesting for a grand cru. Taste is citrusy, spicy, alcohol is evident but not overwhelming, yeasty. Lively carbonated, light body. Unlike the description, I would find this to be a good summer beer. Very drinkable.