Allagash Grand Cru

Silky and smooth, this cloudy maize colored brew sports a heavily honey-influenced flavor with light fruity notes. Hops character is subdued with the honey sweetness taking the starring role. Even tastle profile with not much change from the beginning to the end of the swallow. Good lacing seals this beer’s place in the winners circle. The only aspect I did not care for was the overly soft carbonation profile.

Light brownish color with a lingering white head. Taste is malty with some nice mild spice kick to it.

Hazy orangish brown color with a medium off white head. Spicy nutmeg, orange zest and malt aroma. Nice mild nutmeg, orange zest, malt and hops flavors. Lightly dry hops finish.

Very attractive appearing brew, pouring medium copper color with a nicely retained tan colored head. Aroma is rather enigmatic. Lightly estery with black licorice, yeast ans light spices. Flavor has more licorice and a bit of light fruitiness like pears. The resounding quality of this beer is a mouthfeel that resembles the finest silk with cream. Absolutely perfect palate.

Another immensely drinkable Belgian style offering from Allagash. Cloudy orange/brown colour. It’s a big beer, but not over the top. Quite hoppy and spicy, with some residual sweetness. On tap at the Founders, Alexandria.

12 oz bottle pours cloudy orange-amber with a nice bubbly off white head that lasts, leaves a sticky lacing in my glass. Spicy clove and fruity aromas, sweet pear, melon and spicy pepper flavors, medium body with a crisp, carbonated mouthfeel, spicy finish, wow this is phenomenal.

2004 12 oz bottle
As it decants I begin to smile. What a beautiful pour; dark caramel brown with lots of dark yellow and slight golden tinges. Small light beige head. Aroma of light yeast, caramel and dark candi sugar. Lightly spicy cinnamon and hops. Flavor is quite yeasty and malty, but it’s got enough dryness from the yeast to balance it. The carbonation is a bit too much, but still, the flavor stays lightly sweet and full of chewy toffee. Chocolate fudge and belgian yeast on the finish, with a medium , quite carbonated body. Interesting. this stuff begs another sample. Rerate. Here’s another sample. Slight notes of cork, I’m picking up on, and it’s quite unfiltered but there is a very off-note near the finish. A harsh alcohol/bitterness, highly sharp and astringent. Overall, the flavor is good, but does not compare to the strength or sheer quality of Southampton Grand Cru, a comparable beer to this. This is certainly a wonderful beer, but it dosent have all the yeast nuances, subtle spices integrated perfectly with the malt and perfect mouthfeel like the SH Grand Cru.
2006 draught
Very easy drinking, was the first thing that jumped out. Not overly spiced, with some nuttiness, typical yeast acidity from Allagash and plenty of soft, yellow fruits and a nice honey-vanilla maltiness. Reserved aroma, however, very clean with just some malt sugars and light esters breaking through. I really like the restraint. Strong appeal of texture, with unfiltered malt and yeast suppleness and engaging carbonation. Hopefully it ages well, as I’ve got some very old bottles.

2004 offering. Paid $1.49 for a 12-oz single. Appearance is murky brown with a tan head. Scent is candy, caramel, fruit- lotsa fruit. Lovely! Flavor has passionfruit and licorice in it... malty, maybe some cherry. Alcohol is hidden behind the licorice flavor. Has a hint of cinnamon in there as well. A nice offering.