Allagash Grand Cru

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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Spicy like something meant for a Christmas celebration. Clove and pine nose with a taste that reminded me of Hair of the Dog brews! Very sweet at the end, as if it was made with sugars. This was from batch #2 (printed on the label).

Quite spicy, I can very easily taste a hint of cloves and something else I can’t quite put my finger on. Slightly sweet with a slightly fruity aroma. Not too great in the summer, but would be excellent in the winter months.

What a pleasure! Alive with spices- clove, cinnamon. This fits right in with the great Belgians. Starts nicely and gets better. Fruity aroma. Not too sweet to make it cloying. No alcohol burn, just a nice winter warmer spicefest.

This is great. Dubbel like appearance with billowing head. Spicy spicy spicy. Cinnamon, cloves and a little liquorice, with a very nice mouthfeel. This is definitely a winner.

At the Hopleaf in Chicago, on tap! Finally after a year-and-a-half my Allagash tasting is complete. This might be their best, or at least a runner-up. Dark "dubbel" like flat appearance, but with substantial head. Spicy aroma, with some hops and a lot of yeastiness, pepper and citrus. Flavor -- where to begin? Buttery toffee on the tongue; caramel, creme brulee, peaches, apricots; great smooth finish with JUST enough bitterness to keep it from nauseating. It actually does get too sweet as it warms near room temp, so be careful.

continuous bubbles create a long lasting foamy white head. body is thick with floaties and orange/amber. The taste is thick and smooth - lightly roasted malts with pepper, spices, fruitiness. A very light hop closes the swallow dryly. Very excellent. Will have to drink more than a few to fully understand the complexity at work here.

UPDATED: DEC 31, 2003 Batch 6, 750ml. Head is initially large, frothy, off-white, fully lasting. Body is hazy medium amber, bottle conditioned. Aroma is moderately malty (cookie, caramel), moderately yeasty (cobwebs), lightly hoppy (flowers, lemon), with notes of orange peel, clove, coriander, and licorice. Flavor is moderately sweet, moderately acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, moderately acidic, moderately bitter. Medium body, velvety texture, lively carbonation, lightly alcoholic. Very nice Belgian-style brew, just lacks some of the refinement and stylishness of the real deal to make it a world beater.

UPDATED: FEB 12, 2004 Batch 5:corked bottle: Intense hop,spice,malt aromas and flavors.Complex and drinkable. 12oz.Doesn't sit well in the 12oz.Lost a lot of flavor.Aroma simple.Caramel,spices. Sweet mouthfeel was unbalanced by the spices,and hops.Very light palate doesn't help.Flavor is mainly caramel sweetness with a coriander,pepper,unattractive finish..Much better fresh.Rating with both in mind.

Batch #2: Dark, golden honey color. Pours with large, tightly carbonated head - tan in color. Nice nose - complex: orange peel and citrus, with a touch of spice. Crisp, light and refreshing palate. Medium strength flavors: spices, cloves, citrus, grapefruit, orange peel and pepper. Very solid brew!

Not impressed. The Appearance was nice with a thick head, leaving some good belgian lace on my glass. The Aroma was Spicy with a hint of citrus, not bad. But, that is where I stopped liking this beer. The flavor just wasn;t there for me. I was very disapointed.