Allagash Grand Cru

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Bottle from Bevmo: Poured a gloomy and semi hazed orange hue color with a perfect topping of head. Nose is all yeast in respect to a true Belgian fashion. The flavor is creamy and sweet with a rich base of quality malts while there is a spicy blend of Belgian yeast that dominates over all else. This is a prime example of how a grand cru should be.

Pours a hazy gold with lots of sediment. Perfect white head but no lacing. Aroma is faint - cereal malt, bread and yeast. Taste is the same plus an unexpected smokiness that adds a nice twist. Decently hopped too. This is very smooth and drinkable. Exceptionally well-balanced. Could drink this all day.

UPDATED: DEC 25, 2010 Large bottle, Batch 19, gave a generous pop when opened, this ale has a hazy amber-light brown and peach skin (orange-red-dark yellow?) pour with a white and some slightly off-white fluffy head of bubbles that was easily two to three fingers high, there is medium or a bit more effervescence in the glass, the effervescence appeared to increase as the ale sat in the glass, left some lacing on the glass, aromas of spicy yeast, a mixture of light and dark fruits (apples-raisins), fruity esters, bread, some floral notes and sweetness on the nose, flavor of light and dark fruits (raisins), toasted malt, caramel and bread in the background with gentle spices, bruised apples (a good thing), a touch of alcohol warmth (I thought this was a little surprising for a 7.2% drink), a touch of sugar, brown sugar and fruit sweetness, some citrus on the palate to, finishes with some bitterness and lingering malt flavor on the tongue, and there is some pepper at the finish while esters and spices linger after the finish, mouth feel is medium or maybe a touch less along with a being smooth and creamy on the palate, very nice Belgian Strong Ale.

Batch 20Hazy golden brown body beneath an off white foamy head. Aroma of slight skunk, yeast, raisins, bread and banana esters. There was some off flavors, metal, yeast, dark fruits. Decently syrupy mouthfeel and nice retention.

Bottle - Lighter in color than expected... orangish golden color. Aromas of dried fruit, bread, and spices. Nice flavors of similar origin with an extra touch of yeast, and a slight sweet finish. Enjoyable belgian.

Batch 20. Pours with a large, fluffy, tan head over a clear copper body. Aroma is grassy, with coriander, Belgian Candi Sugar, alcohol and bread. Taste is candi sugar, grass, bread, and slightly metallic. Lively carbonation, dry mouthfeel.

Bottle at Coles, Buffalo NY. Deep orange golden poiur. Aromas of Fruitiness, slight clove. Belgian yeastiness & spiciness. Very drinkable & one of my new favorites

Pours golden with an orange rich haziness and a light beige head. Smell is sweet and yeasty with light spice notes. Taste is sweet caramel, belgian yeast and body is full and creamy. Just too sweet and yeasty for me...