Allagash Grand Cru

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Pours out a hazt brown color with a froathy white head. Aroma is fruity, and spicy. Flavor has a nice sweetness to it with a wonderful spicy yet yeasty finish. Another outstanding brew from allagash.

Murky orange-gold with big, creamy off-white head / Banana and spice nose / Full, lush, malty body with creamy, long, slightly bitter, finish / Flavors of banana, orange, coriander, smoke, and licorice / Outstanding and interesting syle of Belgian ale. A winter white.

Cloudy caramel/orange pour with auburn hues. Awesome retention of a fizzy and bulbous beige head. Lacing is the typical Allagash masterpeice, thick and near-full coverage. Aroma is light, swet malts that have a touch of berry about, complex yeast also releasing light berry esters, floral hops in reserved quantities, dark candy sugars, mild spicing and brown sugar and toffee in moderation. Lovely really, though I get the feeling there could be less and still be a contender, perhaps a more enticing aromatic experience. Flavor is initially sweet and moderately spiced, toffee and pepper evenly matched in a race to be the foremost spicy nuance. Alcohol that was masked in the aroma is now ever-present, unrelenting, a surprise. Fruity yeast is in a desirable quantity. Finishes full, dry and brief. Palate is medium bodied with ample carbonation. This is perhaps the only recipe from Allagash I wish they would alter, otherwise I’m definitely a fan.

Batch 10: Pours amber with a thick lasting head. This beer has a bit less carbonation than other allagash brews. Aroma is very sweet and lightly acidic. Very interesting. Hay and citrus come to mind. Something interesting in the flavor- my old soccer cleats, not in a bad way though. Mouthfeel is surprisingly round and smooth. Finishes with slight alcohol, I’ve come to realize this is a characteristic of all Allagash brews- the alcohol comes out briefly in the finish, just to remind you that it is there, but never overwhelming. Plenty of lacework. Damn good. Try this one with fried chicken and bbq sauce and kfc will become one of your favorite places to eat.

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.

12 oz bottle: Medium sized off white head on a hazy medium amber body. Laces well. Bready and and light caramel malt aromas with a perfumey floral hop and plum fruits. Light lemony citrus aroma, and seems a little grassy & metallic as well. Flavor is well balanced with toasty malt and plum fruits. Some resin hop flavors with lemony citrus. Balanced toward bitter in the finish & aftertaste. Very dry, astringent m/f pretty much ruins this beer for me. Higher carbonation, lighter medium body, well hidden alc. As I said, the harsh resiny m/f ruins this beer for me. I like the plum fruitiness and balance of the malts in the flavor, but I can’t get past the harsh astringency.

Slight fruity malty aroma. Orange brown with a small white head. Some floral hoppy flavors and a nicely spiced finish.

Dark amber/cider color; Medium creamy body; Aroma of yeast, sweet malt, fruit, & spice; Flavor of sweet malt, yeast, caramel, fruit, some clove, citrus, and spice; Nicely balanced & complex; Overall, great brew (batch#19).