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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22 oz. Batch 9, 2005. Nice hazy amber color, with a dense head. Somewhat sweet malty flavor. Seems to get more fruit and spice undertones as the bottle wears on. Could finish a tad cleaner. Really enjoy the complexity. Overall an excellent brew.

UPDATED: FEB 14, 2007 ORIGINAL RATE (8-6-2006): Odd that I found this at the South Portland Hannaford in the middle of the summer, but it was in the remnants of the last 4-pack of them. Hazy amber body with thin light tan head. Smells spicy, with yeast and hop notes. Tastes sweet, kind of fruity and spicy with just a hint of smoke. Honestly I have never ever been disappointed by Allagash, and this has not broken their streek. Possibly the best Maine brewery, especially if you’re more a fan of the Belgians than of the British Isles beers (that most other Maine brewers focus on) Check plus! I’d definitely get this one again.

RE-RATE (2-14-2007): 750ml brown bottle from Florian’s. Murky orange-amber body with a little less than an inch of off-white head. Smells sweet, fruity, and spicy. A plethora of spices dominate the flavor with more orange peel on the finish. Very well ballanced, pleasing flavor. Light to medium in mouthfeel, with a fair bit of carbonation. The combination of flavors and lighter body make this an extremely drinkable brew for the style and ABV. I’m very impressed, and am glad I picked up a couple extra bottles to cellar.

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.

750 ml in Westmalle glass. Slightly hazy reddish-orange with lasting pale orange head and lace. Orange-lemon-spicy-doughy aroma. Sweet and spicy with honey, candy sugar, peach, and spicy coriander and mild bitter finish. Medium-full body and medium carbonation. Has the soft mouthfeel of the best Belgian beers. Excellent.

Colour is cloudy-amber orange. Minimal head on mine, but I think it was partly due to the glass I was provided with. Great peach-tangerine aroma. Smooth and tasty, hard to put my finger on the flavours, but not bitter or too alcoholic. I’m a fan of the Allagash beers and this one deserves the designation of "Grand Cru".

Great copper/ golden brown color. When poured with a head you get a nice aroma of citrus and spice. Very refreshing drink that goes down easily. Paired nice with Chilean sea bass dish.

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.

750mL bottle corked and caged from Holiday Wine Cellar (Escondido, CA). Batch #15 -- from my research, it appears that this is around 2.5 years old. Pours a deep orange-amber. One finger of white frothy head with amazing staying power. Really, I’m still waiting for it to dissipate and it’s just not happening. Fragrant aroma of flowers, jasmine, tropical fruit, and banana. Flavor is really complex and difficult to describe but there is a nice mellow fruitiness and a hint of spice Nicely hopped with a bit of lingering bitterness in the finish. Overall, there is an excellent balance between the sweet and the bitter. Near the bottom of the glass now, and still the foamy head is holding up! A very good beer -- I think the aging did it well.

A: "Batch 19". Poured with a large, off-white, frothy, rocky head that was lasting... and I mean LASTING. Nice, sticky lacing. Body is a dark copper color, and hazy. S: Nice aroma that is yeasty and bready, with clove and pepper coming through. Some fruitiness is present as well. T: The yeast and fruitiness is what hits you first, then the spices attack. Luckily, they’re not overwhelming at all, but provide a nice balance to the other flavors. M: Medium-bodied, very creamy, with average-to-lively carbonation. D: This is a very nice beer, which is no surprise coming from Maine’s best brewery. A fantastic sipping beer.

Cloudy golden body with a thick white head, nice traces of fruit and spice, great balance of malt. A super ale.