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Black Diamond Grand Cru

Score
7251
OVERALLStyle

bottled
available

on tap
unknown

Regional Distribution

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RATINGS: 12   MEAN: 3.45/5.0   WEIGHTED AVG: 3.21   SEASONAL: Winter   EST. CALORIES: 240   ABV: 8%
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COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
For the winter season, we traditionally make a Belgian-style Dubbel; a rich malty pleasure that is the perfect accompaniment to those long winter nights. Last year we decided to play around with the concept and see where it might take us. After much tinkering -with a number of unique ingredients combined with wood barrel aging- we arrived at this wonderful juxtaposition of fruitiness and maltiness which harmonized magically to produce this delicious winter warmer. The designation of "Grand Cru" originates from the Burgundy region of France. Brewers have taken the term and applied to it more elaborate, aged and reserved versions of their beers. Our Belgian-style Dubbel -a great beer itself with a loyal following- has been taken to the next level by the careful blending and aging techniques. We believe we’ve created a classic to be enjoyed throughout the winter months. For 2010, we offer a very limited release of (only 48 barrels) our Winter Grand Cru. In this batch, we’ve added over 100 pounds each of locally sourced Zante Currants and Black Mission Figs. We aged 20% in used Bourbon barrels for 12 months - in which time the warmth of the Bourbon, along with toasted oak and vanilla flavors were released from the wood. Whole Vanilla beans compliment the wood and bring forth a velvety smoothness and richness. The fig flavor is forward on the nose along with the bubble-gum/banana ester derived during fermentation. The taste starts with the rich sweetness of fruit, carries through with a rich mellow center and finishes dry, allowing for another glass as you sit by the cozy fire. Á votre santé!


3.7
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 16/20
Nena (963) - Seattle, Washington, USA - MAR 3, 2012
Dark red brownpour, thin beige head. Vanilla and date aroma, cherry, fig, brown sugar. tastes very heavyon the vanilla, toffee, cherry, plum, fig. Very unusual beer with lots of fruit and barrell character. Actually a little heavy on the vanilla, but quite nice.

3.2
   AROMA 4/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
womencantsail (3927) - Home of Rebecca Black, California, USA - FEB 24, 2012
The pour is a dark brown color with a bit of amber/red to it. There is some mild roast quality to the beer, but it’s mostly sweet. Heavy on the toffee and brown sugar, a little bit of dark fruit character. It’s also got a little bit of sweat/feet to it, strangely. The flavor lacks any foot-like qualities, fortunately. It’s mostly sweet toffee, brown sugar, and some vanilla. A nice dark fruit quality, mostly plums and raisins. I don’t get a lot of the figs, but certainly some currants.

2.8
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 11/20
jrallen34 (3445) - Chicago, Illinois, USA - AUG 15, 2011
draft at Beer Revolution... super dark brown but not black with a thin tan head, gone right away... very malty nose, lots of molasses but alcohol is present... doesn’t taste great a touch alcohol and thin with raisins

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 16/20
bb (4888) - Alamo, California, USA - MAR 22, 2011
Draft. Rich mahogony beer with a cream colored head. Malt and fig/date aroma. Malt and dried fruit flavor with red fruits, yeast, and spice. Medium bodied. malt and dried fruit lingers with yeast and banana.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
BeerandBlues2 (6096) - Lone Tree, Colorado, USA - JAN 10, 2011
Tap at Naja’s. Pours brown with ruby highlights, an average, creamy beige head, long retention with good lacing. Aroma is heavy malt (bread, cookie, caramel, toasted), average hops (floral), and average esters (apple/pear) with vinous notes, alcohol, plum, dates, and cherry. Flavor is heavy malt (cookie, caramel, toasted), average hops (floral, earthy), and average esters (apple/pear) with vinous notes and plum, alcohol. Full body, high warmth, medium carbonation and creaminess with a dry finish.

3.5
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
Lagunitasfan (1290) - San Diego, California, USA - DEC 18, 2010
Hazy orange brown with off-white head. Nose is alcoholic sweet and spicy. Taste is sharp, yet smooth. Lots of dark fruit sweetness and high spice.

3.4
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
marcus (4051) - Sacramento, California, USA - DEC 14, 2010
On tap at Pacific Coast Brewing. Pours dark brown with a thin beige head and a treacle aroma. There is a slightly sour molasses flavor with a dry oak-laced finish.

3.1
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 12/20
jeremytoni (2352) - Swedesboro, New Jersey, USA - DEC 12, 2010
From the tap poured a brown color with a fair amount of head. Strong malty flavor with a quick finish.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
allfreej (466) - Louisville, Kentucky, USA - NOV 30, 2010
UPDATED: DEC 1, 2010 On tap at Beachwood BBQ, Seal Beach. Dark brown pour, reddish highlights, small, tan head with good lacing. Taste is rum, raisins, brown bread, Belgiany yeast, red wine. Nice alcohol warmth in finish. Not much nose, but it was a little cold when served.

3.3
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
nickd717 (3305) - San Francisco, California, USA - NOV 30, 2010
On tap at the Bistro Barrel Aged Fest. Pours from the tap a dark amber-brown color with a small off-white head. The aroma is caramel, chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, oak, and dark fruits. The flavor is decent and complex. I’m getting the dark fruits - currants and figs - that they added. Besides that it’s slightly spicy and Belgian with a decent bourbon presence. Medium-plus bodied with fairly lively carbonation. Decent overall, but not one of the fest’s highlights.


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