Flying Fish Grand Cru Winter Reserve

Brewed by Flying Fish Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Ale
Cherry Hill, New Jersey USA

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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Pours a lightly hazy, orangish-gold color. It is pretty well carbonated and creates a fluffy, three-finger thick, pale head. The aroma has a characteristically earthy spiciness to it that I associate with the Chimay strain of yeast, underneath this though is a light fruit character that reminds me of apples and pears. Sharp and lightly phenolic the yeast derived aromatics help to balance the fruit and sweet grain notes. All in all a pretty nice aroma is on this beer. While this beer has a great mix of aromatic notes it does seem to fade a bit over time; it just does not have the staying aromatic power that I expect from a great beer.

The taste is sweet throughout with a light tartness that when coupled help to accentuate some green-grape, pear and apple notes. The finish has a touch of alcohol as well as some spicy notes of higher alcohols. The beer has a nice spiciness to it that, when combined with the solid carbonation, gives this beer a certain zippiness. Notes of pepper, spicy ginger notes, some definite clove and a certain amount of lemon zest are just a few of the spice notes that I can pick out of the flavors. This is definitely the tastiest brew I have had from these guys. It captures the complexity of a good Belgian brewed strong ale quite well.

The aroma is belgian yeast, pepper, sweet, fruit. The appearance is a clear amber, white head. The flavor is peppery, fruity. The finish is pepper, pine needles. Medium in body. Good.

A: Pours a cloudy golden yellow color along with a somewhat dinky half-finger eggshell color head with poor retention, but decent lacing. S: Has an interesting cross between a phenolic, yeasty, smell of fruity ale esters (bubblegum, apple, banana), spices, and a noble hop aroma. Works decently enough. T: Opens nicely with a subdued hit of apple, bubblegum, coriander, and banana. The finish, though, falls flat on its face with a withering, murky bitter aftertaste. ABV is hidden well, at least. M: Somewhat low carbonation for this type of beer. The body is surprisingly light and has a slightly dry finish. O: Not bad at all, but it doesn’t really impress me. Having said that, I’d be willing to give it a second chance if it were served at room temperature. Otherwise, this isn’t something I’ll purchase in the future.

12 ounce bottle that poured a orange color with aromas Belgium yeast, malt and mild fruitiness. Flavor was spicy yeast, fruit, sweet malt, very easy to drink.

(bottle). Golden appearance The flavor is sweet Belgian malt and tropical fruits. A decent Belgian-style Jersey ale. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

Slight sourness. Sweet aroma and a nice amber color. On tap at mcgillans..philly. excellent beer.

Recent bottle from New Jersey drive through. Pours an opaque peachy colour with tiny retained head. Belgian yeast aroma, with malt and fruitiness. Average mouthfeel, tingling mouthfeel. More complex flavour profile as it warmed. Satisfying and drinkable.

This was a beer given to me while at Snowshoe. This style is really not one that I enjoy. It taste sweet and yeasty. I try to stay away so I do not impact the overall ratings. We lived near Cherry Hill and do not remember this brewery. The ale poured a hazy light golden color with a frothy head. The yeasty flavors and some spice were noted. Smooth finish with no bitterness.

Shared bottle with Timfoolery. The 3rd of the Flying Fish tasting for the day. Tasted a little of holdiay spices and a bit on the doughy side. Not a bad beer, slightly better than average.

Bottle from Total Wine. Aroma and flavor was of light spice and light Belgian yeast. Had a good amount of carbonation and well made, but I likely wouldn’t buy it again. Pretty good beer. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

Golden orange with a wispy white head. Aroma is earthy and fruity with breast malt. Flavor has light yeast spice, fruits, dough, and a bit of sweetness. It’s ok. Flying Fish doesn’t really do it for me though.