North Coast Cru dOr (Whole Foods)

Bottle. Moderate malt aromas of roasted, nutty, caramel and milk chocolate, light herbs and leather for the hops and yeast, with wine and toffee in the background. Head is small, fizzy, off white, with no lacing and is instantly diminishing. Color is murky brown. Flavor starts moderately sweet and finishes moderately sweet and lightly acidic and bitter. Palate is medium bodied, oily bordering on creamy, and has a lively carbonation. It finishes lightly alcoholic and slightly drying. Big on the malts, it lacked a large yeast profile but it’s definitely an enjoyable Belgian Strong.

Pours a nice amber color with a small head. Aroma of caramel, malt, yeasts and esthers. Flavor is banana, malt, yeasts, spices. Pretty good, but nothing spectacular.

bottle. aroma is akin to a tripel - spicy and lightly sweet. smooth full palate. light toasted caramel and bread flavors. a tad on the sweet side, but makes a nice sipper. alcohol gives it an edge but doesn’t detract at all. very nice and good for the price.

Butterscotch colored with decent, creamy tan head / Nose of sweet malt and caramel / Medium to full body with thick, slightly cloying malts, with good dry hop underpining and finish / Flavors of caramel, toasted dry hops, and banana / Lacking some complexity, but good.

Lack of carbonation and head-retention are the major flaws in this otherwise tasty beer. Pours dark amber with a banana nose with sweet malt and honey notes. There’s a Belgian feel in the mouth and a bread yeast lingering element. Tasty, but not outstanding-would be good at about $2/bottle.