Grand Cru
Allagash Brewing Company

Grand CruGrand Cru
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From:
Allagash Brewing Company
 
Maine, United States
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
Ranked #39
ABV:
7.2%
Score:
91
Ranked #7,047
Avg:
4.08 | pDev: 9.56%
Reviews:
458
Ratings:
657
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 01, 2022
Added:
Apr 23, 2001
Wants:
  100
Gots:
  35
Grand Cru is brewed with a touch of peated malt and spiced with coriander, sweet orange peel and a hint of anise. It is deep golden in color, full bodied and has hints of smoke and licorice in the taste and aroma. The malty, warming finish is perfect for colder weather.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BeerAdvocate:
Photo of BeerAdvocate
Reviewed by BeerAdvocate from Finland

3.7/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Beer review from BA Mag Dec 2007.

You've probably seen the term "grand cru" in the wine world to denote wines from favorable terroir. Although the same concept of terroir can also be applied to beer, in the beer world the term is loosely applied to special release Belgian-style ales--it's not a specific beer style.

Pours turbid, dark and dirty amber, with a slightly off-white foamy head--nice stickage. Very aromatic with soft and powdery spices--cardamom and nutmeg come to mind--and a splash of orange and fresh grainy malts. Smooth, medium-bodied and creamy on the palate--thanks to a lively carbonation. Zesty smacking of hops. Fruity and sweet with a solid malty base, suggestions of citrus fruits (more orange), bready malts and hint of smoke. Spicy with a dusting of black pepper, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and yeast. Apple and pear flavors hand in the back with some alcohol and mild esters, with some green banana towards the finish. Biscuity and a bit doughy with a coarse, somewhat dry finish that's tannic and yeasty.

Though it's a bit rough around the edges due to bottle-conditioning and spices, it's delicious, full of character and a nice change of scenery from the typical winter seasonal releases. For a cleaner experience, we recommend that you store this beer cool for several days, allowing things to settle, and decant slowly in order to leave as much of the sediment in the bottle as possible--if you want a spicier experience, decant the sediment.
Aug 01, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by LAM01833 from Massachusetts

Aug 01, 2022
 
Rated: 3.81 by emerge077 from Illinois

Mar 18, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by BEER88 from North Carolina

Jan 22, 2020
 
Rated: 3.6 by Futbolmanby from Michigan

Sep 09, 2019
 
Rated: 4.06 by brandoneast from Texas

Jun 18, 2019
 
Rated: 3.75 by fthegiants from California

Apr 27, 2019
 
Rated: 3.94 by dsippel from Illinois

Sep 27, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by Sanchezrox23 from Virginia

Oct 10, 2017
 
Rated: 3.81 by Plonk from Alabama

Sep 10, 2017
 
Rated: 3.94 by Biggiekrock627 from Maryland

Jun 27, 2017
 
Rated: 4.03 by Zylod from West Virginia

Dec 31, 2015
 
Rated: 4.06 by iRun2Beer from Minnesota

Sep 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by kingjohnh from New Mexico

Jun 21, 2015
Photo of founddrama
Reviewed by founddrama from Vermont

3.92/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
LOOK: Burnished-gold color and a big dense frothy head.

SMELL: Coriander and anise, I'd say. A little perfumy? Festive.

TASTE: Citrusy-spicy. Those spice notes from the aromatics open up in the mouth. A little bit of caramel maltiness. Very little bitterness.

FEEL: Medium-to-full bodied. Good carbonation helps the flavor profile open up a bit.
Mar 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.83 by impending from California

Feb 18, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by allstar255 from California

Feb 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.99 by mltobin from Connecticut

Jan 24, 2015
 
Rated: 4.09 by wethorseblanket from California

Jan 07, 2015
Photo of JGam115
Rated by JGam115 from New York

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Golden tinge and opaque. Earthy malt, slight farmhouse, roots. Slight anise finish. Another great one
Jan 02, 2015
Grand Cru from Allagash Brewing Company
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 657 ratings