Grand Cru
Mazama Brewing Co.

I really like Strong Ales for sipping, and I don't recognize the bottle so probably had on tap somewhere. Don't know where or when, but gave it a great rating.

Surprisingly fruity for a Belgian strong pale ale.
Yellow-orange color. Quickly dissipating head. Notes of orangina. Aroma of citrus rins. Sweetness. Very mild bitterness. Almost no effervescent. Sweetness completely masks taste of alcohol or hops.

 

Look: Almost clear rich orange with a white and short-lived head that recedes as I continue pouring and leaves minimal lacing behind
Aroma: Floral notes, wet hay, Belgian yeast, some Candi sugar sweetness, wafts of bready malt, and some honey
Taste: Starts off with bready malt, honey, and yeast and soon is followed with a nice, deep floral bouquet that leans sweet – gardenia, Hall’s honeysuckle, and Japanese skimmia all in the mix. Wet hay, Candi sugar, and some funk weave in and out throughout and continue to blend with the malt and floral aspects nicely. Closes with honey-like sweetness and more yeast notes
Mouthfeel: Full but lighter feeling which isn’t too surprising given the style but is for the ABV, fairly clean, medium carbonation, and soft on the finish with zero detectable alcohol heat
Overall: I’m liking this one quite a bit. I’ve always liked these folks’ Belgian offerings and this Belgian Golden Strong is further proof of my thoughts as it’s well-made and tasty. All the classic Belgian notes are there and it broadens and deepens in aroma/flavor as it warms up, plus like many of the good ones, doesn’t at all drink like the 10% ABV that it is. Recommended

An inviting, comforting looking beer boasting a bright golden orange body with a clarity that reminds me of an overall appearance of an orange Jolly Rancher. Small bubbles crawl their way to the surface, supporting a sturdy white foam speckled with those classic Belgian yeast tanned blotches. Lovely cascading foam laces the glass.

Somewhat of a tart, green apple skin is noticed initially. It almost gives off a wild farmhouse scent. Only a touch of clove spiced orange marmalade is detected, but the big twist comes next. Dried urine. Like the piss smell you can only be fortunate enough to embrace in the back alley of your favorite dive bar or music venue. Perhaps waiting in line for bottle returns at your local Safeway with all the neighborhood “characters” puts it in better perspective.

The flavor is much more pleasant. Lemony, but a little more sweet. More like Meyers lemons, as it has, once again, an orange candy sweetness to it. A more prevalent spice profile suggests clove, anise, and black pepper. That Belgian yeast influence is obvious, but more subtle than your classic Grand Cru's. A light herbal, peppery, and fusel alcohol finish lingers just right.

“Light” is good word to describe this beer on all accounts. A light, soft bubbly carbonation is the perfect airy vessel for a wonderful balance of light sweetness, bitterness, and spiciness. The light alcohol warmth. This drinks like a 5% lager, versus its 10% disclaimer.

Well, this is no game changing Belgian Golden Ale, hit it is a good overall experience. This is a style I once held at the top of the craftsmanship of the trade. I still do, in some regards. At the very least, I owe this beer credit for inspiring me to revisit the classics of Belgian influence.

Cheers.

 

Poured from 500mL bottle into a tulip. Best-by date is September 2019.

Appearance: nice golden hue with a touch of haze and a moderate effervescence. Head is a thick finger of frothy ivory foam. It's pretty similar in appearance to the Mazama tripel.

Smell: a little bit sweet, with a rich and slightly fruity malt character. There's also a mild but nice hop presence; I quite like it.

Taste: very nicely malty, with a bit of sweetness and a chunk of alcohol at the back, though it is not overly hot. This beer is pretty smooth, given its 10% ABV. I think it's quite successful.

Mouthfeel: medium-rich body with plenty of carbonation and a very rich, creamy character. Outstanding!

Overall: this is a great example of the style, especially for an American-made Belgian golden strong. I had the Mazama tripel right before this, and this is definitely the more successful of the two beers. Really worth trying!

 

rated on rate Beer as quad. On tap at PreFunk. Hazy golden in color with small, silky head. Earthy, grassy aroma, more malty in the taste. Slick, but thick body, some alcohol warmth on the finish.

 

Solid taste not overwhelmed by the high alcohol content. Tried at the Vancouver beer festival and it was the best of the lot.

 

 

No head but I think it was just the way she poured it. Nice warming with very pleasant slightly fruity smell. I would order again.

 

 

 

RB

Nice goblet at PreFunk tonight. Lightly hazy golden, good enough white head.. More phenolic than estery... not very balanced... A bit too much sweetness magnifies the light fruity esters... Seems a bit thick IMO.... Surprising bitterness rises with warmth... I like the hops as it helps cut through the residual maltiness. Okay... I would buy it again.

3.5/3.5/3.25/3.25/3.25

 

Served on tap into a snifter glass.

A- Poured a hazy golden color with big bright fluffy white head that left chunky lace.

S- Big yeast, bubblegum, pear, clove, and banana notes in the aroma. Very balanced aroma.

T- Big chalky yeasty notes, bubblegum, citrus, clove, pear, and banana notes that finishes with moderate bitterness (although stronger bitterness than I would expect for the style).

M- Very dry, pretty big alcohol warming, prickly carbonation, medium body, and slightly sticky.

O- A very nice Belgian Strong Ale that reminds me of one of my first craft beer favorites, Duvel. The drinkability is high and it has many of the characteristics I look for in a Belgian Golden Ale.