Black Diamond Brandy Barrel Grand Cru
Black Diamond Brewing Co.

Black Diamond Brandy Barrel Grand CruBlack Diamond Brandy Barrel Grand Cru
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From:
Black Diamond Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
8%
Score:
82
Avg:
3.57 | pDev: 15.97%
Reviews:
21
Ratings:
53
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Mar 27, 2019
Added:
Aug 05, 2011
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  7
Our Belgian-style dark ale has been taken to the next level by careful blending and aging techniques.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.25/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
ABV on this is listed at 8.8% when it appeared at the Bistro's West Coast Barrel Aged Beer Festival, November 12, 2011.

Pours a brown color that might have just the slightest amount of dark purple to it. Small head, creamy tan colored, 1/5". The aroma is that belgian strong dark ale bitter fruit, red grape, raisin feel without being heavy yeast wise beyond that. The brandy I suspect is part of the grape note.

Taste, right away I don't know, I guess I expected the sour cherry to show up, perhaps it just balanced or mellowed things out on the dark fruit bitter tip. They get it to hide the alcohol pretty well, and there are some Pannepot like notes, but the brandy effect was underwhelming, but then again that could be why it didn't bother me as much as it could have. Brandy tends to be hot. Or very persceptible depending on how you look at it.

Unless BDSA is your jam, I'd say go ahead and skip. But at this point if you see it, its prolly your last time, so why not?
Mar 27, 2019
 
Rated: 3.51 by robear from Wisconsin

Apr 04, 2016
Photo of DoubleSimcoe
Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

3.04/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
2011 bottle bought at State Line in Elkton, Maryland, marked down at $7.99. "75% ale brewed with fruit with vanilla beans added-25% ale aged in brandy barrels".

Sounds amazing but it is not. There is barely any barrel presence here. Unpleasant oxidation all around- I guess four years in the bottle didn't do it too good. Artificial raisin flavor, sweetness galore. If a homebrewer attempted to make his first quad and got this, I'd give it a pass. But for a commercial brewery... no thanks. I used most of the bottle for cooking.
Dec 20, 2015
Photo of ben_giff
Reviewed by ben_giff

4.64/5  rDev +30%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
This is one of my absolute favorites. Very sippable. The flavor is mellow and somewhat sweet. Notes of dark chocolate and coffee. Pours beautifully as well.
Apr 26, 2015
 
Rated: 3.96 by tommy5 from Michigan

Jan 10, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Edgarallenpoor from Maryland

Dec 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by DrBier from Pennsylvania

Jul 14, 2014
Photo of Cylinsier
Reviewed by Cylinsier from Pennsylvania

3.17/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
22 oz.

Pours a clear dark brown, light yellowish white head about a quarter inch thick, dissipates slowly.

Smells strongly of vanilla with some caramel, dark fruit sweetness, and bready malts.

Tastes of vanilla, figs, bready malt, and a hint of chocolate.

Full body with tingly carbonation on the roof of the mouth.

This is cloyingly sweet and rich with very little if any hint of the brandy barrel it was aged in. It's not terrible, but it's got some off-putting characteristics that make it hard to enjoy. There are some good things in there too, but they are unfortunately outweighed. Might be worth a pickup if you get it for a good price and want to split it with someone, but it's a bit of a chore to drink.
Jul 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by bigeyedfish89 from Maryland

Jun 17, 2014
Photo of jrein0254
Reviewed by jrein0254 from Maryland

3.82/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Very interested in trying this as I always love bourbon barrel-aged beers. I thought the aroma would be more intense, like brandy. It smells more of flowers and vanilla. I'm actually having a hard time getting any brandy in the aroma or the taste. The vanilla flavor is almost too much. I'm almost imagining a brandy alexander. Like it, but I think I would love it with less vanilla and more brandyness.
Jun 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Sammy from Canada (ON)

Jun 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by bubseymour from Maryland

Apr 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Wolberjs from California

Mar 16, 2014
Photo of JamieDuncan
Reviewed by JamieDuncan from Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +24.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Picked this up because local store was doing a special. Marked down to $5 for a 22. Low expectations due to store seemingly clearing it out. Great looking beer, dark, rich with a good head and the smell jumps up and grabs you. Excellent and very strong, just sat and sniffed for a few. Taste is also excellent and it is very easy to drink with 9% ABV. Bonus points overall for alcohol content and value, although if at regular cost it would lose those points. Will swing back by and see if it is still on sale and will also get the Bourbon variety if available.
Mar 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by DaveRinn from Washington

Jan 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by TruePerception from California

Sep 20, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by GraduatedCashew from California

Aug 29, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by imperialking from Illinois

Jun 14, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by AngusOg from North Carolina

May 24, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by bconsidine from Maryland

May 10, 2013
Black Diamond Brandy Barrel Grand Cru from Black Diamond Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 53 ratings