Before I start, I understand that Green Flash brews in the typical west coast fashion: with plenty of hops. But when I think of grand crus I think of Rodenbach, Duchesse de Bourgogne, etc. Is it just me or has Green Flash hopped up the Grand Cru a little too much? Its delicious, don't get me wrong, but it tastes more like an IPA. Of course, pollen season has started here so I might not be getting all of the flavors. What say ye?
Per Wikipedia: "This term has been used for beers, especially in Belgium, to indicate a more elaborate version of a brand.[4] InBev produces a more complex version of Hoegaarden called Hoegaarden Grand Cru,[4] while the Rodenbach Brewery produces a Rodenbach Grand Cru.[5] Lindemans Brewery make a gueuze and a kriek beer under the name Cuvée René Grand Cru.[6] Many breweries in the United States have also begun producing beers labeled "Grand Cru" to denote a limited production of a special or higher quality beer. A few examples are Avery Brewing Company's The Beast Grand Cru Ale,[7] AleSmith Brewing Company's Grand Cru,[8] and Allagash Brewing Company's Allagash Grand Cru.[9]" So, as others have already beat me to the punch on, Grand Cru is not a set style, but rather a "special" or "highest quality" release. Duchesse and Rodenbach, as you can see on their pages, are Flanders Red Ales. If you take a trip to the "Beer Styles" page here on BA, you'll notice "Grand Cru" does not exist as a style.
Grand cru is not a Flanders red style It means the breweries best beer, or something of the sort It's not a style Enjoy
Reiterating what has been said, Grand Cru has no correlation to style. It's also used in wine and spirits.
Yeah, I don't think "Grand Cru" refers t o a style, but rather "the best" that a brewery had to offer
Give it a year and the hops fade out and the Belgian charachter asserts itself nicely. The beer is meant to be drinkable young,but also age well. Just had an '09 couple weeks ago and had a great molasses,toffee,brown sugar flavor to it. Hope you enjoy.
The term Grand Cru for beer is strictly marketing for the most part. I guess the same can be said for wine but there is a little more history explaining the term. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cru_(wine)
