Grand Cru - North Coast Brewing Co.

Bendurgin

Maine

3.08/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a tulilp. This one pours a slightly hazy golden color with a creamy finger of white head that settles down quickly.

Apples in the aroma with bits of caramel with some vanilla and a rich cheese like aroma in the background. Interesting to say the least. Kind of a granny smith apple flavor with caramel and hints of bourbon and some vanilla on the pallet. The tartness doesn't seem to work with the more prominant sweet flavors.

Medium sticky body with good carbonation. Not bad here, but I'll pass in the future and stick with some of the less expensive alternatives.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 02:13:19 | More by Bendurgin

jgammoniv

Maine

4.5/5  rDev +25%

06-18-2013 12:39:21 | More by jgammoniv

Jayeblue24

Idaho

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

06-16-2013 16:24:45 | More by Jayeblue24

JeffreyJDavis

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +18.1%

06-11-2013 00:18:50 | More by JeffreyJDavis

LazFTW

Connecticut

4.29/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Excellent and complex Belgian style ale. Its hard to believe that this is almost 13% ABV as most beers nearing 9%. you can clearly taste the flavor. I would highly recommend this to any fans of Belgian beers. It seems the U.S. can give some Belgian brewers a run for their money.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 18:40:21 | More by LazFTW

DenverBigRed

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%

05-31-2013 22:55:00 | More by DenverBigRed

rydev24

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +11.1%

05-12-2013 22:36:06 | More by rydev24

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

$15.95 at a bottle shop. Poured into a snifter. Beautiful soft glow of honey amber. Practically no head, but I can't say that I was springing for much with that big 12.9% ABV rocking here.

Smells of Belgian yeast esters and bourbon. Sweet agave note offers that tequila vibe and some of the citrusy and stone fruit elements from the yeast combines not terribly unlike a margarita. Whiffs of honey, apricot, and golden raisin also contribute.

Kind of sweet, but there's a tasty whiskey note that carries some of the barrel without being too woody. Belgian pale malts and ruffling yeast offer more stone fruits. Hints of citrus conjure up flavors of orange and grape and apricot and golden raisin. More of that honey from the nose. Has a strange imbalance, the way mixing bourbon and tequila into a fruity cocktail would clash. Very interesting how it still retains a lot of Belgian flair. Booziness is kind of big, but not 12.9% big, in my opinion. My girlfriend disagrees, but I think this drinks on the easy side. Carbonation is tuned way down, but that doesn't hurt the feel too much. It's a beastly Belgian Strong Pale, not too much can be done about that. The body has a great full-on mouth-coat. A little tacky and quite condensed. I feel pretty good about sipping on this, even though I might be taking it down a little too fast for my own good.

Very unique BSPA. Maybe the first bourbon barrel-aged version that I've had. Would totally have this again and would be intrigued to try this one aged. Buy one at a good price and give me your take on it.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 03:32:03 | More by thecheapies

cheefdaddy1

Mississippi

4.5/5  rDev +25%

05-11-2013 18:46:46 | More by cheefdaddy1

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

05-07-2013 22:25:01 | More by onix1agr

halo913

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +11.1%

04-29-2013 15:01:32 | More by halo913

stpaulsipper07

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +31.9%

04-20-2013 23:40:34 | More by stpaulsipper07

drgonzo2k2

California

4/5  rDev +11.1%

04-20-2013 14:06:49 | More by drgonzo2k2

Stoutlad

Indiana

4/5  rDev +11.1%

04-16-2013 00:48:58 | More by Stoutlad

IPAchris

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +11.1%

04-14-2013 00:55:22 | More by IPAchris

Danobold

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

04-11-2013 02:56:52 | More by Danobold

valkyre65

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

04-03-2013 00:38:53 | More by valkyre65

HoppyKilaMonster

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +25%

03-26-2013 17:09:44 | More by HoppyKilaMonster

gunpwdr

Virginia

4/5  rDev +11.1%

03-25-2013 22:28:46 | More by gunpwdr

Sparky44

Illinois

4/5  rDev +11.1%

03-24-2013 02:31:45 | More by Sparky44

michaeljstraub

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%

03-21-2013 02:08:31 | More by michaeljstraub

atone315

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +25%

03-13-2013 01:15:45 | More by atone315

NorthSideSean

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -9.7%

03-08-2013 05:34:33 | More by NorthSideSean

match1112

Illinois

3/5  rDev -16.7%

03-08-2013 01:09:13 | More by match1112

MarkyMOD

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%

03-02-2013 02:33:12 | More by MarkyMOD