Grand Cru - Great Divide Brewing Company

CHADMC3

Connecticut

3.58/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a murky walnut brown with only a touch of tan head that quickly dissolves to leave almost no proof of its existence.

The aroma consists primarily of dark fruits and malts with a touch of yeast.

The features of this beer are much more pronounced on the palate. Generous dark fruits including raisins and perhaps plum, some random spices, and again hints of yeast.

Medium to light in body with very little carbonation and a sweet aftertaste.

Not a bad example of the style, but could use a bit more depth.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2011 03:05:50 | More by CHADMC3

MinorThreat

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

05-16-2013 02:25:09 | More by MinorThreat

George2744

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -5.4%

05-12-2013 02:32:45 | More by George2744

sparx1100

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +14.9%

04-21-2013 01:12:49 | More by sparx1100

grahamboudreaux

Tennessee

4.75/5  rDev +28.4%

03-23-2013 07:45:27 | More by grahamboudreaux

Haybeerman

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

02-07-2013 22:18:16 | More by Haybeerman

BlissJunkie

Michigan

4/5  rDev +8.1%

01-14-2013 19:37:43 | More by BlissJunkie

safaricook

Netherlands

3.55/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

0.65 bottle bought at the Bierkoning in Amsterdam. Best before is March 2011 that is almost 2 years ago but should be alright for a beer with an ABV of 11. Served in my Croy Tulip.

Pours a beige two finger head that reduces over time to a rim. A clear ruby body and some carbonation.

very malty, sweet, candy, cherry smell

quite sweet, coffee bitterness, acidity of dark fruits

full body, little carbonation

This an OK take on a Belgian Strong Dark Ale or a Christmas special beer. It is very sweet and malty and makes a good winter beer. The 11 ABV are well hidden behind the sweetness. However, I don't like it too much as it is too sweet in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 20:31:06 | More by safaricook

FrankJCurtin

4/5  rDev +8.1%

01-01-2013 20:09:47 | More by FrankJCurtin

Thirstygoat

Illinois

4/5  rDev +8.1%

12-30-2012 03:16:26 | More by Thirstygoat

HomerS

Sweden

3/5  rDev -18.9%

12-22-2012 17:58:53 | More by HomerS

mychalg9

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +14.9%

12-13-2012 02:49:11 | More by mychalg9

shick1

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +28.4%

11-21-2012 18:46:12 | More by shick1

cvm4

Mississippi

3.85/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a deep amber or almost copper in color. Two finger head is off white and has good lacing.

S - Dark fruits that seems tart along with brown sugar and caramel malts.

T - Candied malts interact with dark fruits that bring on the tartness. Sweet & tart.

M - Light mouth & medium carbonation.

O - I like it because of the tartness aspect of this beer. It keeps the malts in check and melds well with the candied sugar.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 18:53:33 | More by cvm4

andthevolcano

Delaware

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

11-07-2012 03:14:18 | More by andthevolcano

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

10-21-2012 17:20:48 | More by RblWthACoz

OMG

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

10-15-2012 20:10:22 | More by OMG

jivex5k

Florida

4/5  rDev +8.1%

09-11-2012 14:01:56 | More by jivex5k

Barbie

Maryland

2/5  rDev -45.9%

09-02-2012 19:15:52 | More by Barbie

superspak

Michigan

4.23/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled 1/12/2011. Pours very hazy dark red color with a nice 2 finger fairly dense khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a good cap that lingers. Good soapy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big raisin, prune, caramel, toffee, biscuit, molasses, toast, nuttiness, tobacco, earth, clove, and yeast spiciness. Very nice aromas with very good balance and complexity. Taste of raisin, prune, molasses, caramel, toffee, toast, biscuit, nuttiness, clove, tobacco, earth, and light yeast spiciness. Lingering notes of dark fruits, molasses, caramel, toffee, toast, biscuit, nuttiness, and light yeast spices on the finish for a good bit. Great flavor balance and complexity; pretty much zero cloying sweetness. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a fairly creamy and slick mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is extremely well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a highly excellent Belgian strong dark ale! A ton of nice balance and complexity; very smooth to sip on. Highly enjoyed this one, very impressive.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 05:28:19 | More by superspak

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

bomber into flying dog tulip. bottled on jan. 12 2011.

A: very clear. very dark copper. pretty looking color. head is slightly off white and foamy. good retention and some lacing.

S: a little vinous. tobacco. lots of tobacco. little bit of cedar. brown sugar. the fruit is pretty strong as well. plum background.

T: starts sweet. not too sweet, but jumps at the tip of the tongue. theres a mild touch of alcohol heat, but really just a touch. reminds me of a glass of port. the finish is a blend of cocoa and ash w/ a sweet lingering brown sugar.

M: a mild amount of fizz works well on this big body.

D: a pretty solid belgian strong dark. i was able to buy this about a year old and it seemed to hold up pretty well in the store. held up fine in my fridge as well. not sure if its not as great super fresh, but this has aged pretty well.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 01:13:11 | More by Jimmys

ngeunit1

California

4.23/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a cloudy brown color with a finger of frothy khaki colored head. THe head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of sweet dark caramel malts, raisin, prune, and other dark fruits, some Belgian yeast and spices, candi sugars, and some booze.

T - Starts off with a mix of sweet dark caramel malts with raisin, prune, date, and other dark fruit sweetness. Through the middle, the sweet candi sugars start to come through with some Belgian yeast flavors including some spices and esters. The finish is a mix of sweet dark fruits with some dark caramelized and candi sugars, some spice, and some booze.

M - Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a sweet and warming finish.

D - Very drinkable. Really nice BSDA. Good malt flavors with the sweet sugars and yeast character balancing nicely with the body.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 05:46:05 | More by ngeunit1

Jason_Quad

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

07-05-2012 22:37:35 | More by Jason_Quad

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

4.2/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber poured into a snifter
Dated 01-12-11 so its almost 18 months old

A- A murky dark brown with orange accents. A one finger off white head with little retention. Nice alcohol legs that leave a film on the side of the glass.

S- Caramel is dominant here. I also get a good deal of dark fruits like figs and raisins. Very sugary. Theres a trace of the belgian yest strain as well as a peppery spiciness.

T- The first thing I get is a smooth caramel flavor. There is also a caramelized bunch of dark fruits like figs and plums. The belgian yest takes somewhat of a back seat here, this beer reminds me of a doppelbock. There is a faint spiciness here with some lemon zest. Very little alcohol taste

M- This beer is super thick and chewy and incredibly smooth. Warming of course at this high ABV. Gooey and syrupy, Awesome stuff.

O- This is a great brew. Honestly surprised at its BA rating being so low. However, mine is 18 months old and I see how it is a beer to be aged. Buy this beer, especially if its an old one.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 01:40:30 | More by TwelveOunces

draheim

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz (bottled 1/12/2011) into a chalice. Pours a crystal-clear mahogany w/ a 2-finger khaki head that leaves sticky lacing. Vigorous carb w/ bubbles ranging from tiny to large. Looks like a classic quad/BSDA.

Aroma is dark fruit, bready malt, spice. A little muted though, even as it warms.

Taste is dark fruit, candi sugar, bready malt. 11% ABV well hidden. Finishes dry and clean.

Mouthfeel is smooth, dry, perfectly carbonated.

Overall a really solid BSDA. Tasty, drinkable, and gone before I know it. I'm very impressed w/ this one. Great Divide continues to surprise me.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 05:05:38 | More by draheim