Lips Of Faith - Grand Cru Abbey Ale - New Belgium Brewing

brystmar

New York

3.53/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Brought this from Texas until New Belgium decides to distribute to NY.

Pours like a Belgian, minimal lace and average head. Nose had strong banana esters, fruit & malty sweetness, and Belgian yeast; many similarities to a witbier. Doesn't fit the style, but I like it.

Malty sweetness dominates the flavor. Hints of fruit, but lacks the spicy herbs that are the hallmark of this style. Decent body and not bad overall, but misses the mark on the style IMO. Just too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 00:30:21 | More by brystmar

yamar68

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured vigorously to achieve a one finger beige head. Drinking in a terribly lit room but it appears quite clear with a ruby brown haze to it.

S - Clove, cherry, banana, nutmeg - a lot going on

T - Taste doesn't seem capture everything that I was expecting by the smell. I can say it is balanced quite well but all those unique base flavors seem to get lost in the mix.

M - Carbonation is fine. Mouthfeel is just a bit thin for the style if you ask me.

O - It's a fine beer that doesn't bring anything very exciting or different to the table.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 04:32:05 | More by yamar68

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.4/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Buckeyeboy supplied this bottle at a recent tasting.... Thanks Jeremy.

Pours clear amber brown... tannish head with decent lacing and retention.

Nose shows peppery mix of booze soaked prunes and raisins... maybe some clove.

Flavor is sweet toasted bread.... clove and overripe pears... caramel essence.. some banana with warmth.

Pretty big body with a medium carbonation.

Overall too sweet for my liking and pretty boozy.

3.5/3.5/3.5/3.5/3

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 04:21:36 | More by JohnGalt1

DesMoinesMike

Iowa

3.68/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I first sampled this at Des Moines Brewfest and found it quire compelling. However, that was after about 20 other samples and my taste buds were probably overwhelmed at that point. Now having this by itself I'm more aware of its nuances.

A brownish red brew with a lot more foam than carbonation. The aroma was light, I was able to pick out grapefruit and plumb. The taste is close to what I remember. It hits strong with plumb, grapefruit, and a hint of cherry. There's also a slight sour element I don't remember from my first tasting. The body is thick and it doesn't hide the alcohol. This one is good but I'd rather go for Chimay if picking this style.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 02:06:45 | More by DesMoinesMike

rmcnealy

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a dark, minimally translucent dark copper color that appeared to be totally filtered. Produced a tiny ivory white head that was reduced to a thin layer and evenutally leaving a slight ring. First aromas are of slight hop, malts, heavy yeast, dark berries, age. The tastes mirror those smells with a tartness to it. It is very *clean* for a Belgian and the 9.50% is masked well. When I mention clean, I really mean that the taste is fresh and smooth. I'd imagine most import Belgians I try are a bit older (naturally just from the trip here alone), more complex and less filtered. Just as enjoyable. The tastes retreat to just the slightest bitter bite. A nice brew, good example of a dark Belgium.

Enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 02:10:03 | More by rmcnealy

kbuzz

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a tulip glass. No bottling date to be found.

A: Pours a crystal clear burnt orange/rust color. Red tints on the table...more orange/brown when held up directly to the light. Gave a finger and a half of foamy off white head. Pretty beer.

S: A hint of tartness/funk...just enough to let you know that a Belgian yeast strain was used. Sweet apricot and caramel malts. A decent helping of breadiness as well.

T/M: Pretty much follows the nose. Some funk and breadiness from the yeast. Lots of caramel malt notes. I get a bit of citrus at the back of the palate. Don't know if there was any barrel aging on this, but I almost a sherry type wine taste throughout. Moderate carbonation...medium bodied. Warming effect sets in after just a few sips...but no astringency on the taste. I would almost call this an Imperial Saison if there was such a thing.

O: Not bad, not great. Ended up drinking like a boozy Saison. Since Saisons aren't all that complex as a low ABV style, it just doesn't make sense to boost the ABV on the style. I've had much better, much more complex Belgian Strongs. If it wasn't for the ABV, I would almost consider this a light drinking beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 01:58:58 | More by kbuzz

cosmicevan

New York

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

picked this up last time i was in chitown.

a - opened and filled my maudite snifter. poured a semi transparent ruby with a finger full of frothy head. not creamy, frothy. nice rich deep color with visible carbonation...but looks like an american take on a belgian classic, but a good one.

s - boozy candied dark fruit...very much on the sweet side.

t - the flavor picks up where the nose left off with a subtle candied plum flavor. the booze seems less upfront in the taste than in the nose. kind of dubbel-like. a tad on the sweet side for my tastes, but a really good take on the style.

m - a bit on the thin side, but not as thin as most american takes on the style.

o - overall a pretty solid american belgian strong dark ale. doesn't hold a candle to the classics, but enjoyable none-the-less and worth a try if you like the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 02:39:18 | More by cosmicevan

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Beautiful amber color with shades of brown and bronze. A thick, memory foam-like light-brown head that holds strong at first but fades quickly. Some decent lacing down the glass and of course the booze-induced, oily "legs."

S - Some serious sweet malt with a slight roasted character. Caramelized sugar, alcohol, and some Belgian, syrupy notes.

T - Sweet, roasted malt hits you first, followed shortly by alcohol, and finished with a dry, earthy taste. I'd actually venture to say that this beer is better straight from the fridge than at a warmer or close-to-room temperature. As it warms, the ABV becomes way too apparent. It masks a lot of the flavors.

M - Some tingle from the carbonation and some serious bite from the booze. Not to the effect that it's unenjoyable or grimace-inducing, but it's definitely there and makes its presence known.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 22:06:30 | More by Gatch

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bottle, with a well hidden "bottled on" date of 3/16/11. The beer was allowed to warm a little bit before being poured into my Brooklyn Brewery tulip.

New Belgium's Grand Cru Abbey Ale pours a good looking clear maroon color, with some nice amber highlights that shine through when given the occasion. The khaki foam that serves as a head comes up to between two and three fingers in height on the various pours. Head retention is just alright, and lacing is very inconsistent. There's a nice bit of plum in the nose, as well as a markedly peppery phenolic character. Those are joined by a slightly abrasive fusel alcohol aroma. There's just a hint of caramel to play off the dark fruits in the malty opening. The booziness from the nose is still present, but a little bit more subdued. It also serves to help highlight the prominent pepper notes in the close. The body is on the dry side, yet with a creamy edge to it, really nice for the style. The carbonation is just a touch too flat though, which keeps the beer from hanging with the best in terms of mouthfeel. Grand Cru Abbey Ale is a fairly well executed BSDA. That said, as someone who lives outside of New Belgium's distribution range, I wouldn't go out of my way to get my hands on some more of this over what's readily available here in NJ.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 07:38:23 | More by axeman9182

lonestar4lunch

Texas

4.4/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into my New Belgium goblet and man that sweet, Belgian sugar aroma is perfect. It is a dark brown but still can see thru it. The head settles quickly to just lacing. This is the aroma that made fall in love with Belgian ales. That sweet, buttery, toffee aroma with just a bit of banana and malts. Man, this one packs a punch. The alc is there but not too over powering. You get that sweet banana sugar taste with some Belgian malts and then a somewhat light finish. This is so good. Every sip is enjoyable at various temps. To me this is very drinkable but the alc does creep up on you. Really enjoy this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 02:47:37 | More by lonestar4lunch

nickfl

Florida

3.7/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours with two fingers of white foam on top a perfectly clear, amber brown body. The head fades slowly and leaves nice lace.

S - Lots of coriander with a little bit of clove. Some caramel and toffee malt character in the background.

T - Sweet, malty caramel up front with coriander and allspice flavors that come or in the middle. Finishes with lots of clove and nutty caramel malt as well as a hint of red apple yeast character.

M - Medium body, moderately high carbonation, and a slightly sweet finish.

D - Pretty standard for a spiced dark belgian. A little more spice character than I like but not bad.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 02:44:29 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

4.22/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: 3 finger frothy off white head. Nice lacing and not much retention. Amber with brown hues . Hazy

S: Belgian yeast eaters produce a fruity, mostly spicy banana aroma with caramel notes.

T: some dark fruit and fig up front. Fairly sweet but not overwhelmingly so. A little sourness to the finish.

M: smooth, light to medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: excellent drink ability. Not the best representative of its category but a very good beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 02:26:13 | More by kylehay2004

blakelive784

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 1 pint 6 fl oz bottle into a snifter:

A - Pours a rich, semi-transparent amber with a just off white head of 1.5 fingers. Surprising retention for the high abv.

S - Banana, floral notes and sweet caramel. Pungently malty.

T - Follows the nose closely, with more distinction though. Banana and tart fruit open, heavy malt foundation follows. Alcoholic on the finish, but nicely so. Very subtle hops character come throughout.

M - Prickly on the open, but finishes smoothly. Thick. Tailored to the flavors quite well.

D - drinks a lot easier than the abv would suggest. Sweet, but not cloyingly so. I'd definitely suggest this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 02:56:11 | More by blakelive784

DCon

Missouri

4.13/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bought a 64OZ Growler of this from The Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar in St. Louis, MO for $24. Tapped from the red/white surfboard tap handle w/ "Abbey Grand Cru" into my 64OZ Cicero's Growler and then distributed out to 4 16oz Pint Glass w/ my bros on Washington Ave (meaning I only got to enjoy 1 glass of this...).

Aroma- Has a very strong banana aroma with caramel and nut hanging in the background. Sweet and malty with a ton of strength also. May have a medium amount of alcohol present too.

Appearance- Pours a 1.5 finger head that stays. Has a reddish brown tint on amber color body that is dark. Leaves thick lacing.

Flavor- Caramel and strong sweetness. Awesome banana character with quite a bit of spice behind it all. Medium bitterness finishes it off.

Mouthfeel- Medium-Full Bodied, Medium Carbonation, Sweet, and goes down quite smooth.

Overall Impression- I'm VERY glad I was able to catch this one before it was never on-tap again! Always a shame that the Lips of Faith series is only a once released series of brews (except for finding stray bottles around all the time). I'm going to be getting more Growlers of this stuff so that I can enjoy more of it at a later date with friends. I suggest you do the same! Cheers!

Serving type: growler

11-10-2011 18:42:53 | More by DCon

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.13/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle split and poured into a New Belgium globe.
9.5% ABV, Bottled 3-16-2011

A - Clear ruby amber in color with a dense bone head, the great retention leaves collar after collar of lace on the glass as it drops.

S - Fruity Belgian esters flood the aroma with hints of cherry, fig, and raisin. Banana pulls through pretty significantly while the amber malt provides a smooth, rich backbone.

T - Amber malt galore loaded with banana esters and earthy clay Belgian yeast notes'll get ya' there. Slight floral hop traces come through the background with a mellow alcohol heat to the finish.

M - Medium-high carbonation and a medium body balance well with a crisp finish. A light dryness graces the tongue as it drains down the hatch.

O - A great Belgian-style brew overall, there's quite a bit going on here but, it never becomes too much; too cloying. Nuanced and quite tasty.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 21:49:27 | More by BeerFMAndy

Whadawookie

Nebraska

4.47/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I haven't been drinking abbey ales for a while, but it's cold and gloomy out today so I thought what the hell. I poured into a goblet and couldn't seem to produce much head. Fine lacing sticks to the glass a little while you drink. It's sitting in the goblet with a nice deep red hue. This beer has a lot of flavors going on in it. Very nice. I'll have to compare it to others of this style, it has been so long I'm not sure how this beer stacks up to the the best of this style, however, I'm extremely pleased to be drinking this at the moment. What a complex, balanced beer! Yum. Sit's on the mouth very lovely. I'm eating some alfredo sauce pizza with chicken/artichoke/tomato/feta/basil on it and it is pairing fantastically!

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 23:01:57 | More by Whadawookie

katan

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz into a pint

A - Solidly brown, but mostly opaque. Lots of bubbling, resulting in a large mocha colored head formation.

S - Light amount of pilsner malts, lots of yeast and just a bit of citrus sour like off notes. More spiciness comes through as it warms.

T - Starts off lightly malty and a huge bubble gum like flavor. Mid-stream gets some nice spiciness, white pepper, and a bunch of raisins and currants. Fruitiness grows big time. Finishes iwth a little alcohol warmth and a citrus like finish.

M - Solid mouthfeel, moderate carbonation, somewhat heavy and sugary. Lightly cloying finish.

D/O - Well hidden but strong abv. Nice winter warming to it, both in a dark sugar malt base and some hot alcohol. A bit heavy but certainly enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 21:16:44 | More by katan

drabmuh

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Beer served from a bomber into a New Belgium globe glass because I can. This beer is not currently on the Belgian Strong Dark Ale best of list but is still quite a decent ale.

Beer is brown and hazy with a decent head with some retention, nice lacing on the glass, moderate carbonation, off white head.

Aroma is sweet, yeasty, and caramel.

Beer is medium in body but has a slightly dry finish. There is a mild grain bitterness at the end but the lead off here is some nice caramel with a strong body of yeast esters on the midpalate. Overall a very nice little beer, I'd have it again but probably not a whole bomber alone again.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 12:32:06 | More by drabmuh

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

New Belgium Abbey Grand Cru, a brew they make after every 1000 batches of the Abbey Dubbel ale. The same recipe, brought up in ingredients and fermentation time, with added Belgian yeast fermentation. Brought up to 9.5 % ABV. Custom made for a dubbel lover like myself. Let's get to it.

Dark, plummy brown body, beneath a thick, lush, creamy head, off-white/eggshell-colored, last long and leaves lacing.

Aroma: rich and sweet in the nose, plump with spice, sugar, dark fruit and cocoa. Cinnamon, clove, brown sugar, figs, and raisons. Ginger bread cookie in a glass. Soft and lovely.

Taste: Sweet and sharp at once, with the toasty dark malt taking center stage. Low hops, high booze. Alcohol shows itself early, but stays in the sidelines until late. Toffee and caramel. Starts sweet, but ends dry and smooth.
Halfway in, the booze is creeping, and flavor remains tasty, sophisticated, clean and classy. Beautiful stuff, really. Nicely balanced, exquisitely crafted, nothing too out-of-bounds, nothing out-of-step, just right and just delicious.
I'm glad to drink this on tap, but I'll be looking for some bottles to cellar before they're gone.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2011 06:09:12 | More by feloniousmonk

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #53 (June 2011):

This is a hefty-looking brew—impressive lacing tops the dark amber, almost burgundy-colored ale. Hermit cookies, raisins, cotton candy, faint Band-Aid and green plantains. Creamy smoothness, a body almost like a fine sherry. Mildly boozy, alcohol stays mellow but very warming. Broth, bread and fruit, all of which are savory. Mild hopping, though the phenols help to balance. Plums? Ripe cherries? Sweetness is not overbearing; lots of layers peeling back here. Malty and spicy finish with more of that alcoholic warmth. Such a striking beer, but well matured—a choice pick, for sure.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 21:29:01 | More by BeerAdvocate

daledeee

Iowa

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I've had overall good luck with the Lips of Faith series.

Pours a dark brown with nice lacing and only a thin head after time.

Nose is slightly earthy, molasses.

Taste is caramel, hops, earth. It comes across a little watery but seems to have good bite.

This is an average strong Belgian. Not enough body or complexity to rate the A's.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2011 23:29:05 | More by daledeee

charlzm

California

4.13/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Consumed September 2nd, 2011. Poured into a Bruery tulip.

Light caramel color with a beige head about three fingers high from moderate pour. The head is extremely fine and dense, made form countless numbers of tiny, tiny bubbles.

Aroma is weird. Pears. Massive pear. A little golden apple and some soft, powdery yeast and maybe a hint of molasses, but overwhelmingly pears. Not unpleasing, but unexpected.

Flavor is like fresh dark wheat bread. There is also some mild peppery spice. The beer is sweet with a thankfully restrained pear flavor. Noticeable bitterness on finish.

Dry (just shy of parching) on the finish.

Very credible effort.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 15:36:20 | More by charlzm

quirkzoo

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice dark amber with medium-thick head that recedes to heavy lacing that lingers.

Smell is very belgian with lots of fruity esters and medium range fruits orange, peach, with a touch of banana and malty/caramel base. Taste is more of the same with a little hit of spicy pepper yeast and negligible hop bitterness. Very malt forward sweet fruit beer. Mouthfeel is medium with good carbonation (not syrupy, not bubbly).

Overall this is a very good beer. It is not going to give you anything especially unique but it stays true to style and delivers an enjoyable drinking experience.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 03:01:12 | More by quirkzoo

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance. Pours a deep brown amber with a little haze and a small, light tan head that leaves some decent bands of lace.

Smell. Sweet roasty grains and caramel, belgian yeast, some fruits ...oranges, plums, strawberry

Taste. Sweet malt ...but not too heavy. Fruity belgian yeast, just a hint of brown sugar and spice.

Mouthfeel. Medium body with medium-low carbonation.

Overall. Nice beer. Alcohol is very well hidden. Not my fav style but a good beer nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 22:40:29 | More by Rutager

abrand

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Bomber poured into snifter.

This pours deep copper almost brown color with not much of a head. No lacing on the glass. Smells of nuts, malts, and alcohol. Smell is not doing much for me. Taste is mediocre. Lots of malts and a syrupy texture. Some raisins and figs are also present. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and pretty well carbonated. Overall this just isn't doing that much for me. Some many amazing belgian darks out there that it needs to stand out to be remembered.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 03:58:58 | More by abrand