Atomium Grand Cru - Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.

FlatRabbitRed

Arizona

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

If you like Belgian beers this one holds up pretty good, had three different ones tonight, and this one fits the bill.

Belgian beers have this fruity Honey twang to them followed by a slight bittering after taste. They are definitely in a class by themselves! I drank this one "Grand Cru" right after a Duval "Golden Ale" ...and you know what, they were pretty much the same thing ...to me anyway. I noticed a difference in the triple and that was that it had three times the flavor!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 14:24:16 | More by FlatRabbitRed

TheBigLebrewski

Michigan

3.38/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is oddly dark - very much the color of honey. Large bubbled head that's pretty thick, and maintains at a 1/4 inch. Decent lacing.

I do not enjoy the smell. Certainly the scent of malt; also of corn.

Surprisingly considering the scent, i did enjoy the taste. A very gentle sourness, but appreciable none-the-less. Pretty par though flavor overall.

Mouthfeel is definitely the beer's strong point. Crisp and tart additions to the flavor.

Overall, this was better than I expected, but nothing too special. Certainly an odd mix of some detrimental attributes, alongside some surprisingly good ones.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 08:02:10 | More by TheBigLebrewski

Biffster

Michigan

3.18/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a stubby, the beer is cloudy (even after a few weeks in a fridge upright) and deep straw gold, with amber highlights. The head is big and coarse and just off white, and very persistent. Swirl it, and you will get a big head over and over.

The aroma is fresh and fruity, with big banana, and apple and strawberry in support. There is vanilla, and fresh white bread with just a touch of toast. The hop aroma is barely perceptible. It is sweet with a honey like floral impression.

It starts with a low maltiness that passes to a low to moderate bitterness. It is very spicy and warming, maybe even hot, at the swallow. It is very dry all the way through, but there is a low to moderate malty sweetness that lingers with the spicy dryness. The swallow is, as I said, warm and fairly dry, but there is a lingering bitterness and maltiness that gives it a fuller, more moderate impression.

The carbonation is big - both fluffy and spritzy. Along with the moderate body, the result is a fluffy round mouthfeel that is relatively full for a strong belgian, but by no means coating or lingering. It is, however, somewhat hot and even solventy at the swallow.

I feel like this is a perfect recipe - I love the clean malt and bittering. But the fermentation is questionable. I will give it the benefit of the doubt and question its trip from Belgium to my door as the culprit, but I note a distinct lack of Belgian phenolic aromas, and a distinct harshness at the swallow. This is total speculation, but, with that, combined with the cloudiness despite cold conditioning, I feel like it seems familiar. I have had an experience or two like this as a brewer. This seems like a beer that aged too long before bottling, and then was bottle conditioned at a too warm temperature to compensate for tired yeast. (Sorry for the shameless speculation).

I would give it another try, but this sample was not that exciting.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 00:44:29 | More by Biffster

tectactoe

Michigan

3.8/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a light golden color with a bit of haziness, but overall nice clarity. The beer is incredibly volatile, it overflowed and went everywhere upon opening the bottle and created a gigantic head, even with a relatively modest pour. The initial smells are most fruity, mainly apple, banana, and some white grape. The taste follows through with the same fruit, banana being the most prominent, with slight grape and apple skins in the background. Lots of wheat and grain flavors come through as the beer warms up. Spices are there, as well, namely clove, although it's more laid back than it is in traditional Belgian beers. The alcohol is slightly warming but not invasive. Carbonation is huge, as it is with most of these styles. Medium body with a crisp overall feeling on the mouth.

Pretty good brew, it's hard to go wrong with a Grand Cru straight from Belgium. Nice addition of apple and grape to the traditional "banana & clove". Very drinkable at 8% ABV, also.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 11:52:30 | More by tectactoe

match1112

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pours a hazy amber with a thin white bubbly head. aromas of grass, banannas, clove, corriander. taste is pretty sweet. alochol is present. has a medium body feel to it, makes it easy to drink. carbonation is good and a crisp dry finish make this beer very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 17:19:48 | More by match1112

martyl1000

Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I like this better than its much more famous compatriot Delirium Tremens (the fact that Atomium comes at half the price might play a part in that).

Bright and bubbly, even a careful pour producing a billowy, rocky, white head.

Big, complex. Digging the Belgian yeast w/ its delicate tropical fruit. Malt character dominates, though a hoppy thread is strung throughout (except maybe in the aroma).

The malt sweetness and yeasty funk might have been overwrought, were it not for the zippy carbonation and white-pepper on the tongue.

This is 8% alcohol? You'd never know.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 05:57:53 | More by martyl1000

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Teresa's, Wayne, PA

Served in a tulip glass, a golden-amber color, slightly hazy, with a small bubbly white head. Aroma was dominated by honey sweetness and candi sugar, with notes of Belgian yeast and fruitcake. Honey sugar sweetness on the tongue right away, mellowing out to let in flavors of toasted bread, Belgian yeast, citrus zest, light spice, floral hops. Crisp and satisfying, light-medium body, appropriate alcohol content, tasty and easily drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2012 12:11:40 | More by Rifugium

flannelman808

California

3.88/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: hazy orange yellow pale amber with a thin white foam decent lacing.

S: green banana, corn husk, wet earthy suggestions

T: Almost a soft almond sweetness blending into sweet tree fruit and melon. All of this backed with a subtle tall grassy herbal bitter snap along with drying carbonation.

M: prickly

O: Just a bit of butterscotch makes this one a good, but underwhelming brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 09:43:09 | More by flannelman808

jsisko01

Michigan

3.15/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance - Pours a dark honey/amber color with 4 inches of fluffy foam.. I had to keep stopping and waiting to get the whole beer in the glass. Takes at least a good 5 minutes to dissipate. Lacing is great though.

Smell - Coriander is the most dominant aroma here.. followed by some clove, honey, pale malts, and yeast.

Taste - Strong flavor of honey, along with coriander, clove, white peppercorns, yeast, and a mild alcohol bite at the end. Way too sweet of a beer, with just minimum bitterness in the finish.

Mouthfeel - Heavy body with medium carbonation.

Overall - If you don't mind how sweet it is then you have yourself a pretty good beer. It's almost like drinking honey. Tastes very similar to Beerhive Tripel by New Holland Brewing Company.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 05:53:55 | More by jsisko01

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.95/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

clear, amber coloration, with fierce carbonation, under a soled, lacy, snow-white head.

Aroma: citrus and spice meets barnyard funk. ripe orange and lemon, coriander and clove, with a whiff of that special something only Belgian yeast brings.

Taste: full, rich, and sweet. soft, lush, and lovely. Beautiful mix of Belgian yeast, bright hops, and sweet, tasty malt. Mmm.

Crisp? Satisfying? Yeah…dang, I have to forget to read those things. Smooth. Mmm. Yes, And, yum, let's not forget that. Just downright enjoyable. 8% by Vol? Yeah, I can deal with that.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 06:51:06 | More by feloniousmonk

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a chalice at Hopleaf.

Appearance: My pour is a hazy copper color with a few flashes of amber. A medium sea foam rocky head rests on top, fading over the course of a few minutes while still leaving a bit of lace behind.

Smell: The aroma is dominated by the aromatic Belgian yeast, sweet bready malts, and some cherry and grape fruitiness.

Taste: The flavor starts out with sweet bready pale malt with a hint of honey. Pears, cherries, and white grapes provide a fairly strong fruit presence that blend with an aggressively spicy Belgian yeast strain. The end has a bit of ethyl alcohol and some light grassy hops. The finish has a lingering sweetness to it.

Mouthfeel: Unfortunately, the feel is a bit syrupy. The carbonation feels like it should be up to the task of washing away any sticky residue, but it doesn't quite do that. This also creates a bit of a heavy sensation, pushing the body to the full side of medium.

Overall: This is a beer I have had a few times, and it just never really impressed me. With all of the great Belgian beers out there, it is tough to justify giving this one another look.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2011 23:48:26 | More by KickInTheChalice

AgentZero

Illinois

3.43/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Pours a pale golden color with a couple fingers of soapy head.

S - Stone fruits and some phenolic belgian yeast on top of pale malts. Not bad for the style.

T - Taste is what you would expect from the nose, with phenolic yeast and sweet pale malts/stone fruits being most of what you can pick out.

M - Medium bodied, a little syrupy, lower carbonation, dry finish.

O - It's alright, but nothing special. Little too yeasty for me, would pass on this in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2011 22:22:57 | More by AgentZero

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured out as a golden yellow color, the head was fizzy and white. The lacing was minimal. The smell of the beer was spicy, there was some sweet aromas and a bit of yeast on the nose too. The taste of the beer has a really nice blend of honey and spice working together. The mouthfeel has a little bite from the carbonation but is still pretty smooth feeling. Overall this beer was pretty nice in general. I found the flavors to be good and the drinkability was very nice also. Worth trying for sure.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 18:13:47 | More by Knapp85

ronniebruner

Arizona

4.68/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

WOW! I was completely surprised with this beer. I bought it only because I had never seen it. This beer has an amazing aroma! It poured a beautiful golden yellow with a perfect amount of white head. It is enfused with honey and seet spices, something I was definitely not expecting, and leaves a wonderful taste on the tongue after it is swallowed. Definitely a unique brew and well worth the time! At $2.49 for an 11.2 oz bottle, get one!

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 03:37:34 | More by ronniebruner

azdback

Arizona

2.17/5  rDev -43.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured into a pint glass. Hyper carbonation, it took quite a few minutes to mellow enough to even have a chance to drink. Clear yellow, orange. Head is over sized and bright white in color. As the freaked out head laid down it actually left a decent lace.

Smell is musty and sour. Not my style!! But I was given this as a sample by Bill at my local bottle shop so I must forge forward!!

Taste is really sour. Belgian yeast is super prevalent. I could concede to the beer Savant's that tell me this style is good. But I would be lying. I can't stand or don't ever see me saying this is a good style of beer. Josssmith, my tasting partner describes the taste as a sweaty gym sock stuffed down his throat! I tend to agree!

Mouth is uhmmmm... I am done with this beer and don't want to spend any more of my energy describing it to you.

Overall, this brew might be great to the Belgian and Sour lovers of the world. I thought it was terrible.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2011 07:22:56 | More by azdback

WankelEngine

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from an 11.2 ounce bottle into a tulip glass

A: Pours a very hazy, tan/dark golden color with a big off-white head that slowly fades, leaving a lot of lacing.

S: The most notable scent is sweet, floral hops. There is also the typical bready yeast smell and flavor of a Belgian ale. Light caramel malts impart a certain sweetness to the smell.

T: Again, the taste is dominated by hops. They give the beer an herbal, floral taste with the accompanying bitterness. There is a light malt flavor which helps mask this bitterness. I think I can detect light citrus flavors, but they are faint. The aftertaste is short and yeasty.

M: Light. There is a lot of small carbonation which complements the warming effects of the alcohol.

O: A refreshing Belgian ale, surprisingly drinkable for the alcohol content.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 21:03:58 | More by WankelEngine

ocelot2500

Arizona

3.85/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy golden color with a tight, white head that fizzes quickly leaving chunks of lacing.

Smells of bready malt and light fruits.

Tastes of a good dose of pale malt with some yeast coming through as well. Notes of pears and apples along with some bread. Sweetness is at a good level, not too much. Some yeasty spice notes show up in the end and add some pepper to the mix.

Mouthfeel is medium with a fizzy amount of carbonation.

Overall, a solid example of the style, but some things could be amped up and the mouthfeel could be tweaked.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2011 00:09:20 | More by ocelot2500

TheSupremeAJ

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

32cl stubby bottle from Abe's of Bethlehem, PA.

Appearance - Very full white head. Laces and fades

Smell - Full of citrus and belgian yeast notes.

Taste - Sweet malts with bitter hop bill. Spices.

Mouthfeel - Medium and almost cloying sweetness.

Overall - A decent beer, not worth going out seeking.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2011 00:24:14 | More by TheSupremeAJ

mariposafan

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours bright orange-gold with a huge, fluffy energizer bunny head. It keeps going, and going, and going.... Leaves lacing all down the glass as you drink out from under the head.

The aroma is bright and inviting. Yeast, bubblegum, spices, malts. Maybe some floral hops back there.

The flavor is reminiscent of the aroma but more muted. A little watery and a little more bitter than I was expecting, though not too bad. A little citrusy twang and mustiness add some character.

Feels nice. Medium bodied with creamy carbonation.

Drinks just fine. No noticeable alcohol and it's certainly pleasant enough. If the flavor were a little sweeter and with a little more yeastiness it would be a favorite Belgian style. As it stands, I'll be happy to have it again, but only if Duvel isn't available.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2010 23:22:25 | More by mariposafan

ferrari29

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into Tulip shaped glass

A - 2-finger foam formed; plenty of lacing on the sides of glass; vibrant carbonation; orange color body

S - Sweetness and fruit scents first come to mind (pear & grapefruit scents) followed up with a clean lager aroma; yeasts used in beer create a nice flowery aroma

T - Fruit tones; very pleasant and soothing feel over the palate; crisp and refreshing taste

M - Carbonated with thin viscosity

D - Crisp and refreshing; tastes like many of the quality Belgium beers out there, though I recommend this over some of the other beers I've had; kind of feels heavy, almost like a meal in a glass but enjoyable; I can have a few in a sitting

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2010 03:09:28 | More by ferrari29

crossovert

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz brown bottle. Label call it ' Atomium Premier Grand Cru".

It pours a honey gold with a bright white and big and fluffy head. The ehad sticks for a while and leave some nice lacing.

The smell here is luscious and intriguing. Tons of yeasty spice just assaults the senses. There is also a huge fruity smell, almost tutti frutti with a bit of orange and coriander. This is a 6 grain ale and it has a nice sweet breadiness under all of the yeast mayhem.

The taste is big and fruity, they were really going balls out with the fruit here. There is some subtle spiciness and a thick malt backing but it is mainly just fruit salad in flavor. Definitely a unique and interesting Belgian Pale.

This one is another solid brew from this brewery, I have always seen it and finally bought it and now love it.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2010 23:45:23 | More by crossovert

Parrotbeak

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Golden-orange, with a thin, white head that fades gradually, becoming patchy. Decent lacing.
Smell is heavily spiced malts with a little bit of citrus hops. Some banana, lemon peel, and pear, as well as some darker fruits. Light, peppery notes as well.
Taste is spiced malts, with some Belgian yeast and a trace of hops. Nutmeg, cinnamon, and brown sugar notes. Raisin and fig.
Mouthfeel is crisp and slightly biting. Moderate to high level of carbonation. Dry on the finish. Medium-light body.
Drinkability is good.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2010 04:58:57 | More by Parrotbeak

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at The Farmhouse in Emmaus, PA. Served in a red wine glass, it appears slighty hazy and amber with a tall, fluffy white head. It's funny, I'm used to finding beers that have great flavor but are a little dull in the aroma department. This was the opposite. It was bursting with coriander, cinnamon, and peppermint (unusual, but interesting). The flavor follows the coriander with a hint of orange peel - sort of like a wit, but without wheat character - and then a subtle but delicious candied apple malt flavor slides in before the beer finishes. Still, the beer's taste is too mild for a beer of this strength. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised to find a fresh take on this style.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2010 03:18:46 | More by tempest

dstc

Florida

4.03/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy, honey color with an amazingly huge, foamy white head. Head falls very slow. Big, sticky lace.

Nice malt and grain aroma with a sweet and tinny smell.

Rather complex malt & grain taste. Earthy with a lot of flavor. Big, sticky sweet finish.

Medium bodied mouthfeel with relatively low carbonation.

Nice, easy drinking brew. Quite pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2010 20:25:35 | More by dstc

zeff80

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a clear, deep burgundy color with a large, pillowy, white head of thick, long-lasting foam. It left thin rings of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of dried fruit - mostly plum and apple. There was a bready caramel aroma with some citrusy notes.

T - It tasted of sweet breads, caramel malt and dried plum and apple. It had a tart citrus kick.

M - It was crisp and fairly sharp. A light to medium-bodied beer with a dry finish.

D - This surprised me. I was at a French restaurant in Milwaukee with a limited beer list. I had never heard of this and really enjoyed it...twice.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2010 02:29:11 | More by zeff80