Val-Dieu Grand Cru - Brasserie de l'Abbaye du Val-Dieu

daledeee

Iowa

4.45/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I popped the cork from this 750ml bottle and fruit smell started emminating from the bottle. This beer has a head that will not go away with a dark brown clear body.

The nose is fruit, yeast and musty.

The taste is fruity like grapes or cherries. Background notes are sugar and caramel. Very very nice drink. Alcohol is very warming but this is an easy to drink beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2008 23:25:41 | More by daledeee

glid02

Georgia

4.45/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Daryk77 was nice enough to split this one with me.

Pours a hazy deep chestnut color with a big two-finger light tan head. The head recedes slowly into a thin pancake of bubbles on top and a thick ring around the glass. Lacing is sticky. The last of the bottle yields fine yeast floaties.

Smells of Belgian candy sugar with some breadiness along with dark fruits. Light hints of the alcohol come through as the beer warms.

Tastes great. Candied dark fruit flavors up front are backed up by very light bready flavors and even lighter spices. It's a tad sweeter than most other quads I've had.

Mouthfeel is great. It's got a good thickness and small, grainy carbonation that make this one smooth brew. Velvety.

Drinkability is great for any ABV, but especially for a 10.5%. I could have a lot of these.

Overall this is on the top tier of quads. All the flavors work very well together and it's so very smooth. Give this one a shot if you see it around.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2008 22:27:52 | More by glid02

GilGarp

Colorado

4.45/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle served in a chalice glass.

Cork is so far down in the bottle I needed a corkscrew to get it out. Date is best by 03/09 so maybe a little older than the brewery intended.

Pours a deep dark mahogony brown with red highlights and creamy white head. The head is neither as thick or long lasting as I would have liked. Some lacing is left behind.

Aroma is coaxed out with a little swirling. It is pretty mild but has some nice sweet fruit and spice notes.

After lack-luster appearance and aroma, the flavor comes as a pleasant surprise. Depth and complexity are certainly not for want in this beer. Lots of rich dark fruits, raisins, green grapes, spice, and yeast all in abundance. Perhaps a little pumpkin but it's favorable. Sweetness prevails but there is a nice bitterness midway through and it finishes pretty dry with the alcohol evaporating off the tongue.

Mouthfeel is full body and pretty smooth considering the big carbonation. Very drinkable as the alcohol is only detected on the finish and it's well-hidden.

Overall it's not my favorite quad (there are many great examples) but it's very enjoyable and worth a try if you're a fan of the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2009 00:12:31 | More by GilGarp

eric5bellies

Australia

4.45/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Drank from a Chimay Chalice

A - Pours a dark mahogany colour, off white creamy head that stays around for a while.

S - Heavy aromas of maly and sweet stewed fruits with some spice.

T - Complex flavours of malt and spice with some stewed fruits a hint of molassis. very well balanced indeed.

M - Medium to full body and medium carbonation.

D - This is a top shelf quad, that I enjoyed very much.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2010 15:33:26 | More by eric5bellies

trevorjn06

Washington

4.45/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep mahogany/brown with a thick, tight mouse-like head that lingers. Thick lacing down the glass.

Aroma is rich stone fruits, figs, plums, raisins, molasses, burnt sugar and dark caramels. Wonderful.

Taste follows the nose with sweet, dark caramels and dark fruits. There is a bit of burnt sugar, sweet malt, molasses, moving into plums, raisins, figs and a bit of Munich malt like bready character. Finish has hints of alcohol and dark fruits that linger for awhile. A very pleasing taste that lingers.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation.

Overall this is an amazing beer: strong, full bodied flavor with a great complexity and lasting finish. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2011 03:09:46 | More by trevorjn06

Mar02x

Netherlands

4.45/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I tried this beer on the Zythos beer festival in March 2011 for the first time, and it was the winner that day!! I loved it ever since.
At a beer tasting on the 26th of august this year, this beer had the honor to be tasted after the Dark Lord 2010. It hurts to say that it made a knee fall that evening. To the 'Brabander' I would like to say: I'll be back!

A - Beautiful dark brown with a nice head.

S - Very nice on the nose, dark fruit, some vinous characteristics.

T - Very rich flavor profile, a bit sweet and some wine like flavors.

M - Good carbonation, and smooth but maybe not quite as smooth as the Westvleteren 12.

O - Strong taste, nice after dinner beer. A very, very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 19:23:14 | More by Mar02x

DenverLogan

Colorado

4.45/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Corked bottle...nice pop...poured in a Corsendonk chalice. Cork says 10/2014.
Dark brown with a beige head.
Rich aroma of sweet malts, slight plum, pear & prune.
Significant carbonation and big mouthfeel.
Flavors of candy sugar, molassas, dark roasted malts, caramel, cocoa, slight carob, rosemary, sarsaparilla...lets give this a few minutes...
Yeah baby...there's a small remaining head and the aroma remains strong and sweet...flavors are strong with a sweet biting malt distinctiveness.
I'll admit I did represent this brewery in California in 2007 and found all their brews excellent...great yeast and big malt profiles. The Grand Cru has a touch more of a bite than the others, but nevertheless a lovely beer, fresh or with a few years age.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 03:39:12 | More by DenverLogan

jwinship83

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle with a cork that put up an unnaturally hard fight. after getting the cork out, i see that it reads "03/10." i assume this is a best by date. great thinking! let's put it where you cant see it until youve already opened it! into the duvel tulip it goes.

A- this one pours a murky and very dark brown colored body. hints of ruby can be seen along the sides of my glass. small bubbles can be seen racing to the top if held up to the light. on top forms a large creamy looking light khaki colored head thats composed of tightly knit bubbles. the head lasts forever, and leaves behind a wall of sticky lacing. perfection in quad form.

S- sweet and bready malts upfront with lots of dark fruits following closely behind. cherries, plums, figs, pears, and raisins. somewhat spicy. anise mostly. very nice. i really like where this beer is going already.

T- very sweet bready malts. very fruity. cherries, plums, figs, grapes, pears, and raisins. a decent bite from the alcohol, but its a quad, what do you expect? spicy with pepper and anise.

M- medium to full bodied. fuller than i would expect from this style. a lower level of carbonation as well. both of those things really work for this one. a pretty severe warming from the alcohol (considering the modest amount for a quad). i would guess its stronger than 10.5%.

D- too strong to be sessionable, but goddamn would i want another! very underrated. check thsi one out if you get the chance. one of the best quads ive ever tried.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2009 03:22:28 | More by jwinship83

womencantsail

California

4.43/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The pour is slightly yeasty, so there's a bit of turbidity to it, but the color is mahogany with a big off-white head.

S: Wonderfully sweet on the nose with plenty of maple syrup, caramel, and brown sugar. There's a little bit of vanilla aroma and plenty of dark fruits.

T: A really solid dark fruit flavor of raisins, currants, and plums starts things off. Dark brown sugar, caramel, and toffee give a nice maltiness and sweetness and I get some maple syrup as well.

M: Medium to full in body with a moderate level of carbonation.

O: One of the better Quads out there. One of my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2011 06:06:05 | More by womencantsail

danedelman

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-dark brown with creamy white head. Nice lacing on glass as you drink.

S-dried fruit, candi sugar, molasses and malt dark

T-very smooth at 10.5%. Lots of raisin, fig, and dark candi sugar all very well blended together. All work well together and produce an awesome brew.

M-very drinkable, if the abv wasn't so high could session this one!!

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 22:19:12 | More by danedelman

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap @ Chez Moeder Lambic Fontainas (Brussels, Belgium) on 7/5/12. Served in goblet.

Pours a near black in the glass, topped with 1 ½ fingers of rich off-white froth. This retains with a thin creaminess that soaps the sides of the glass with thick swathes of glass. The aroma is a dark fruit explosion, with a strong spiciness (anise is really sticking out) and a sticky underpinning of molasses and brown sugar flavors. This is very rich and flavorful in the nose.

The taste is RICH! Dark fruit, cocoa, molasses, brown sugar, toffee, and licorice all leading into a dry and spicy feeling finish. The mouthfeel is fuller bodied, with a light prickliness on the tongue and then more of a smooth silkiness that fills out the rest of the mouth. The alcohol here is present and while not overly warm in any way, it does start to wear on the palette just a bit.

Man, this was a damn good Quad! It was extremely flavorful and smooth for the size and was just a real treat to end our meal with. I’m glad we can get these beers in the States. Val-Dieu is on my radar in a big way now.

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2012 16:56:20 | More by Kegatron

lordofthewiens

Maine

4.4/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

We went to Ebenezer's Pub in Lovell, ME for a party, and Chris had a metheuslah of this beer. Besides the impressive presentation, this is a very good beer. A brown color with a medium head that lingered well. Sweet, fruity aroma. A nice vanilla taste, with the dark fruit and Belgian yeast present also. Lovely beer, very smooth. Didn't know it was 10.5% ABV until I was admiring the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2007 21:33:07 | More by lordofthewiens

RedHaze

Nebraska

4.4/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle, with 09/08 on the cork.

Pours a dark brown that's nearly black, with crimson highlights. The head peaks at about one finger, and fades very slowly to a thick cap that remains throughout the entire beer. Lacing is a thick sheet, almost completely covering the inside of the glass.

Smell; lots of dark fruits with dates, plums and a little bit of some figs. Some bready malts are present along with candied sugar and a little bit of vanilla.

Taste; the fruits are just as prevalent in the flavor as they were in the aroma. Plums, figs and dates are all there as well as a touch of cherries. The candied sugar adds a nice, but not cloying sweetnees, and the yeasts add a bit of a dying chalkiness. A peppery spiciness mixes very nicely with a bit of an alcohol bite in the finish.

Mouthfell/Drinkability; the mouthfeel is full bodied, with a nice smooth carbonation, and the drinkability would fantastic if the alcohol was not so high.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2007 00:59:00 | More by RedHaze

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.4/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

It's rare to see this beer and I've never seen it on tap before. Oh that's right, I'm at 72 hours of Belgium at Max's.

The beer pours a brownish color with great head retention and lacing. On the nose one gets chocolate, brown sugar and honey. The flavor profile replicates the nose and is just delicious. Very soft and creamy on the palate. The abv. is well disguised.

Fabulous stuff. Just absolute nectar.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2008 18:11:59 | More by johnmichaelsen

ALESwhatCURESya

Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml corked
Purchased after meeting with the North Shore FD to get my daughter Marlie's car seat installed. I also finished another semester of grad school so I figured it was a good time to have a grand cru of sorts.

A-Deep dark brown body with traces of rusted ruby in the light. Initial pours produce a very clear body with a nice dense layer of beige head. The lacing is quite impressive and clings all over throughout the session. Heavy yeast sediment on final pour.

S-Toffee, raisins, alcohol, and minerals fill the nostrils. Major hits of dark, candied fruits.

T-Much like the aroma, there are large doses of caramelized sugars and dark fruits. Moderate levels of spiciness comes through as the beer warms. Bready and doughy with a wonderful sweet finish to match.

M-Highly carbonated and dry for such a big beer. Wonderful blend of intense Belgian flavors and refreshing finish. The alcohol is evident at first but dissipates as the beer warms to room temp.

D-Every day beer....No, but it is a wonderfully crafted Belgian Quad that could be considered a great example of the style. This is the type of beer that I strive to create as a homebrewer.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2009 01:30:27 | More by ALESwhatCURESya

rallison

California

4.38/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown with a 1 finger semi-fizzy off-white head. Smells of Belgian yeast and dark fruits.

Taste quite delicious. Lots of strong flavors here. Dark fruits - plums, raisins, etc. Coriander and anise spicing. Molasses. Port. Belgian yeast and Candi Sugar. Nice kick of alcohol at the end to remind you it's there. This is how I like my quads - strong, and never boring.

Mouthfeel is very rich, with a slightly sharp finish. Drinkability is good on this, despite the strong flavors and alcohol presence.

Highly recommended. A very tasty quad indeed - if not one that you can afford to drink every day.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2007 04:52:13 | More by rallison

IntriqKen

California

4.38/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark, dark brown with only a hint of red tones. A ful 3 finger head of off-white craggy foam tops the brew and leaves a very sticky map as it melts away.

Aromas are caramel malts, dark brown sugars and some dark fruits.

Taste is also lots of dark complex fruits...plums, prunes, raisins. Dark, dark candied sugars and a bit of alcohol.

Lots of alcohol warmth after you swallow and as it settles in your tummy.

Very tingly mouthfeel from a combination of tiny carbonation and pepper-like spice.

Very, very nice dessert beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2008 03:11:38 | More by IntriqKen

discovolante65

Rhode Island

4.38/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at Track84 in Warwick, RI

Pours a prune-purple brownish color with a 1-inch off white head that reminded me of sea-foam.

Smells of brown sugar, malty/toffee goodness, and raisins/cherries. Slight alcohol smell at the end.

Tastes of malts/brown sugar, toffee and maybe caramel. The taste is almost an exact replica of the smell.

Mouthfeel is creamy, fizzy,and lingering with deliciousness. coated my mouth and throat nicely for quite a while.

Drinkability- were it not for the high ABV, I would've had more, but I was driving, so I shifted to something with a lower ABV. Next time I come here, not driving, and having more than one of these. Excellent Quad!!!

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2009 21:42:20 | More by discovolante65

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Val-Dieu Grand Cru

Abbey Ale from Belgium, the Val-Dieu Grand Cru pours a clear deep amber hue with an inch of bubbly film. Active carbonation rises from the bottom of the etched goblet. Aromas of grape, belgian yeast, and sweet malts. In the taste, raisin, brown sugar, mild sweetness and finishes clean and dry. Effervescent, medium bodied with very solid flavor. Enjoyable for being surprisingly light given it's strength, and flavorful at that. A fine example of a Quad.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 02:03:16 | More by Stinkypuss

dnichols

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My sons and I enjoyed a capped and corked 750 ml bottle poured into chilled chalices during a Christmas dinner of baby-back ribs and homemade Boston baked beans.

A: It poured a dark amber body with a ruddy copper hue. pours a clear reddish dark amber color. The one to two finger head retained well before falling to a thick even surface cover that supported a consistent but not long lasting lacing.

S: It had distinct and bold dark bready and yeast aromas followed by sweet malts and caramel with hints of alcohol.

T: It was bready with dark yeast flavors that reminded me of pumpernickel bread dough. The yeast flavors were followed by sweet roasted malts that produced a very sweet caramel flavor and lots of dark fruits (e.g., plums and red graped). Each sip ended with a warming affect of the alcohol dashed with dark spices including cloves and black pepper.

M: It was a medium-to-full body brew with a smooth creamy texture and a yeasty sweet warming profile that finished with a sweet bready aftertaste.

D: It was full bodied and had a high ABV that might limit its functionality as a session brew. It is a sipper and a wonderful treat to share with friends. I intend to add it to my stash for special occasions.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2007 14:36:25 | More by dnichols

scottoale

California

4.35/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the big 750ml. brown bottle with a Best before: 03/09 stamped on the cork, into a large Duvel tulip. Very dark brown with a two-finger thick, ivory floam cap. The head settles after ten minutes or so and leaves some thick clumpy lace, clinging to the glass. Very good looking stuff.

The nose is sweet and fruity with some spicy yeast characteristics. Some phenols creep through as the brew warms a bit.

The flavor is rich and fruity of over-ripened plum, fig, pear along with a thick caramel and toffee that coats the tongue. The finish is pleasantly sweet and warming...excellent full taste, hint of tobacco.

Good smooth, slightly fluffy full body that is a pleasure to consume. A very good, solid Quad, that I fully recommend. Chalk another one up for Belgium.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2008 23:20:22 | More by scottoale

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appears a copper toned amber with a small off white head that slowly fades after a decent retention. Scattered bits of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of ripe fruit, freshly baked bread, brown sugar, esters of bubble gum and spice.
Taste is of tropical fruit, plums, brown sugar, and raisin bread.
Mouthfeel is full bodied, smooth, well balanced, tasty, and lightly boozy

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2010 00:05:01 | More by weeare138

PHSCAPT

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A – mahogany dark, turbid orange when held to a light; poured at 60F into a Chimay goblet; a pinky finger of creamy white head
S – seriously…I get macaroni and cheese mixed with an apple shed
T – Nicely boozy; sweet dark fruits with slightly dry finish
M – finely carbonated, very smooth
O - Definitely a re-buy

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 21:45:21 | More by PHSCAPT

t0rin0

California

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is my favorite quadrupel (of the 13 I've tried). It pours a dark brown color that is pretty clear. The head is white and thick and sticky, pretty cool for a Belgian beer.

The smell is mostly of raisin and plum but there are other sweet smells coming out as well. There is also some yeast to be smelled when its been sitting in the pint glass for a couple minutes. Alcohol doesn't make itself noticeable until the temp rises.

The taste is wonderfully strong and sweet. No hop flavor as usual but theres plenty of yeast and fruit flavor. Tons of malty goodness. Some small amounts of spices noticeable but not so much in the taste, more in the mouthfeel of the beer. Just a wonderful flavor all around. Everything balances nicely and no one flavor dominates the rest. Not the most complex beer in the world but thats alright, sometimes (like in this case) simpler is better.

Medium/heavy body. Its not really that viscous but once it hits the tongue it really coats everything nicely. Very drinkable, if it were cheaper I would buy a ton of this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2008 21:33:41 | More by t0rin0

bunnyhustle

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Randomly picked from the shelf with no expectations, had never even heard of it. I was immediately impressed. Pours dark as can be, not quite black but a tremendously dark brown, thick off-white head with decent retention and ok lacing. Smell is of a typical Belgian, some bread and yeast, a touch of sweet fruit and a bit of alcohol, a little heavy on the bread smell. Taste is great. It has a very sweet taste to it, very sweet sugar, almost Duvel-ish. Plenty of fruit flavors, a little grassy taste and a warming alcohol taste as it goes down. Medium bodied with low carbonation, a very smooth drinker. the 10.5 ABV is impressive, but whats more impressive is how well its hidden. This is a truely great beer and one I will definitely revisit in the future.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2008 00:08:14 | More by bunnyhustle