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

mikesgroove

South Carolina

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

from notes
\
deep amber in color bordering on a nice brown with a small head of light off white color that quickly faded into obscurity and left some nice lacing along the sides of the glass. Deep boozy aroma here, lots of alcohol present along with some nice caramel malts and a touch of light grassy notes as it warmed. Some nice fruit flavor on the first sip but this is drowned out quickly by the hot nature of the booze. Really could use some time to sit down as it is just too fresh I feel. Still though I push on letting it warm and come through some light touches of raisins, perhaps a touch of light fig now mixing in as well. Smooth, light and subtle carbonation leaves the mouth dry

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 01:50:36 | More by mikesgroove

jayhawk73

Maryland

4.47/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A- Pours black w/ a massive three finger cocoa head. Excellent carbonation and lacing. Head sticks around for a really long time, leaving tons of lacing on the glass. No light gets into this brew, it's super dark.

S- Malt, yeast, cherry, and dark fruits. Nose isn't as strong as I'd like, but still very pleasant and balanced.

T- Plum, cherries, malt, alcohol, yeast, and some dark fruits. This is a really tasty Quad. Nice smooth aftertaste as well. Really enjoying this beer- glad I found it.

M- Very smooth, and the malt coats your throat w/ a nice thick layer of Quad-ness. Full bodied beer that goes down fairly easy, especially for the style.

O- Really nice beer in one of my favorite categories. Opens up quite a bit w/ warming. If you see it, buy it. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2011 23:13:15 | More by jayhawk73

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Ebenezer's Pub, Lovell, ME

Served on tap, poured into a chalice; a dark mahogany brown with a small eggshell head that left some nice lacing on the glass. Aromas of dark sugars, rich maltiness, and notes of dark, dried fruit. Nice array of flavors on the palate, with yeasty bread, brown sugar and caramel, raisins, pears, plums. Smooth and medium-bodied, and pleasantly drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2011 23:03:11 | More by Rifugium

trevorjn06

Washington

4.45/5  rDev +5.7%
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

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.65/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A: Poured a deep purplish color with good carbonation leaving a nice dirty cap and bubbles, some lacing

S: Sweet candy, loads of fruit(grapes, lighter prunes, figs, very nice

T: Amazing. The moment I sipped this I said "Wow". Very tasty. Loads of nice dark grapes, not overly ripe but fresh, some figs, raisins and a light prune, some candy sugar, brown sugar, molasses. So sweet and easy toi drink. The booze is light but no way did it taste at 10%. Killer beer.

M: Medium body, not heavy, booze is masked well, loads of flavor

O: I believe this sets the standard for Gran Cru's. I found it to be awesome and it beer be at $9

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2011 01:53:10 | More by barleywinefiend

JohnnyS17

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The color is a nice mahogany with a slight reddish or purple tint. A tall white head with a hint of tan. Relatively transparent with some cloudiness. It smells sweet like maple syrup and brown sugar. It kind of reminds me of pancakes, but with a hint of alcohol. Haha.

The taste is nicely sweet, like raisins and brown sugar. The high ABV is hidden well with the sweetness. A light medium body that brings back the maple syrup idea. Light carbonation.

Overall, I really enjoyed this beer. I paired it with my saltier steak and it was perfect.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2011 00:03:23 | More by JohnnyS17

augustgarage

California

4.13/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cork date of 04/12 - not sure what vintage that makes this...served lightly chilled. Poured from a caged-and-corked 750mL bottle into my Trappist Westvleteren goblet.

The cork emerges with a burst of smoke and lends the air an immediate scent of currants and dessert wine.

Bottle glass brown body, reveals itself to be a complex mixture of garnet, carmine, and other deep reds with lighter highlights when held to a strong light. Extremely dark, yet with good clarity on first pour. A thin finger of creamy lasting wheat colored foam forms a dense sheen above the liquid's surface. Pasty tiers of lacing coat the sides, and a fine clear gloss rides down just beyond the edge of foam.

The aromatics are densely packed with esters, including a mixture of berries, currants, and wine (as mentioned above). As the beer warms and breathes, a hint of spice and leather emerges as well, while the yeast contributes it's own subtle complexity behind a bready malt note.

Tart around the edges, but primarily sweet, fruity, potently malty, with a wide array of secondary flavors from green figs to a light herbaceous quality that emerges in the finish. Hints of chocolate malt arrive long after the aftertaste should have given out - very impressive how slowly the flavors morph and evolve. Relatively sweet finish, though never cloying. A contemplative flavor profile which would lend this beer towards inclusion in the preparation of a meal, or paired with a good blue cheese (e.g. Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Bleu d'Auvergne) or ripened chevre (e.g. Humbolt Fog, Purple Haze, etc).

Effervescent, rich, full bodied mouthfeel, with hefty but by no means overwhelming alcohol content.

An excellent quad, a good value, with decent aging potential (maybe not enough to warrant picking up a 6L methuselah, but it's nice that you have the option).

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2011 21:49:26 | More by augustgarage

Wowcoolman

California

4.25/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I thank Hop-head Mike for making sure I've had this both on-tap and from the bottle. Either way try to check this one out.
There's a noticeable jump in character from the Val-Dieu Triple. It's bigger, darker, and sweeter. The sweetness is a fundamental driving character here- we get notes of caramel and brown sugar and some dried fruit backed by the malt. This is pure Candyland for adults, with the alcohol subtly enhancing the mix, but not overpowering.
There are quads out there that have more complexity and bigger flavor profiles. Compared to some of those, this one may not be the greatest beer on the planet. Let those ones stand as a main course. This ones for dessert.

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2011 04:18:18 | More by Wowcoolman

womencantsail

California

4.43/5  rDev +5.2%
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

Sachsenfreude

Germany

3.9/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

appearance; thick and creamy beige head, perfect retention throughout the drink. Beautiful chunky lacing, dark, brownish amber body.

smell; much like the style but muted and lacking the complexity of some of the big boys. A bit of stale grass and sugar with alcohol stands out.

taste; a tad bit too sweet, very nice aftertaste, complex with a good, touch of light hop balance and alcohol. Hints of cherries soaked in whiskey.

mouthfeel; on the light end of heavy bodied, creamy and warming with a sticky finish.

overall; A nice drink but lacking the usual complexities of the style. Still a great drink and well worth the price.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2011 01:29:48 | More by Sachsenfreude

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle split with Steve and crew at Beer Bistro. 75cl, 2006 vintage. Into a few tulips.

Pours dark brown, relatively opaque with some great head and retention. Mild spotty lace. Nose of dark fruits, tons of spice, cloves and pepper, all taking on a subtler and well integrated flavour given the 5 years of age on it. Taste has more of the dark fruits, plum, spice and a nutty quality. Fruits are rich, as is the body. Grape skins and chocolate. Alcohol hasn't yet disappeared. Full body and rich feel to it, not overwhelmingly so. Complex and a nice treat.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2011 18:23:48 | More by liamt07

mithrascruor

California

3.7/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750 mL bottle poured into a chalice.

Appearance: A very dark pour, with reddish-brown highlights at the edges. Nice off-white head is creamy and foamy, with good retention. Some nice lacing as well.

Smell: Quite different than I imagined, since it is not heavy at all. I am getting the lightness of, say, strawberries and cream, though the actual aroma is more of caramel and fruit.

Taste: Has a pretty mellow fruity caramel flavor. I catch some raisins, apples, and hints of spice (cinnamon, nutmeg). Not much in the way of darker fruits, clove, yeast, or brown sugar. There's some more sweetness up front, and a bit of bitterness in the aftertaste, but overall, a pretty even keel throughout.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and smooth with light yet constant carbonation.

Drinkability: High ABV but not really apparent in the flavor.

A nice beer, but I don't really feel impressed by it. It lacks the dark, heady flavors that I generally associate with this style, and after a while starts to taste a tad too sweet. Not bad, but I was expecting something more and I'll pass on this in the future.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2011 00:02:34 | More by mithrascruor

impending

California

4.28/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml into a tulip. Pours a clear dark copper, backlit reveals a dark garnet. Dense towering head recedes leaving clumpy froth dangling.

Aroma as if a strong dark noël. Crisp clean spicy. Some smells seem happy, no reason really they just do, as does this. Superb

Long evolving flavor. Lots of candied dark sugars. Indigestion is a possibility. Nice peppery alcohol punches through momentarily before the phenolic long sweet finish begins. Warms well. Aftertaste till tomorrow. Thick viscous mouthfeel.
more of a strong dark than a quad
cheers
jd

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2011 04:22:15 | More by impending

brewdenver

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wonderful beer. Active frothy head with pour. Used a New Belgium .47L tulip glass. Color is dark, around 18-23 lovibond. Taste was sweet with hints of caramel and red wine. Had a sort of resin aroma. Very active on the palate. Definetly getting more for the price I found it.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2011 07:36:26 | More by brewdenver

eric5bellies

Australia

4.45/5  rDev +5.7%
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

alcstradamus

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Near black pour with a huge foam head and good lacing.

Aroma is raisin/caramel sweetness and some roasty malt. Notes of yeast and spices. Very peppery.

The flavor is toned way down in the spice department and the raisin is kicked way up. This is pretty damn good! Lots of yeast and a very light bit of acetone in the finish.

The body is on the fuller side of medium. Carbonation is high but soft and still keeps the beer a bit creamy.

Overall this is a very fine quad. Not complex at all, but quite tasty and easy drinking for the huge ABV.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2010 01:55:47 | More by alcstradamus

charlzm

California

3.9/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Consumed October 17th, 2010 at the Los Angeles Beer Week Festival.

Beer pours a clear but very dark brown with a clingy one finger off-white head.

Nutmeg and dark sweet malt in the nose.

The flavor is mostly about bready malt; molasses, nutmeg and prunes play supporting roles. A sharp white grape note leaps in near the finish.

Smooth but boozy on the finish.

Its heft renders it not terribly drinkable, but impressive nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2010 03:49:14 | More by charlzm

dasenebler

Maine

2.83/5  rDev -32.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

750ml, Netherlands, best by cork date 03/12.

Brooding brown, very dark. Great head laces with some serious staying power.

Aroma is quite bready and warmly spicy. Dark fruit notes.

The flavor is not terrible, I just find it too sweet and flawed in the end, sort of like the beer hasn't finished fermenting yet. Lots of brown sugar and toffee, coupled with slight dark cherry flavors. That's it really. I was expecting more depth. Alcohol and spices start to kick in as the beer comes to room, but overall the alcohol is well-disguised. Slick and oily mouthfeel. Soft, creamy carbonation.

This beer succeeds in every aspect except the most important: flavor. Maybe this bottle needed more age. Yet, with a cork date of 3/12, I would expect this to have been bottled in 2008 or earlier, so it should really be much more drinkable than it is.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2010 00:09:54 | More by dasenebler

WoogityBoogity

Florida

4.08/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Artificial cork, date stamped "05/12". Cork was a bitch to remove, and it seems as if there was barely any carbonation.

A - Dark mahogany body... poured straight down tulip glass and barely any head formed. Cleary body, although dark. After a minute, head settles to almost a tiny froth. If twirled, microbubbles reduce from body.

S - Simple malt, cinnamon aroma. Very mild fruity esters for a "Grand Cru".

T - Malt complexity is limited... but stands out. A few peppery spice phenols. Finish is dry. Label claims 10.5% ABV, though alcohol taste is well hidden (or is lying).

M - Medium body, low carbonation.

D - Very drinkable; would pair well with dessert if you're looking for a Quad that doesn't overpower.

---

It almost seems like the beer I tasted was way too young.

I'm not sure if I, like the person just below me, got a bad batch - but it seems like this was bottled before tertiary fermentation was completed. I believe Val-Dieu doesn't use bottle fermentation, so it almost seems like after racking, Val-Dieu didn't complete the carbonation process.

Either that, or very simply... this beer is way too young (which I don't believe). As it's bottled, it travels from brewer to importer over seas by boat (30 days), then to distributor's warehouse (another 30 days), to store shelf (couple weeks)... so I'm not sure of the situation.

But recent reviews don't match previous reviews.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2010 01:58:29 | More by WoogityBoogity

JoeAmerican77

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

App-Poured a rich dark mahogany, very little head which sooner than later equalled no head.

Smell- Smells faintly of dark fruits and alcohol, a little bit of licorice root. A slight sourness to the aroma almost lambic like.

Taste- A soft Sweet, front meets you from the get go. Generous amounts of candy sugars and phenol nips. A thick mallasses flavor and some sour citrus in the back. Once warmed is opens to a thick and sweet treat.

Mouthfeel- Full-bodied and thick in the mouth, blankets the tongue. Lightly dispersed carbonation and the alcohol tends to help clear the palate in a decent way at the end of each sip.

Drinkability: Heck yes, get one and enjoy the dark flavors that await. Brewery's best offering maybe?

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2010 05:01:10 | More by JoeAmerican77

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.05/5  rDev -27.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

750ml bottle $10. I have always passed up Val Dieu beers and for some reason this caught my eye. Maybe it was the black label? Anyway, this poured a very dark brown and looks like your typical Belgian quad. The smell was fruity and sweet, almost too sweet. The flavor was raisins and sweetness, cloying sweetness. This was not my favorite quad and now I may know better about buying Val Dieu beers.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2010 00:22:10 | More by ArrogantB

rapidsequence

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

750 ml corked bottle. $8.50 from Pints O Plenty.

Appearance: A very dark, clear ruby color. Big, soft cottony looking head with infinite retention. Very nice lacing. Helluva good start.

Smell: Smells very sweet. Dark fruit and yeasty spiciness. A nice maltiness and a tiny, unexpected whiff of sourness.

Taste: Very, very sweet. Too sweet. Raisiny syrup flavor, some spice, a nice bready yeast finish. The alcohol is warming, but hardly tasted at all. Not all that complex, and just too damn sweet.

Mouthfeel: Well this part is really nice. Full in the mouth and very smooth. The carbonation gives an exceptional softness.

Drinkability: This is a pretty good beer, but not that great of a quad, especially for an actual Belgian. Its just too sweet and not multifaceted enough. It was enjoyable enough, but I won't buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2010 01:28:16 | More by rapidsequence

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.88/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Shared a bottle with Rob earlier this summer. Review from notes.

Poured into two goblets from a 750mL bottle. This beer appears a cinnamon brown hue with a decent sized head and adequate lacing on the glass.

Belgian yeast aromas with sweet malts, figs, alcohol.

This beer is a little hotter and a sweeter than I would prefer. There are some nice notes of dark fruits soaked in alcohol and classic Belgian yeast strain flavors, but this is a step below the upper echelon of Belgian quads.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2010 03:35:37 | More by Huhzubendah

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Very dark, brown-black with a huge, bubbly, light-tan head. Excellent retention & lacing.

S: Dark fruit & pleasant spicy phenols. Truly excellent.

T: Figs, raisins, cherries, light spicing, brown sugar, cider, nuts, hints of cocao, nicely balanced bitterness, slight alcohol warmth, though I'd never guess it was this strong! Flavourful, perfectly balanced, well-crafted.

M: Well-attenuated, moderately full body has only a slight hint of residual sweetness. Good carbonation.

D: A really easy-drinking Belgian for its strength.

I'd say this is more of a strong dark than a quad, but all around, it's a great brew.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2010 20:36:07 | More by Derek

Halcyondays

California

3.58/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours a dark brown with a remarkably white head compared to the base beer. Some nice lace.

S: Brown sugar, raisins, dark candi sugar is prominent.

T: Has the classic dark candi sugar quad flavour but really nothing else. Some raisin and prune, but lacking complexity. Just going through the motions.

M: Medium-bodied, very smooth, light carbonation.

D: A solid quad, but the complexity and flavour was considerably better in the Brune which I had back in the day.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2010 23:50:38 | More by Halcyondays