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Grand Cru

Grand Cru, Brasserie St-Feuillien
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
94
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Appearance:
6 / 6
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Description 

Grand Cru is a speciality beer carefully crafted by Belgium's St Feuillien Brewery. This extra-blond amber nectar masterpiece undergoes refermentation in the bottle, resulting in a beer endowed with unforgettable character. Grand Cru differs from other beers in the range by its absence of spices. Its full, white head is light and frothy, and when poured it creates a subtle lace effect. The very pale colour of Grand Cru lends clarity and brilliance to its body.

Grand Cru's delicate nose is a veritable cascade of hoppy aromas with hints of fruitiness coupled with subtlety and sheer richness. When savoured, the first sip is light and intriguing. The next impression is one of a slight bitterness full of captivating nuances. When it hits the palate, Grand Cru creates a lingering moment of hoppiness, rounded off by an intense yet pleasant bitterness.

Judges Review 
BC Review's picture
Judges Rating:
94
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

St. Feuillien Grand Cru features a massive, distinctively tart aroma that rolls from the glass in alternating waves of sour cherry, sherry vinegar, and faintly syrupy malt. Tom enjoyed the “nose tickling acetic acid, balanced by sour berry notes,” but wished for a bit more malt sweetness to balance the overall tartness. Contrarily, Mike found pleasing hints of “warm, caramelized brown sugar” to offset the upfront “chocolate covered sour cherry tang.” Sporting a small beige head, Grand Cru is brilliantly clear and fills the glass with a lambent reddish-copper glow. Carrying through from the nose, this beer evinces a perfectly harmonized mélange of sweet, sour, and fruity flavors. Lee was surprised by the initial “lip-puckering smack of acidity,” yet noted the ensuing “battalion of juicy, fruity flavors” lent an incredible depth and complexity on the palate. A blast of “passion fruit reduction and vinegar stewed sweet fruit” caught Rick’s attention, but he delved a bit deeper to find a “subtly complex blend of lactic and acetic sourness,” leading to a perfectly integrated drinking experience. St Feuillien Grand Cru is a true classic and a cornerstone of Flanders brewing tradition for nearly 200 years. This Grand Cru is well worth the search for those lucky enough to find a steady supply.