Name: Grand Cru

Brewer: Southampton Publick House

Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale

Vintage: 2007

Cellared On: January 11th, 2008

Original Tasting: February 8th, 2008

With a couple of good (and beer-loving) friends visiting over the weekend, I knew I needed to break out something good. Luckily I had an ace in the hole - Southampton’s fantastic Grand Cru.

Pouring a slightly murky light orangish brown, I was immediately struck by the heady smells coming up from the glasses. You’ll never smell a more powerful orange presence in a beer, I can almost guarantee that. Adding to the aroma’s complexity were background smells of sweet malts, vanilla, clove, and anise. Incredible.

Certainly not stopping there, this brew’s taste was just as complex as the smell. A sweet candy sugar flavor hits you right away, but quickly blends into a big and spicy fruit combo. Fruits including orange and peach combined with spicy clove and cardamon flavors into one big flavor blast. A slightly creamy mouthfeel really compliments the flavors well. A slight warming alcohol starts off the dry and fruity finish. Another big triumph from Southampton.

Six-Month Tasting: August 5th, 2008

A bit of a surprise here.

There’s still a big orange flavor to this brew, accompied by hints of peach and sweet cherries, but it doesn’t seem that bright and strong. It smells a lot more fruity then it tastes at this point. The spiciness of this beer has also noticebly decreased as well, with just a hint coming at the start of the finish. There’s a very subtle bitterness throughout this brew, and I get a little bit of warming alcohol at the end.

I don’t want to make it out like this is a bad beer at this point, but the flavors have definitely deadened a bit over the past few months. It’s still an enjoyable beer to drink, but it’s heading in the wrong direction.

Cellar Outlook: Strong and bottle conditioned, this should hold up well in the cellar. Whether or not there’s any room for improvement - I don’t know. This is one great beer as it is!

Six-Month Tasting Notes: I don’t have too much hope here. The esters and spice are already fading, I don’t see how they’re going to stop declining.

Next Tasting: January 2009

Jason

jason@brewbasement.com

www.brewbasement.com