AleSmith Grand Cru Ale
Reddish, light brown color and clear. Great start to the head although it leaves no lace on the glass Very strong port-like sweetness to the nose. No spice, hop or yeast aroma that I normally detect in most "Belgians". Rich texture with a moderate level of carbonation to make this a chewy brew. This could be called the sherry of beers, although the finish is far more dry than I'd ever expect. I can detect subtle hop which prevents the alcohol oiliness from showing up. It's a deceptively balanced beer even though it is sweet (caramelized sugar and molasses). This one is growing on me as I continue to sip. Do not expect a Belgian style here as much as a barley wine, but a very good one.