BREWER: Castelain, Hauts-de-France

STYLE: Biere Blonde

ABV: 8.5%

VESSEL: 33cl bottle 

TWITTER: @Biere_CASTELAIN

INSTAGRAM: brasseriecastelain

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

First impressions, as they say are everything. And in the glass Grand Cru makes a positive impact; it looks so crisp and tempting. It looks good, sexy almost. But let’s see if this first impression is the right one…

Ok, so it may be a little bit claggy in the mouth. And it may not be the most sessionable of beers. But what Grand Cru most certainly is is tasty! It has a sweet overtone, which works well. It’s a little bit different from the rest of the pack.

However, the sweetness is good for maybe one or two, then after that you may be hankering after a change. Still, it’s a good starter beer for an evening. Or if you are after a beer for a quick sup, then this would be a contender.

So, the first impressions in this case were right to begin with. But it might be a short lived love affair before you’re looking for something else.

Sammy’s Rating: 77%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

From the day I bought this beer until the day I came to drink and review it, I hated the look of the bottle.  Let’s just get that straight.  I also hated the name as basically it drew me to Champagne et al so therefore left me thinking, eh??  And to be fair, for my simple eyes anyway, it kind of looked like a champagne bottle, maybe?  Actually it doesn’t at all, in fact I’m not sure what it looks like.

But wandering my mind did go and it turns out the term Grand Cru, unbeknown to me has been borrowed from the wine world by our beer world.  Well, well, well, now this put’s a different take on things all together!

Grand Cru essentially means the best of the best when it comes to wine making and apparently now beer making.  We’re talking finest ingredients, perfect temperatures and attention to detail beyond belief.  So suddenly we had a heap of pressure on this little French number and I have to say once I knew we were dealing with a beer portraying itself as a BEAUT the packaging took on a whole new complexion.  Didn’t love it, but suddenly kinda liked it.

Ok now, wow..this sucker is 8.5% !!!  Only just noticed that!!  It is also insanely smooth which backs up this Grand Cru attention to detail thing for sure.  And you know what… it is so smooth and so well put together that even at this strength you could happily sink a ton of these of an afternoon in the European sun.  I’m not saying you wouldn’t end up face down in a canal for several hours only to be fished out down stream by a local to take a selfie with you and then take you to the nearest brasserie as some sort of drinking pal trophy… but this beer is without doubt sessionable!  Just approach with extreme caution!

It’s also lovely.  Lemon, honey and hops dominate the flavour and that combined with the smoothness already mentioned makes this beer a cracker I assure you.

Definitely go find.  Definitely go drink.  Definitely be careful.

Jymi’s Rating: 84%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 80.5%

 

MOB review next weekend: OVERDRIVE by ELUSIVE BREWING

SIX WEEKS UNTIL DOG FROM MOB SQUAD – IF YOU KNOW,  YOU KNOW

BEER IS BETTER TOGETHER

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