Oct 7, 2011

New Belgium Super Cru

New Belgium Super Cru photoIt’s a bird… it’s a plane…

With a name like Super Cru, one might expect an overly sweet alco-bomb of a beer. And at 10% ABV, before even cracking open the beer, that was my prediction as well when first pulling this bottle from the fridge. Most other Cru (supre, grand or otherwise) that I’ve had through the years have been just that — cloyingly sweet Belgian inspired brews that are too hot to handle in terms of alcohol.

New Belgium’s latest in the Lips of Faith line of beers, however, is a different take on the style. Initially brewed to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary, Super Cru is built off of their very popular Fat Tire, but with a mere doubling of the malts and hops, as well as the addition of Asian pear juice to the mix. Finish it all off with a Belgian saison yeast and you have yourself a beer that is unlike most others of this style.

Appearance

Super Cru pours a vibrant amber in color with an off-white head that fell to a thin ring.

Aroma

Starting off with a solid malt presence the aroma is full of herbal/spices notes, grassy hops, a light Saison-like funk, mild sweetness and pear (among other fruit aromas).

Taste

The beer’s crisp mouthfeel is the first indication that this isn’t your typical Belgian Strong Ale. Forgoing the overly slick and sweet nature that I typically find in the style, Super Cru carries flavors of pear, grassy hops and a light barnyard funk of wet hay across the palate. A subtle spice/herbal component rising from the background as the beer shifts to the lingering finish. Despite the 10% ABV weight of this beer, there’s not much of an alcohol presence within the flavors, though it does become more apparent after the beer has warmed in the glass.

Overall

I particularly enjoyed the use of a Saison yest for the fermentation of this brew. It gives Super Cru a unique profile when compared to other products of this style. There’s plenty of depth and flavors to dive into when enjoying this one as an after dinner sipper. I’ll be excited to see how this one ages.

Rating: 4/5

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