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Beer (rec.drink.beer) Discussing various aspects of that fine beverage referred to as beer. Including interesting beers and beer styles, opinions on tastes and ingredients, reviews of brewpubs and breweries & suggestions about where to shop. |
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http://beeradvocate.com/news/stories_read/696
Originally brewed exclusively for the 25th anniversary of Whole Foods, Cru D'or (in French: "gold vintage") is a Belgian-style Abbey Dubbel from the North Coast Brewery in Fort Bragg, California-the same brewery that produces Old Rasputin and PranQster. Thanks to the unique traits lent by Belgian yeast strains, the Belgian Dubbel is a rich, malty beer with some spicy, phenolic mild-to-warming alcoholic characteristics, often quite aromatic and exhibiting notes of dark, ripe fruit. Hop bitterness is mild, with no lingering hop flavors, though it may show traits of a steely caramel flavor from the use of crystal malt or dark candi sugar. Look for a medium-to-full body with expressive carbonation, too. North Coast Brewing Company Cru D'or - Certified Organic Belgian-style Abbey Dubbel for Whole FoodsWhat's different about North Coast's version is that it's also 100 percent certified organic. To date, many organic beers haven't gained a mass audience, but let's see how this one stacks up. The Taste Poured from a stubby 12-ounce brown bottle into a Belgian-style chalice, the beer appears a rich, semi-hazed, deep brown with ruddy hues; a creamy beige head dresses the top, with a wispy center and ringed lace. Malty aromatics make their way to the nose as soon as the bottle is cracked, full with toffee, fruit, soft spices, metallics, faint flora, earth, fresh roots, a bready yeast edge and a deep, spicy and warming alcohol. Lush feel on the palate, with creamy, smooth carbonation. Malt base is even, with the taste of dark overripe stone fruits, a distinct prune edge, and rounded juiciness-not overly sweet. Light charring in the background, some burnt sugars, a touch of orange blossom honey and some steeliness. Dry toward the finish, with a lingering alcohol warmth and spice, root and earth character, and a big yeasty smack at the very end. Final Thoughts Available in four-packs and weighing in at 8 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), Cru D'or is a fairly decent Dubbel. It's a bit rough around the edges, yeast-wise, and could use some cleaning up, but it's flavorful enough to keep you interested. We highly recommend allowing this beer to warm up a bit before serving (15 minutes out of the fridge should do); otherwise, you run the risk of masking aromas and flavors. Whole Foods suggests pairing with chèvre and balsamic-vinegar-soaked seasonal fruits. They're spot-on with the goat cheese suggestion; for the adventurous, try baked goat cheese and balsamic-soaked cherries wrapped in bacon. For more info: northcoastbrewing.com Respect Beer. |