CS7- Bambule Grand Cru

[Bambule]

Its not really a grand cru,  more a strong Belgian Golden Ale, but I liked the sound of it. It took a long time to ferment, about 3-4 weeks. I'm not sure exactly as I went holiday and just left it on 23 degrees.  But it did attenuate really well to 1.007.  The first time I tasted it I thought it was horrible, like boutique mouthwash.  But now it's conditioned a bit it's become much more drinkable with a real dry finish which I dig.

 

Bambule Grand Cru

4kg Halcyon

0.25kg Wheat

0.05Kg Cara Aroma

0.7kg sugar

30 IBUs with Nelson Sauvin

wyeast 3944 yeast.

OG: 1.065

FG:  1.007

 

I've put a best after May 2011 label on it which you can ignore as it's drinking ok now, but I'm sure it will get better with a bit more time if you're patient.  Enjoy.

[Stu H]

Argh my bottle of Grand Cruz had a loose lid - I think you must have used the wrong bottle top... Dar, it smells okay, maybe I should re-package it and drink it soon?

[Stu H]

Or is that likely to be hazardous to my health?

[Bambule]

Aw crap man. I'm sorry about that. Its bottle conditioned so you could have a go re-priming it.  If that's no good cook with it! And I can give you another beer next time I'm in Wellington.

[Adrian Tayler]

okay, my bottle was sealed fine... poured nicely... aroma was nice, so much that when I went to smell the glass I slipped and snorted the head up my nose.... great work..

Strong malt flavours which is balanced out nicely with the hops..  Perhaps a late addition might brighten the aromas a little more?

Great work mate, thanks for the swap. \m/

[Bambule]

Glad to hear you liked it Adrian.  Beginning to wish I had some left so I knew what people were going to be subjected to.

[John H]

My tongue was on a virtual holiday tonight. Goodbye Akl hello Belgium. Had this one after Rev's.

 

Not sure whether the Sav was added late or not but i get a Savvie/Clove flavour with a traty finish which works quite well for me. Would not have picked the alc level as being so high - very easy drinking .

 

Cheers Bambule

[Bambule]

Thanks John,  pretty much all bittering additions, might have been some at 15mins but nothing major.

[vdog]

Had this the other night and didn't take any notes, so I'm going on memory here. I really enjoyed this, was a cracker of a beer to finish the swap with. I got hops along with the usual belgian spice on the nose, a great malt body and crisp grassy hops again at the end with a bitterness that was spot on. Clear as clear, great carbonation too. I didn't taste the alcohol, but I definitely did notice it a short while later!

 

Thanks Bambule - nice work.

[JackoNZ]

Pours crystal clear golden with a lively spritzy head. I'm crap at describing Belgian beers, I struggle with most of them to be honest. I keep trying though! Kind of apple/pear on the nose, a little bit of that usual Belgian funk/phenolic. Flavour wise it's dry, bitter, little bit fruity. The alcohol isn't noticeable. It doesn't seem to have a heap going on with it if I'm honest, I just wonder if more spec malts were added it might give this beer a bit more body and malt backbone. But then that could be well out of style, I've not brewed or got into Belgian beers at all myself so take that which a pinch of salt, this could be exactly as it's meant to be! Cheers for sharing Bambule.

[Martin Bridges]

Beautiful looking beer - rich gold, nice & clear. Big white head which persists well.

 

One sniff & you know it's Belgian. Lovely phenolics. Very Duvel-ish - rich warm malt, dry finish, interesting aromatics. I really like this beer, although 750ml was a bit much to tackle in one sitting - I should have gone with a smaller glass! :)

 

Lovely work Mr Bamboolay!

[Bambule]

Cheers Martin,  I'll take Duvel comparisons any day!

[Stu McKinlay]

Had this with Jed Soane - celebrity beer photographer (or is that beer celebrity photographer?)...

it's been a pretty huge week since we sared it but I remember it pouring brilliant pale gold, having a fair bit of spice and a fruity whiff of the punch it would kick on the nose. Clean malt, effervescent and spicy in the mouth. Very drinkable and it stood up nicely to a bunch of very good commercial beers we drunk that afternoon. Very good, I reckon it would gain a lot of complexity with time in the cellar (but it would never make it around my house).

Thanks Bambi...