I just can’t resist the Belgians. Grand Cru is a Belgian Strong Pale Ale from North Coast Brewing in California.  It’s been brewed with agave nectar and aged in bourbon barrels.  Strong is probably the correct word for this brew as it’s a huge beer at 12.9% ABV.  The head dissipates quickly and the nose is all Belgian with loads of fruit.  This is a full bodied beer, sticky sweet with apple and oak, with a hint of tartness at the end, and a strong presence of alcohol and oak throughout.  This is a very different beer, and one that I think is probably best matched with a strong cigar as an after dinner drink.   The flavors are odd together  but not in a way I find unpleasant.