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Grimbergen Cuvée 8.5

Belgium·Belgian Strong Dark
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A copper-coloured abbey ale of 8.5 per cent under a dense, generous white head. Ripe yellow fruit and pineapple lead the nose, joined by the house yeast's spice. On the palate the beer is full of flavour, with sweetness and bitterness in balance and a hint of acidity; caramel, malt and a note of dark rum give it depth. The finish lingers on fruit, caramel and spice. Barley and wheat malt form the base.

ABV
8.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
fruitycaramelspicy
fruity
caramel
spicy
tropical
malty
yeasty
Aroma
The nose opens with ripe yellow fruit and pineapple, delivering a fresh tropical character.
also:sour
not found:hoppy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Grimbergen Cuvée 8.5

◎ Appearance

Copper-coloured ale presenting a bright, translucent body beneath a dense, persistent white head. The head maintains excellent retention and builds a fine lacework around the glass as you drink. Carbonation is evident but not aggressive, contributing to the beer's full-bodied presence.

copper, cleardense white headfine lacingwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with ripe yellow fruit and pineapple, delivering a fresh tropical character. House yeast contributes a spiced dimension—clove and subtle pepper notes—that interweaves with the fruit. Beneath these primary aromatics lies a gentle warmth hinting at the beer's alcohol content and fermentation complexity.

ripe yellow fruitpineappleclove and pepperfermented warmth

◐ Taste

The palate is full and complex, with a balanced interplay between subtle sweetness and restrained bitterness. Caramel and Malz depth anchor the mid-palate, while a whisper of acidity lifts the overall structure. A dark rum note adds richness without overwhelming—the barley and wheat malt base creates a smooth, moreish foundation throughout.

sweet-bitter balancecaramel, malt depthdark rum notefull-bodied

◑ Finish

The finish lingers with grace, extending fruit, caramel, and spice across the palate. The aftertaste remains dry and warming, with the alcohol's presence felt as a gentle heat rather than harsh burn.

lingering fruit and spicewarm, dry finish
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
85
Finish
79
Serve at 12–16°C

Warmer than most — 12–14°C. The fruity esters, spice and warming alcohol need room to breathe.

Goblet

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Grimbergen Cuvée 8.5

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About Belgian Strong Dark

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Strong Dark?

Belgian Strong Dark is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Belgian Strong Dark

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, caramel, spicy character as Grimbergen Cuvée 8.5 will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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