St. Feuillien Grand Cru 750ML

St. Feuillien Grand Cru 750ML is a Belgian Pale Strong Ale brewed at 9.5% ABV and refermented in the bottle for natural carbonation. Named World's Best Belgian Style Strong at the 2017 World Beer Awards, this expression distinguishes itself through traditional dry hopping with Styrian Golding hops in bloom and a deliberate absence of spices — a departure from other beers in the St. Feuillien range.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.5%  |  Origin: Le Roeulx, Hainaut, Belgium  |  Style: Belgian Pale Strong Ale  |  Brewery: Brasserie St. Feuillien

Production & Heritage

Brasserie St. Feuillien operates from Le Roeulx in Belgium's Hainaut province, a brewery with roots tracing back to traditional Belgian brewing heritage. The Grand Cru undergoes refermentation in the bottle, producing its fine, persistent carbonation and champagne-like effervescence. What separates this expression from the rest of the St. Feuillien lineup is its spice-free recipe — where other beers in the range incorporate spice additions, the Grand Cru relies entirely on its Styrian Golding dry hop in bloom and Belgian yeast character for complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with pale grainy malt and honey before shifting into juicy pear and white grape. Subtle hop aromatics mingle with light stone fruit and a gentle Belgian yeast funk in the background.

Taste: The entry is lightly grainy with a clean malt sweetness that quickly gives way to a very dry, well-attenuated mid-palate. Mixed citrus, light stone fruit, and grassy hops build toward a firm, fruity bitterness. A toasted malt character emerges as the beer warms, adding depth without heaviness.

Finish: Dry and moderately long, with lingering fruity bitterness and a faint toasted grain note. The high carbonation lifts the finish, keeping it clean and refreshing despite the 9.5% ABV.

How to Drink Grand Cru

Pour into a tulip glass or chalice at 46–50°F to allow the aromatics to develop fully; the champagne-like carbonation is best appreciated when the beer has room to breathe. A Belgian Shandy works well here — the Grand Cru's natural dryness and citrus notes pair beautifully with fresh lemon juice. In a Bee's Knees riff using beer in place of gin, the honey and pear character integrates seamlessly with honey syrup. For a simple Beergarita, the dry profile and fruity bitterness hold up against lime and salt without turning cloying.

Best For

• Introducing a craft beer enthusiast to traditional Belgian strong ales
• Pairing with a multi-course dinner where champagne-like carbonation complements rich dishes
• Sharing during holiday celebrations as an alternative to sparkling wine
• Adding variety to a Belgian beer tasting flight alongside tripels and dubbels

Frequently Asked Questions

What does St. Feuillien Grand Cru taste like? It drinks very dry with a firm body, featuring juicy pear, white grape, and light stone fruit layered over toasted malt and a pleasant fruity bitterness. The champagne-like carbonation gives it a lighter, more effervescent mouthfeel than most Belgian strong ales at this ABV.

How does Grand Cru compare to Duvel? Both are Belgian Pale Strong Ales with bottle refermentation and high carbonation, but Grand Cru leans drier with more pronounced toasted malt and stone fruit character from its Styrian Golding dry hop. Duvel tends to deliver a crisper, more peppery hop bite and a slightly more assertive yeast profile, while Grand Cru favors subtlety and fruit-forward aromatics.

Is Grand Cru good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its champagne-like effervescence, complex fruit aromatics, and dry finish make it an excellent standalone pour served at cellar temperature in a proper tulip glass.

Where is St. Feuillien Grand Cru made? It is brewed at Brasserie St. Feuillien in Le Roeulx, a town in the Hainaut province of Belgium, an area with a long tradition of artisanal Belgian brewing.

What foods pair well with Grand Cru? Its dry, effervescent character pairs well with creamy soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert, where the carbonation cuts through the richness. Roast chicken with herbs benefits from the beer's malty depth, while grilled white fish complements its citrus and stone fruit notes. Moules-frites is a classic Belgian match, and lighter fruit-based desserts like pear tarte tatin echo the beer's own pear character.

What sizes does Grand Cru come in? St. Feuillien Grand Cru is available in a standard 750ML bottle, a format consistent with traditional Belgian strong ale presentation and ideal for sharing.

Is Grand Cru worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium Belgian strong ale, and the 2017 World Beer Awards gold medal along with consistent scores of 89 on BeerAdvocate and 91 on RateBeer support its standing as strong value within the category.

Why Grand Cru?

The 2017 World Beer Awards gold medal for World's Best Belgian Style Strong places this beer in rare company within a fiercely competitive category. Its dry hopping with whole-bloom Styrian Goldings — rather than pellets or extract — contributes a delicate, floral hop presence that feels more nuanced than many peers in the Belgian strong ale space. The decision to brew without spices forces the yeast and hops to carry all the complexity, resulting in a cleaner, more drinkable expression that still rewards careful attention. For a 9.5% ABV beer, Grand Cru hides its strength remarkably well behind that champagne-like carbonation and bone-dry finish.