Upright Brewing Grand Cru Portland | Belgian Dark Ale

Hi there! I’m Riho, a craft beer enthusiast. I cracked open Upright Brewing’s “Grand Cru” (Belgian Strong Dark Ale, 10.5%) that I brought back as a souvenir from Portland (Oregon). I accidentally knocked the bottle over in the fridge and let some air in, so I rushed to open it before any degradation — and what a happy accident it turned out to be!

About Upright Brewing

Upright Brewing was established in 2009 in Portland, Oregon by founder Alex Ganum. Alex learned open fermentation techniques during an internship at Brewery Ommegang (New York) and brought his own unique approach to Portland. Their distinctive method involves open fermentation under UV sterilization and positive pressure management, making them virtually one-of-a-kind in the state of Oregon.

Beer Overview: Grand Cru

Item	Details
Beer Name	Grand Cru
Brewery	Upright Brewing (Portland, OR)
Style	Belgian Strong Dark Ale
ABV	10.5%
Process	Open fermentation -> Foeder (large oak vessel) aging -> Bottle conditioning
Spices	Secret spice blend (coriander-based)
Label	Vinyl record motif (45 RPM, A-side/B-side markings)

Detailed Tasting Notes

Aroma

A warm, jam-and-pie-like sweetness coexists with a crisp, cool edge from the alcohol. Coriander-like spices and bold herbal notes intertwine in complex layers — an aroma that builds anticipation before the first sip.

Mouthfeel & Flavor

When cold, it’s intense and almost bracing, but as it warms, it transforms into something surprisingly drinkable. There’s a candy-like sweetness and a rich depth reminiscent of sugar accidentally caramelized while making syrup. A malt sweetness base gives way to herbal notes that bubble up with the carbonation. The medicinal herbal quality and the depth characteristic of Belgian styles left a strong impression.

Finish

After swallowing, herbal, almost medicinal notes gently fill the palate. The herbal character is strong and may divide opinions, but I personally loved it. The lingering, mellow aftertaste makes this a perfect beer for autumn or winter evenings.

Upright x Shiga Kogen Beer Collaboration

Upright actually has deep ties with Shiga Kogen Beer (Tamamura Honten) in Nagano (長野), Japan, also featured here on Rihobeer.com! Through their barrel-aged brand “Yamabushi,” they released a stunning collaboration — “UPRIGHT MONKEY” — that took nearly two years to complete. A dream collaboration between two world-class farmhouse ale and barrel-aged beer masters.

Web Reviews & Ratings

Platform	Rating / Info
Untappd (Upright Brewing)	Numerous high ratings. Especially acclaimed for farmhouse ales and barrel-aged beers
BeerAdvocate	Highly regarded as a PNW farmhouse ale specialist
RateBeer	Ranked among top distinctive breweries in the PNW region

Enjoying Belgian Beers at Home

For complex Belgian Strong Ales like this, a tulip-shaped glass is recommended to highlight the aromas.

Browse Belgian beer tulip glasses on Rakuten

Overall Rating

References & Related Articles

Upright Brewing official website: uprightbrewing.com

Related articles: Shiga Kogen Beer (Tamamura Honten) / Fort George Brewery (Oregon)

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