So...a Grand Cru is...

It's not really a style, but rather a label given to a breweries so-called best or something that is special or limited. It's a term borrowed from the wine world.

Here's the wine definition from epicurious.com:

grand cru [grahn KROO]

1. The French phrase for "great growth." 2. In burgundy, grand cru is the top ranking a vineyard can receive. It's only bestowed upon a limited number of vineyards in the côte d'or and chablis. Because the vineyards of Burgundy are divided among many owners, this top ranking doesn't always guarantee that the very best wines will be produced by the various vintners. The rank just below grand cru is premier cru. 3. In France's champagne region, villages are classified according to wine quality, and a percentage rating is applied, the very best receiving 100 percent. Seventeen villages in Champagne qualify for this highest (grand cru) status, although it's probably less meaningful in Champagne because the house (producer) is generally considered most important. 4. In alsace (as of 1983) the grand cru designation is bestowed upon the top vineyards. To date, fifty-one have qualified and are allowed to put "Grand Cru" on their labels. 5. In bordeaux the designation grand cru (versus grand cru classé) is given to some châteaus (such as those in saint-émilion), but it has little real meaning. Cheers!

-- Todd Alström President & Co-Founder

-- BeerAdvocate.com Belgian Beer Fest November 6, 2004 - The Cyclorama @ The Boston Center for the Arts

No. Someone posted the meaning of the designation from the wine world, and in the beer world it's somewhat analagous in that it's intended to designate something extra special. The brewery gets to make that distinction, and they can slap it on whatever beer they like. Typically, they do tend to the stronger, bigger expressions, but they don't really fit into any particular style.

-Steve

Many thanks to Todd and Steve.

Best regards, Bill