It's Grand Cru time again

After another painful date with the Red Cross, I soothed my rage at the inept technician (this was the second-straight donation where she fiddled in my vein a little too long) with stroll through the aisles of Palmer's Beverage.

And another tradition has been upheld as a result.

With seasonal beers, they become common for rare beers like Gouden Carolus' Grand Cru of the Emperor. Gouden Carolus, or Carolus D'Or, is one of Belgium's oldest breweries, dating back to documents from 1369.

This strong and dark Belgian ale can be cellared for up to 10 years, and grows with age. It's dark fruit flavors and dryness hoist it up among Belgium's best - a bold accomplishment.

Last year I tasted the 2000 version, and have also sampled the 2004 and 2005 versions. There's subtle, tasty differences between them, and this time I plan to age one for years before touching it.

I first stumbled upon it at Sam's, the giant alcohol warehouse in Chicago, and let it sit for nearly a year before I gave into temptation. Later bottles fared less well in my beer closet (I'll post a review within a few months, once I've got a second bottle for the cellar).

Though the Grand Cru of the Emperor (brewed to honor the birthday of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, who was raised Mechelen, where the beer is brewed) can sit for a decade before drinking, it doesn't last long on the shelves.