Rodenbach Grand Cru
Brouwerij Rodenbach N.V.
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Sour - Flanders Red Ale
Ranked #6 - ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 96
Ranked #681 - Avg:
- 4.33 | pDev: 11.09%
- Reviews:
- 1,218
- Ratings:
- From:
- Brouwerij Rodenbach N.V.
- Belgium
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 353
- Gots
- 756
SCORE
96
World-Class
96
World-Class
Notes:
Flanders Red Ale- a blend of 1/3 young beer and 2/3 aged beer matured for 2 years in oak foeders. The original sour ale.
Reviews: 1,218
| Ratings: 4,259
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SABERG from Massachusetts
4.24/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from the 11.2 oz bottle into the test glass.
A - A ruddy, brown color, very little cap, very fine carbonation accumulates as a ring along the glass walls
S - Dark cherries, vanilla tannin, oak, some sweet malts, aged balsamic, and green apple skins.
T - Dark stone fruit, some ever so slight vanilla, a bit of late harvest grape, as the offering warms, the earthy elements pop. Grainy malts, with earthy musty threads. This is very complex
M - Medium body, semi sweet, then a shift towars slightly sour. Texture is luxurious, slick with a slightly tart linger.
Very cordial like with the gentle carbonation.
O - A bit of a revelation in 11.2 oz's. Outstanding texture, Softened by oak, the acididty doesn't run wild. The tannin touch is deft. Overall exceptional
Nov 07, 2021
4.24/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from the 11.2 oz bottle into the test glass.
A - A ruddy, brown color, very little cap, very fine carbonation accumulates as a ring along the glass walls
S - Dark cherries, vanilla tannin, oak, some sweet malts, aged balsamic, and green apple skins.
T - Dark stone fruit, some ever so slight vanilla, a bit of late harvest grape, as the offering warms, the earthy elements pop. Grainy malts, with earthy musty threads. This is very complex
M - Medium body, semi sweet, then a shift towars slightly sour. Texture is luxurious, slick with a slightly tart linger.
Very cordial like with the gentle carbonation.
O - A bit of a revelation in 11.2 oz's. Outstanding texture, Softened by oak, the acididty doesn't run wild. The tannin touch is deft. Overall exceptional
Nov 07, 2021
LanceBiggums
4.49/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
More brown than red, slightly hazy, one finger of khaki head. The smell and taste are extremely complex, dominated by fruit, red wine tannins, and vinegar, but in a good way. The flavour of this stuff sure packs a wallop. It finishes with the dominant sourness only slightly mellowed out by sweetness. Overall, a wonderfully complex beer.
Sep 29, 2021
4.49/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
More brown than red, slightly hazy, one finger of khaki head. The smell and taste are extremely complex, dominated by fruit, red wine tannins, and vinegar, but in a good way. The flavour of this stuff sure packs a wallop. It finishes with the dominant sourness only slightly mellowed out by sweetness. Overall, a wonderfully complex beer.
Sep 29, 2021
beergoot from Colorado
4.43/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Excellent brownish-red body with lots of lively carbonation; thick, spongy head. A beautiful aroma of cherry and raspberry; earthy mustiness. The taste flows along with the smell; rich, fruity tartness; raw oak; moderate sourness. Heavy body; velvety residual sugar note; moderate tartness; fairly sweet overall.
This is a fantastically rich and inviting Flanders red ale. It brings all the hallmarks of the beer style to the front. I don't find it overly sour nor over-carbonated and fizzy like some I've experienced. This one is heavy with complexity and nuance.
Poured at 45 F; bottling date (I guessing): September 08th, 2020 (label had JD 0.252 13 17:47)
Aug 30, 2021
4.43/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Excellent brownish-red body with lots of lively carbonation; thick, spongy head. A beautiful aroma of cherry and raspberry; earthy mustiness. The taste flows along with the smell; rich, fruity tartness; raw oak; moderate sourness. Heavy body; velvety residual sugar note; moderate tartness; fairly sweet overall.
This is a fantastically rich and inviting Flanders red ale. It brings all the hallmarks of the beer style to the front. I don't find it overly sour nor over-carbonated and fizzy like some I've experienced. This one is heavy with complexity and nuance.
Poured at 45 F; bottling date (I guessing): September 08th, 2020 (label had JD 0.252 13 17:47)
Aug 30, 2021
Guaro from Italy
4.22/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Visual: scarce coarse ocher colored foam, dark brown beer with amber reflections, veiled.
Nose: high intensity with fruity, acidulous, grape, light caramel and malt descriptors.
Taste: very intense with acidic, sour descriptors and sweet finish. Ripe grapes and ripe cherries, caramel. Acidic aftertaste of grapes always fighting with a very elegant fined sweetness. Mouth sensation of astringency and pungent carbonation with medium and soft.
Aug 17, 2021
4.22/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Visual: scarce coarse ocher colored foam, dark brown beer with amber reflections, veiled.
Nose: high intensity with fruity, acidulous, grape, light caramel and malt descriptors.
Taste: very intense with acidic, sour descriptors and sweet finish. Ripe grapes and ripe cherries, caramel. Acidic aftertaste of grapes always fighting with a very elegant fined sweetness. Mouth sensation of astringency and pungent carbonation with medium and soft.
Aug 17, 2021
rudiecantfail from Pennsylvania
4.35/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
330 ml bottle poured into a tulip glass. There is clear bottling information, but I'm nowhere near smart enough to decipher the code.
L---Opaque brown in my glass, but it was clear with a strong reddish tint while pouring it through light. Fluffy khaki head faded quickly and left ok lacing.
S---You can smell the sourness. Strong fruitiness. Tart cherries.
T---Wow, this is really good. Sour cherries, light red wine vinegar.
F---Much fuller bodied than expected from a relatively light 6.0% ABV.
O---This earns its world class status. So glad I bought two.
Aug 13, 2021
4.35/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
330 ml bottle poured into a tulip glass. There is clear bottling information, but I'm nowhere near smart enough to decipher the code.
L---Opaque brown in my glass, but it was clear with a strong reddish tint while pouring it through light. Fluffy khaki head faded quickly and left ok lacing.
S---You can smell the sourness. Strong fruitiness. Tart cherries.
T---Wow, this is really good. Sour cherries, light red wine vinegar.
F---Much fuller bodied than expected from a relatively light 6.0% ABV.
O---This earns its world class status. So glad I bought two.
Aug 13, 2021
scott451 from Canada (ON)
4.35/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a pint glass. A hazy reddish brown with a thin tan head that soon diminished to a ring which stuck around to the end.
Fairly strong clean, sweet and tart fruit smells.
Taste is vinous. Malty and mildly sour up front. A very long sweetish aftertaste. Some oak and leather present. Well melded.
Very smooth for a Flemish Red. Medium to light body and carbonation.
Overall a world class Flemish red. Well balanced and refreshing. Mildly sour, fruity and funky.
Mar 12, 2021
4.35/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a pint glass. A hazy reddish brown with a thin tan head that soon diminished to a ring which stuck around to the end.
Fairly strong clean, sweet and tart fruit smells.
Taste is vinous. Malty and mildly sour up front. A very long sweetish aftertaste. Some oak and leather present. Well melded.
Very smooth for a Flemish Red. Medium to light body and carbonation.
Overall a world class Flemish red. Well balanced and refreshing. Mildly sour, fruity and funky.
Mar 12, 2021
BPVandenbroek from Canada (AB)
4.18/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Rodenbach Grand Cru is clear and a deep red color, with leathery highlights. Head is dense, packed, cream colored, and lasting.
On the nose, Rodenbach is tart and fruity up front, smelling pleasantly of sour, ripe cherries. I can practically picture the juiciness of those cherries as they fall from the tree straight into my beer. Oak and vanilla lend support while softening the beer’s overall sourness. This may be my imagination but I could swear I find hints of leather hiding behind the aromas of oak. Unbaked bread lends itself to the flavors, helping the oak in its bid to soften those flavors of ripe fruit tartness.
On the tongue, Rodenbach is smooth and medium bodied. CO2 provides a spritzy carbonation that dances across the tongue. Soft flavors of unbaked bread give a platform for up front tartness which combines deftly with flavors of ripe fruit. Flavors give me ripe cherry as well as red grape minus the tannins. The finish has a lot going on each in its own subtle fashion. Chiefly there’s an earthy quality. Earthiness blends nicely with fruit as well as leather tinted flavors of oak. All of which combines to provide a very gentle flavor profile.
Like previous Flanders Reds, this one has some great character and great balance. Tartness and flavors of ripe fruit dominate without overpowering. Oak aging and a general bready quality help prevent this beer from being too strong in its tartness. Rather, it’s a delicious, refreshing, and greatly accessible example of the style.
Jan 10, 2021
4.18/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Rodenbach Grand Cru is clear and a deep red color, with leathery highlights. Head is dense, packed, cream colored, and lasting.
On the nose, Rodenbach is tart and fruity up front, smelling pleasantly of sour, ripe cherries. I can practically picture the juiciness of those cherries as they fall from the tree straight into my beer. Oak and vanilla lend support while softening the beer’s overall sourness. This may be my imagination but I could swear I find hints of leather hiding behind the aromas of oak. Unbaked bread lends itself to the flavors, helping the oak in its bid to soften those flavors of ripe fruit tartness.
On the tongue, Rodenbach is smooth and medium bodied. CO2 provides a spritzy carbonation that dances across the tongue. Soft flavors of unbaked bread give a platform for up front tartness which combines deftly with flavors of ripe fruit. Flavors give me ripe cherry as well as red grape minus the tannins. The finish has a lot going on each in its own subtle fashion. Chiefly there’s an earthy quality. Earthiness blends nicely with fruit as well as leather tinted flavors of oak. All of which combines to provide a very gentle flavor profile.
Like previous Flanders Reds, this one has some great character and great balance. Tartness and flavors of ripe fruit dominate without overpowering. Oak aging and a general bready quality help prevent this beer from being too strong in its tartness. Rather, it’s a delicious, refreshing, and greatly accessible example of the style.
Jan 10, 2021
Celtics76 from Rhode Island
4.4/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I'll keep this brief - wonderful classic beer. It's one of those beers that I've seen on the shelf for years without trying. Now I wonder what took so long.
Over the last several months, the Flanders Red style has emerged as on of my favorites. So much flavor to be had here!
Nov 16, 2020
4.4/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I'll keep this brief - wonderful classic beer. It's one of those beers that I've seen on the shelf for years without trying. Now I wonder what took so long.
Over the last several months, the Flanders Red style has emerged as on of my favorites. So much flavor to be had here!
Nov 16, 2020
dsa7783 from New Jersey
5/5 rDev +15.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Four-pack copped from Bottle King in Livingston. Pours a blood-orange, deep amber hue with minimal frothing. Assertive aroma replete with notes of sour pear and apricot. Full-bodied mouthfeel with a tart, sour finish. Burst-in-your mouth taste exploding with a cornucopia of wild ale flavors ranging from Granny Smith apples to plum wine. Awesome, authentic example of the style. High marks all around.
Sep 23, 2020
5/5 rDev +15.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Four-pack copped from Bottle King in Livingston. Pours a blood-orange, deep amber hue with minimal frothing. Assertive aroma replete with notes of sour pear and apricot. Full-bodied mouthfeel with a tart, sour finish. Burst-in-your mouth taste exploding with a cornucopia of wild ale flavors ranging from Granny Smith apples to plum wine. Awesome, authentic example of the style. High marks all around.
Sep 23, 2020
puck1225 from Texas
4.44/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Rich flavorful beer! Excellent. Celebrating a new car purchase!
Poured from a bottle into a tulip glass. Deep, dark reddish brown color with excellent beige head and beautiful curtain lacing. Cherry and blackberry smell and taste. Some raspberries and lemon. Rich, smooth feel. Great beer!
Sep 06, 2020
4.44/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Rich flavorful beer! Excellent. Celebrating a new car purchase!
Poured from a bottle into a tulip glass. Deep, dark reddish brown color with excellent beige head and beautiful curtain lacing. Cherry and blackberry smell and taste. Some raspberries and lemon. Rich, smooth feel. Great beer!
Sep 06, 2020
rex_4539 from Greece
4.35/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Deep red color, minimal head and lacing, no visible carbonation.
S: Sour, cherries.
T: Sour, cherries. Very good!
F: Medium bodied, tons of flavor.
O: Amazing Flanders Red Ale. More oxydiized than Alexander but equally excellent.
Jul 31, 2020
4.35/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Deep red color, minimal head and lacing, no visible carbonation.
S: Sour, cherries.
T: Sour, cherries. Very good!
F: Medium bodied, tons of flavor.
O: Amazing Flanders Red Ale. More oxydiized than Alexander but equally excellent.
Jul 31, 2020
DrDemento456 from Pennsylvania
4.47/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Snagged a bottle for about five bucks into a pint glass. Smells of red wine vinegar and nice oak wood fodders. taste is very refined you do get the sour vinegar note but it is smooth out very well with a nice wine barrel Woody flavor. Body is snappy and crisp easy to finish overall I would recommend this beer it's well worth the price of admission.
Jul 29, 2020
4.47/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Snagged a bottle for about five bucks into a pint glass. Smells of red wine vinegar and nice oak wood fodders. taste is very refined you do get the sour vinegar note but it is smooth out very well with a nice wine barrel Woody flavor. Body is snappy and crisp easy to finish overall I would recommend this beer it's well worth the price of admission.
Jul 29, 2020
CaptainHate from Ohio
4.24/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
8/31/2018 750 ml bottle poured into a DFH tulip. The cork released easily but without as much pressure as I expected. As a brief aside, I stored this at my cellar fridge temperature of 55 which is warmer than the recommended temperature of 6-8 celsius on the bottle; I put the bottle in the regular fridge to cool it down more for the following pour and will report any significant changes if any. A small quickly disappearing head over a reddish mahogany body. Smell is intriguingly sweetly sour with hints of berries. Taste is very tart with the sweetness not being as prominent as I was expecting; maybe I need a fresh bottle to experience that to the max. Not tasting much oak either; maybe further aging brings that out. Still the taste was quite appropriate after a hot summer day. Likewise the zesty feel. This was a good initial experience.
Edit: the second pour at the suggested serving temperature (or closer to it) muted the sourness and accentuated the sweetness more. I'm not going to change the ratings because while the experience is different the quality level stays constant.
Jul 26, 2020
4.24/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
8/31/2018 750 ml bottle poured into a DFH tulip. The cork released easily but without as much pressure as I expected. As a brief aside, I stored this at my cellar fridge temperature of 55 which is warmer than the recommended temperature of 6-8 celsius on the bottle; I put the bottle in the regular fridge to cool it down more for the following pour and will report any significant changes if any. A small quickly disappearing head over a reddish mahogany body. Smell is intriguingly sweetly sour with hints of berries. Taste is very tart with the sweetness not being as prominent as I was expecting; maybe I need a fresh bottle to experience that to the max. Not tasting much oak either; maybe further aging brings that out. Still the taste was quite appropriate after a hot summer day. Likewise the zesty feel. This was a good initial experience.
Edit: the second pour at the suggested serving temperature (or closer to it) muted the sourness and accentuated the sweetness more. I'm not going to change the ratings because while the experience is different the quality level stays constant.
Jul 26, 2020
Rug from Massachusetts
4.39/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Having myself a nice little vertical with a 2014 and 2019, taking the best ratings of each
2014 pours a murky brown with a finger of tannish head, nice lacing
2019 has more of a red glow and is more translucent with the same head just glowing beautifully, not as much lacing
2014 has strong vinegar in the nose, some barrel presence, a mild malt with red berries and brett funk
2019 is pretty similar in aroma, though I get more fruit forward characters
2014 is a more mellow tart bite, has matured nicely, the vinegar is a bit stronger as the nose would suggest, but it offers a nice balance between oak and funk
2019 is a little less funky and has more sourness, more berries and citrus with still a nice sweet backbone of malt and wood, a real wine like note here
2014 doesn't have too much carbonation and finishes a bit slick with a light medium body
2019 has a bit more carbonation and thus is more drying, but not by much
An honor to try this one, and both vintages had their strong suits, but overall I prefer this fresh(ish)...It still has over a year on it. For $5 a bottle this was an absolute steal. Will definitely be revisiting this and breaking it out for special occasions, just incredible
Apr 18, 2020
4.39/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Having myself a nice little vertical with a 2014 and 2019, taking the best ratings of each
2014 pours a murky brown with a finger of tannish head, nice lacing
2019 has more of a red glow and is more translucent with the same head just glowing beautifully, not as much lacing
2014 has strong vinegar in the nose, some barrel presence, a mild malt with red berries and brett funk
2019 is pretty similar in aroma, though I get more fruit forward characters
2014 is a more mellow tart bite, has matured nicely, the vinegar is a bit stronger as the nose would suggest, but it offers a nice balance between oak and funk
2019 is a little less funky and has more sourness, more berries and citrus with still a nice sweet backbone of malt and wood, a real wine like note here
2014 doesn't have too much carbonation and finishes a bit slick with a light medium body
2019 has a bit more carbonation and thus is more drying, but not by much
An honor to try this one, and both vintages had their strong suits, but overall I prefer this fresh(ish)...It still has over a year on it. For $5 a bottle this was an absolute steal. Will definitely be revisiting this and breaking it out for special occasions, just incredible
Apr 18, 2020
Spike from England
4.03/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
330ml bottle.
L: Clear, russet colour with a thin head that reduces quickly but leaves lots of lacing.
S: Highest quality red wine vinegar.
T: Sour! but not sharp. Finish is smooth & semi-sweet.
F: Medium body. Tongue & mouth become increasingly dry. Feels rich & heavy by the end.
O: A finely balanced sour ale aged in oak. Impossible to avoid the (fine) red wine vinegar comparison.
Apr 10, 2020
4.03/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
330ml bottle.
L: Clear, russet colour with a thin head that reduces quickly but leaves lots of lacing.
S: Highest quality red wine vinegar.
T: Sour! but not sharp. Finish is smooth & semi-sweet.
F: Medium body. Tongue & mouth become increasingly dry. Feels rich & heavy by the end.
O: A finely balanced sour ale aged in oak. Impossible to avoid the (fine) red wine vinegar comparison.
Apr 10, 2020
gr0g from New Jersey
4.06/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
"Best by" date shown as "01/04/2021," and I can't read the production date on the bottom. Based on some light research, this was likely bottled two years before the best by date, so 01/04/2019. Reddish brown appearance, quickly dissipating head. Tart, fruity aroma with a faint hint of apple cider vinegar. A bit vinous even. Some lacto sourness hits the palate first, followed by bready malt. Suggestions of tart cherry and stonefruit. No vinegar notes to report. I found this to be not bracingly sour, and it had great depth of aroma.
Mar 15, 2020
4.06/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
"Best by" date shown as "01/04/2021," and I can't read the production date on the bottom. Based on some light research, this was likely bottled two years before the best by date, so 01/04/2019. Reddish brown appearance, quickly dissipating head. Tart, fruity aroma with a faint hint of apple cider vinegar. A bit vinous even. Some lacto sourness hits the palate first, followed by bready malt. Suggestions of tart cherry and stonefruit. No vinegar notes to report. I found this to be not bracingly sour, and it had great depth of aroma.
Mar 15, 2020
LampertLand from Canada (BC)
4.03/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Rodenbach 'Grand Cru' @ 6.0% , served from a 330 ml bottle
A-pour is amber from bottle to glass with a minimal off-white head leaving a lacing ring along the chalice
S-oak BA (foeder)
T-tart & smooth ,
MF-mild carbonation , big medium body
Ov-just another world class beer
prost LampertLand
Mar 15, 2020
4.03/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Rodenbach 'Grand Cru' @ 6.0% , served from a 330 ml bottle
A-pour is amber from bottle to glass with a minimal off-white head leaving a lacing ring along the chalice
S-oak BA (foeder)
T-tart & smooth ,
MF-mild carbonation , big medium body
Ov-just another world class beer
prost LampertLand
Mar 15, 2020
Mugman8 from New York
3.65/5 rDev -15.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
My tour of Belgians takes a wrong turn.....Sour and tart, no head and tastes like vinegar....is this a salad dressing? This is supposed to be world-class so I guess this beer style doesn't appeal to me.
Mar 01, 2020
3.65/5 rDev -15.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
My tour of Belgians takes a wrong turn.....Sour and tart, no head and tastes like vinegar....is this a salad dressing? This is supposed to be world-class so I guess this beer style doesn't appeal to me.
Mar 01, 2020
Nugganooch from California
4.05/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
From the 330ml bottle with Lost Abbey stemware
Dark ruddy brown looking body with some burgundy like hues. A thin short lived tan head settles down into a few swirls in the glass. Aromas come off as a big red vinegar bomb! I get cherry, plum, grape, earthy and sweet vanilla with a mild stomach acid funk to it. Some underlying brown malt-bread like character there. The flavor is much more balanced with a very nice acidic vinegar-like quality. Apple cider and red wine mix with a touch of sour funkiness to it.
Flavor is great really. Very balanced bewteen the nice tart apple cider and not too much acidity or funk overall but has a good sour note to it. Lesser notes of brown malts, grape, cherry pie with a sugarycrust, light paint thinner - acetone. Not enough to detract here really. Good crisp carb and spritzy mouteel.
A very nice approachable sour ale
Jan 13, 2020
4.05/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
From the 330ml bottle with Lost Abbey stemware
Dark ruddy brown looking body with some burgundy like hues. A thin short lived tan head settles down into a few swirls in the glass. Aromas come off as a big red vinegar bomb! I get cherry, plum, grape, earthy and sweet vanilla with a mild stomach acid funk to it. Some underlying brown malt-bread like character there. The flavor is much more balanced with a very nice acidic vinegar-like quality. Apple cider and red wine mix with a touch of sour funkiness to it.
Flavor is great really. Very balanced bewteen the nice tart apple cider and not too much acidity or funk overall but has a good sour note to it. Lesser notes of brown malts, grape, cherry pie with a sugarycrust, light paint thinner - acetone. Not enough to detract here really. Good crisp carb and spritzy mouteel.
A very nice approachable sour ale
Jan 13, 2020
Beejay from Virginia
4.21/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: a murky brown color with a small white head, dissipating to a ring.
S: a little funk and vinegar. Earthy with a touch of sweetness in the finish. Lightly fruity in the finish.
T: tart with a touch of acid, and a lovely dark Berry flavor, with caramel sweetness and a hint earthy.
M: thin in feel with plenty of carbonation, a somewhat dry finish, and a touch of pucker.
O: overall just a damn fine brew. Interesting, complex, acidic, and sweet.
Jan 07, 2020
4.21/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: a murky brown color with a small white head, dissipating to a ring.
S: a little funk and vinegar. Earthy with a touch of sweetness in the finish. Lightly fruity in the finish.
T: tart with a touch of acid, and a lovely dark Berry flavor, with caramel sweetness and a hint earthy.
M: thin in feel with plenty of carbonation, a somewhat dry finish, and a touch of pucker.
O: overall just a damn fine brew. Interesting, complex, acidic, and sweet.
Jan 07, 2020
Brutaltruth from Ohio
4.41/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From the bottle in a snifter. This excellent Flemish brew pours a ruby
tinged brown mahogany with a nice head of off white foam that
subsides to a thick ring, thin light dusty pool, and displays some
excellent lacing. Nose of tart cherry, light oak, subtle leather, and
Belgian candy malt. Flavors hit the wow factor with sweet candy
sugar and tart cherry notes amongst oak and tannic elements
in a perfectly balanced brew. Excellent mouth feel; medium
body, light carbonation, and a tart dry yet lightly sweet
finish.
Overall, excellence from Belgium.
Dec 21, 2019
4.41/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From the bottle in a snifter. This excellent Flemish brew pours a ruby
tinged brown mahogany with a nice head of off white foam that
subsides to a thick ring, thin light dusty pool, and displays some
excellent lacing. Nose of tart cherry, light oak, subtle leather, and
Belgian candy malt. Flavors hit the wow factor with sweet candy
sugar and tart cherry notes amongst oak and tannic elements
in a perfectly balanced brew. Excellent mouth feel; medium
body, light carbonation, and a tart dry yet lightly sweet
finish.
Overall, excellence from Belgium.
Dec 21, 2019
elnachooo from Spain
3.75/5 rDev -13.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Cerveza de color marrón, con una cabeza cabeza espumosa. Aroma y cuerpo medio. Aromas frutales y a caramelo. En boca destaca su dulzura perfectamente equilibrada.
Nov 10, 2019
3.75/5 rDev -13.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Cerveza de color marrón, con una cabeza cabeza espumosa. Aroma y cuerpo medio. Aromas frutales y a caramelo. En boca destaca su dulzura perfectamente equilibrada.
Nov 10, 2019
vinicole from England
4.25/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Deep auburn with a thin, dense and tan head.
Immediate sour aroma. Dark earthy fruits and composting apples.
Tastes as it smells. Woodland berries. Light maraschino cherries noted. Tannic finish.
Light effervescent feel.
An excellent representation of the style but not to my taste.
Nov 02, 2019
4.25/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Deep auburn with a thin, dense and tan head.
Immediate sour aroma. Dark earthy fruits and composting apples.
Tastes as it smells. Woodland berries. Light maraschino cherries noted. Tannic finish.
Light effervescent feel.
An excellent representation of the style but not to my taste.
Nov 02, 2019
marcbosch from Netherlands
4.46/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
L: Reddish-brown, mahogany. Fizzy, quickly disappearing head.
S: Vinous, fruity, with a bit of malt and wood as a background.
T: Following the nose. Wine, blackcurrant, a bit of vanilla and wood, some candi sugar, malty background.
F: Medium-high, prickly carbonation, medium body. Somewhat astringent/tannic.
O: Complex beer. Very, very enjoyable.
Nov 01, 2019
4.46/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
L: Reddish-brown, mahogany. Fizzy, quickly disappearing head.
S: Vinous, fruity, with a bit of malt and wood as a background.
T: Following the nose. Wine, blackcurrant, a bit of vanilla and wood, some candi sugar, malty background.
F: Medium-high, prickly carbonation, medium body. Somewhat astringent/tannic.
O: Complex beer. Very, very enjoyable.
Nov 01, 2019
GuyFawkes from Illinois
3.84/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Bottled 8/8/17; drank 7/31/19 @ the Yarchives.
Semi-opaque red/orange rust appearance.
An even pour yielded a small, noisy khaki head; minimal lace.
Tart cherry & mild vinegar notes in the nose.
Medium mouthfeel.
Luden's cough drop & mild vinegar flavors up front; tart cherry notes on the finish.
An odd amalgam but mildly enjoyable. Not one I'll rush back too, however...
Aug 01, 2019
3.84/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Bottled 8/8/17; drank 7/31/19 @ the Yarchives.
Semi-opaque red/orange rust appearance.
An even pour yielded a small, noisy khaki head; minimal lace.
Tart cherry & mild vinegar notes in the nose.
Medium mouthfeel.
Luden's cough drop & mild vinegar flavors up front; tart cherry notes on the finish.
An odd amalgam but mildly enjoyable. Not one I'll rush back too, however...
Aug 01, 2019
Rodenbach Grand Cru from Brouwerij Rodenbach N.V.
Beer rating:
96 out of
100 with
4259 ratings
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