-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more.
— Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Monk's Café Flemish Sour Ale
Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.


- From:
- Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
- Belgium
- Style:
- Flanders Oud Bruin
Ranked #48 - ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #18,161 - Avg:
- 3.86 | pDev: 13.21%
- Reviews:
- 1,190
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jul 30, 2023
- Added:
- Jun 19, 2003
- Wants:
- 98
- Gots:
- 485
Brewed for Monk's Café in Philadelphia, but also available for retail purchase elsewhere. Oud Bruin in style; a traditional blend of young and old beers.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by BJB13 from Maryland
4.05/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.05/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
330ml bottle poured into a Tulip.
L: Clear, ruby hued dark brown, 2 inch off-white pink-ish head, thick persistent foam, decent lace.
S: Full nose, lactic and sour, vinous aroma, oak wine cask, brown sugar malty aroma takes over.
T: Tart, a bit of lactic (berry) sweetness and dark sugary malts but mostly dry.
F: Medium-light body, low-ish carbonation, clean feel.
O: Easy drinking for a sour (for me), not overly sour or tart, nice enjoyable sipper.
Jul 30, 2023L: Clear, ruby hued dark brown, 2 inch off-white pink-ish head, thick persistent foam, decent lace.
S: Full nose, lactic and sour, vinous aroma, oak wine cask, brown sugar malty aroma takes over.
T: Tart, a bit of lactic (berry) sweetness and dark sugary malts but mostly dry.
F: Medium-light body, low-ish carbonation, clean feel.
O: Easy drinking for a sour (for me), not overly sour or tart, nice enjoyable sipper.
Reviewed by Iamaskier from Idaho
4.04/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
L: Dark reddish brown body, thin head with a bit of lacing.
S: Soft, tart, fragrant. Strawberry, cherry, honey, oak, a few chocolatey notes.
T: Upfront tart cherry and raspberry, quickly settling into sweet grape jam notes, honey, a faint bit of vinegar, and finishing with hints of chocolate and roasted malt.
F: Initially a bit sharp and slightly acidic, smooths out quickly, moderate carbonation.
O: Fairly sweet, enjoyable combination of flavors, a bit like a tart jam on toast.
Mar 28, 2023S: Soft, tart, fragrant. Strawberry, cherry, honey, oak, a few chocolatey notes.
T: Upfront tart cherry and raspberry, quickly settling into sweet grape jam notes, honey, a faint bit of vinegar, and finishing with hints of chocolate and roasted malt.
F: Initially a bit sharp and slightly acidic, smooths out quickly, moderate carbonation.
O: Fairly sweet, enjoyable combination of flavors, a bit like a tart jam on toast.
Rated by rclangk from West Virginia
3.87/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.87/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
9/2023 BOM
Dec 22, 2022Reviewed by flyingpig from Scotland
3.27/5 rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.27/5 rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
330ml bottle from Gulden Draak Bierhaus, Porto (€5.30):
Dark cherry fed with a thin, soapy surface lacing that has a little build up stuck to the sides too & looks quite still. The nose is surprisingly light with some background malts but very little sourness other than a tiny hint of tart at the end. The taste is thankfully stronger, some nice cherry & dark berries with a little tart following on behind then a faint sweetness to close. The body is about medium & it's a very balanced, easy going beer with soft carbonation; not what I'd expected but a nice surprise bar the non-existent nose.
Dec 01, 2022Dark cherry fed with a thin, soapy surface lacing that has a little build up stuck to the sides too & looks quite still. The nose is surprisingly light with some background malts but very little sourness other than a tiny hint of tart at the end. The taste is thankfully stronger, some nice cherry & dark berries with a little tart following on behind then a faint sweetness to close. The body is about medium & it's a very balanced, easy going beer with soft carbonation; not what I'd expected but a nice surprise bar the non-existent nose.
Reviewed by jkblr from Indiana
3.84/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.84/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
11.2oz can stamped L8155 10:13 (over 4 years old?) poured into a tulip glass at fridge temp 5.5% ABV. The beer pours medium brown in color with ruby highlights and light brown head. The head recedes to a pencil thin ring and scattered tiny bubbles. The aroma is tart red wine and nondescript malt. The taste is tart & sweet malt with notes of brown sugar, red berries, red wine and rustic, grainy bread. Negligible bitterness. The mouthfeel is thin to medium bodied with average carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, good for what it is, just not my style.
Aug 28, 2022Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts
3.84/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.84/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Oh man, I haven't had an Oud Bruin in a minute. It's a very uncommon style. Actually, I believe the last one I had was this at Monk's itself when I visited Philly back in March, but did not review it at the time. Let's revisit the beer specifically brewed for this famous taproom
Pours a mostly opaque reddish brown with a finger of tan head that fades to a ring and leaves minimal lacing
The nose is pretty vinous, but leans on a significant malt backbone. I'm picking up on aromas of red wine vinegar, tart red grape, black cherry, caramel malt, raisin, and light brown sugar
It loses a bit of its punch in taste, but it's certainly still enjoyable. On the front end of the sip I'm tasting black cherry, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, brown bread, light balsamic, and plum. The swallow brings notes of black cherry, apple cider, brown bread, caramel malt, red grape, and light plum
A light medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a tangy beer. Finishes slightly sticky but the tartness dries it out over time
This isn't great, but it's perfectly serviceable for what it is. It definitely drinks easy
Aug 14, 2022Pours a mostly opaque reddish brown with a finger of tan head that fades to a ring and leaves minimal lacing
The nose is pretty vinous, but leans on a significant malt backbone. I'm picking up on aromas of red wine vinegar, tart red grape, black cherry, caramel malt, raisin, and light brown sugar
It loses a bit of its punch in taste, but it's certainly still enjoyable. On the front end of the sip I'm tasting black cherry, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, brown bread, light balsamic, and plum. The swallow brings notes of black cherry, apple cider, brown bread, caramel malt, red grape, and light plum
A light medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a tangy beer. Finishes slightly sticky but the tartness dries it out over time
This isn't great, but it's perfectly serviceable for what it is. It definitely drinks easy
Rated by Weisenbeer from Ohio
4.22/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.22/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Had this on draft..... Non-existent nose but it's a delicious punch when consumed... How very interesting, glad I tried!
May 25, 2022Reviewed by puck1225 from Texas
4.21/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I had this beer from tap at our local World of Beer.
Poured into a tall tumbler with Monk’s Cafe logo. This is a beautiful beer. Deep reddish mahogany with excellent beige head and wonderful curtain lacing. Smell and taste of sweet hard apple cider. Dark cherries and strawberries, also spicy red wine like merlot. Taste becomes more fruity with warming, with a bit of background funk becoming evident. The feel is clean and refreshing. Very nice beer that I would happily have again.
May 21, 2022Poured into a tall tumbler with Monk’s Cafe logo. This is a beautiful beer. Deep reddish mahogany with excellent beige head and wonderful curtain lacing. Smell and taste of sweet hard apple cider. Dark cherries and strawberries, also spicy red wine like merlot. Taste becomes more fruity with warming, with a bit of background funk becoming evident. The feel is clean and refreshing. Very nice beer that I would happily have again.
Reviewed by maddogruss from New Jersey
3.35/5 rDev -13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.35/5 rDev -13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Poured this from a bottle.
A: pours ruby red body with small head with minimal retention and lacing.
S: very sour smell; some sweetness, but not much
T: slightly sour; some grapefruit notes; nothing too crazy, a little watered down sour taste
M: a little thin and medium-bodied and fairly decent
D: nice feel and taste combo; not that sour for a Flemish
May 09, 2022A: pours ruby red body with small head with minimal retention and lacing.
S: very sour smell; some sweetness, but not much
T: slightly sour; some grapefruit notes; nothing too crazy, a little watered down sour taste
M: a little thin and medium-bodied and fairly decent
D: nice feel and taste combo; not that sour for a Flemish
Rated by KT3418 from Colorado
4/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I found this pretty enjoyable, tasted like a sour prune. Definitely a more unique experience to me. Would recommend to belgain drinkers
Apr 26, 2022Reviewed by UrbanCaveman from Ohio
4.24/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle, poured into a tulip t ~40 degrees F.
L: Pours a clear deep mahogany-cherrywood red-brown, and forms a finger or so of short-lived fizzy tan head.
S: Acetic and balsamic, with some rich stone fruit notes beneath. Plums, cherries, some notes of caramel.
T: Interestingly sweet and tart at the same time, with a caramel, plum, and cherry sweetness mingling with balsamic vinegar sour notes. Some notes like a jammy red wine, and a soft woody character.
F: Medium and smooth.
O: A tasty oud bruin.
Feb 02, 2022L: Pours a clear deep mahogany-cherrywood red-brown, and forms a finger or so of short-lived fizzy tan head.
S: Acetic and balsamic, with some rich stone fruit notes beneath. Plums, cherries, some notes of caramel.
T: Interestingly sweet and tart at the same time, with a caramel, plum, and cherry sweetness mingling with balsamic vinegar sour notes. Some notes like a jammy red wine, and a soft woody character.
F: Medium and smooth.
O: A tasty oud bruin.
Monk's Café Flemish Sour Ale from Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
3086 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!