Monk's Café Flemish Sour Ale
Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.

11.2 oz. bottle poured into tulip
(19 AL 12:44 printed on back label)

L: red/amber ... dark red, not 100% clear but nice clarity at bottom of glass and looks like it will clear up; pretty thick 1-inch head of beige/tan foam that sticks a little; keeps a fantastic collar of thick bubbly foam with a good skin across most of the surface; some cool lacing on the drinking side of the glass (typically it shows up on the opposite side ... again very cool).

S: rasberry, tart rasberry, some sweetness in it; malt ... there's a vienna-like malt to it or a bread malt note that's mixing with the tartness ... definitely different ... almost like the malty note under the hop bitterness in Anchor Steam; slight vinegar

T: amazing sweet/sour balance with tart rasberries/strawberries, dried apricots, toasted dried cranberries, lemon juice ... at times, tastes a little like cherry pie filling, just not nearly that sweet; tartness is always present

F: perfect ... fully carbonated midweight

O: a really cool mix of sour and sweet that's very accessible ... the first sips are a bit weird because there clearly seems to be some malt flavor mixing with the tart notes, which is atypical of most beers on the sour side of things. but i love it. it's refreshing, almost like a palate cleanser after so many hoppy IPAs and stouts. the little bit of malt in this one also seems to fit the cooler weathers -- perhaps a beer here that fits all seasons? hardcore sour fans would find this one too sweet.

*archived rating*

 

330ml bottle served cool into a tulip.
Dark brown in color. Finger plus of light tan head. Great retention.

Smell - A bit tart with a huge grainy nose. Hint of brown sugar and marshmallow as well.

Taste - Lightly sweet, tons of grain, a hint of brown sugar and marshmallow, with a tart undertone. Wonderfully complex. Some berries mixed in.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied, soft almost puffy texture. Drinks like a dream.

Overall - A surprise and one of the best brew's of the mixed pack. Will gladly look out for this if it ever appears as a standalone beer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best part of this sour is that you can really taste the grain. It is sour, but in an incredibly finessed manor. The lactic sweetness comes out as berry tartness. This is delicious.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.