Flemish Red (F.red)
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

 

 

 

 

i liked this one quite a lot, a different take on the style. almost none of the vinegar side sour in it, much more funk than anything else, but its also thick and sort of sweet, with a curious finish. murky brick red in color with a nice off white head, it looks the part for sure. the nose on it has a little pucker, but more woody weirdness than acidity. the flavor is complex, showing the best of the red malts, the wood barrels, and dried fruit notes ranging from cherry to cranberry. the finish is what makes this different i think, instead of thinning body and climaxing acidity, it sort of mellows on the sour front, moves into a sweet nutty profile, and the weight of the body sets in, its thick beer. its cool and different in the style, i get almond and even coconut in there late, and the decent carbonation barley cuts the density. a pleasing beverage, nice and low in abv, and really unique in the way it concludes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to sideshowe for sharing. 2010 vintage.

Pours a dark chestnut brown/ruby red color with plum edges and a half finger beige head that slowly settles into lasting ring.  Good retention with spotty lacing left behind.  

Sweet, slightly funky aroma with very subtle acetic vinegar, earthy oak and funky bugs.  Not solvent like however with vinous dark fruit sweetness complimenting the funk, barrel and acidity.  Hints of sour cherry, grape and plum with a decent roasted malt backbone underneath.  

On the fuller end of medium body with tart acidity and slight acetic vinegar followed by sweet vinous fruit and slightly roasted dark malt.  Some dryness, possibly from the oak, meshes with acetic acid, earthy funk and dry, bretty bugs.  The acidity and funk are countered by dark fruit sweetness and subtle malt flavors.  Hints of raspberry, sour cherry, grape and plum compliment the acetic quality while providing some needed balance to the dry oak and musty funk.  Nicely balanced with good sourness and subtle funk.  Easy to drink with little to no harshness.  I haven't had this beer fresh but it has held up nicely and is better than some of the other reviews indicate.

 

I believe this was a pour from a bottle at the Iron Hill Belgium Comes to West Chester event. Hard to be sure given the pour methods.

Pours a moderate brown color with a touch of rusty red. Decent retention and a bit of a collar as it goes down.

The nose carries smooth bread and light caramel underneath a bit of combined lactic and acetic acid. Tart of cherry there as well. Flavor is similar. It's a bit too light and lacking complexity, but is otherwise quite smooth. While the acidity is a bit underwhelming, the resulting smoothness makes it quite drinkable.

Medium body. Low-ish carbonation level. Overall, a nice attempt at the style, and quite easy to drink.