Ichtegems Grand Cru

Brewed by Brouwerij Strubbe
Style: Sour Ale
Ichtegem, Belgium

Tap, at ZBF 2006. Copper bronze, thin shortlived white head and moderate condition. Slightly fruity initially in the nose with some metallic tartness and a caramel and brown sugar sweetness, more metallic notes in the mouth with some fruity sweetness and notes of burnt toffee, gently tart and somewhat nondescript finish

Pretty color, really catches the red from a light source. The aroma is really yeasty with a sour smell that smacks the hell out of you. Initially the flavor is similar to some other sours I’ve had, but maybe a little too thin and oaky. The lingering soapy aftertaste absolutely ruins this beer for me. I tried a sip straight from the bottle to make sure it wasn’t my glass. Its like Dawn in a cup. Bleah!

Bottle at home. Oaky brown colour. Tall sugary head. Sour and tangy nose. Taste of citrus, cherries and other fruits. Starts mildly sour and ends much more so. Peaking in the finish. Smooth and clean.

From bottle at Zeno’s. Light sour ale aroma, with oaken tang and fruity malt character. Nice sour undertones, with some lactic character. Dark coppery amber clear with thin off-white lacing head. Medium body character with medium-heavy carbonation. Starts with typical sour ale profile. Light oaky start with lactic tang ang mild hoppy profile. Oaky sour finish and lactic tang. Finishes clean with hoppy sour tang. Nice sour ale.

11.2 oz bottle, via jbrus. Pours a dark garnet body under a very fizzy off-white head that faded to a whispy partial covering quickly. Nice tart and slightly sour nose with a hint of balsamic vinegar. Cherry skins, light oak, and dark fruits round it out. The flavor is lightly acidic with an herbal component, kinda like the aftertaste of spaghetti sauce. Just lightly sour with some oak tannins, sour cherry, and almond on the finish. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a slight stickiness and a little dryness on the finish. Overall, this was decent, kinda what I expect from these middle of the road slightly obscure Oud Bruins.

Bottled. Clear redbrown color, medium off-white head. Aroma of caramel malt, some soft cherry, oak wood, bit dusty. Slight sour taste, quite malty, bit fruity. Decent.

Chestnut coloured with a nice Belgian off-white head that lasts. Toasty maltiness works hand in hand with the cherry like, yogurty lactic juicy acidity. A very authentic example. Oakiness comes through with vanilla hints while the sour level remains moderate and frankly fitting, enhancing the ensemble more than stealing the show. A very good one, though not going further than the definition of the oud bruin.

Bottle… Cloudy, dark crimson ale with orange highlights and a mid-sized, fizzy, khaki-colored head. Decent retention. Black cherry, lemon juice and sharp cheese aroma with earthy, woodsy notes as well. The flavor is sour, but not overbearingly so; sweet, but only mildly. Praline, buttered popcorn Jelly Belly® and wood. Medium-bodied and spritzy. Tart, buttered popcorn Jelly Belly® finish. Odd combos here, but tasty and appealing.