Ichtegems Grand Cru

Brewed by Brouwerij Strubbe
Style: Sour Ale
Ichtegem, Belgium

Nose of cherries, raspberries, light oak, toast and vanilla. Very light body, slightly hazy and amber in color. Definite a pucker. Pears, lemon, toffee, light oak, and strong cherry in the finish. Very dry, not so lingering though.

33 cl bottle. Clear deep mahogany, tan head that dissipates quickly. Fruity on the nose with some subtl oak that appears late. Medium body, lively effervescence that contributes to the tartness for a clean palate. Tart and acidic with some vinous qualities that help the balance. Enjoyable.

In the 330 mL bottle from HyVee CB. Very dark brown, almost black in color. The medium light beige head dies fast. Fruity raisin aroma gives rise to some sour notes. Fizzy palate with a mild sourness. There’s nothing over the top here. Finishes a bit roasted and a bit nutty. when it warms, a dry oakiness emerges big time. I think this might be a good training beer for those who don’t like sours.

750mL bottle, marked 09-2012. Pours clear reddish brown, topped with a small tan head. Aroma is fairly restrained, with sour cherry, butter, and wood. Flavor is primarily oaky and a bit acidic, with berries, butter, and citrus. Thin bodied, with a dry finish. Aroma is far more interesting than the flavor.

Bottled, 2006.
Dark red with pale brown creamy head. Vineous, fruity, acidic nose with reminiscense of cheese. Light gluey without being sweet. Pretty smooth body with light, light prickly Co2. Here are little berries, red apples, wood and bit acidity. Refreshing beer with some woody astringency. And it’s dry. Seemingly a very balanced beer that’s just solid.

(Bottle, vintage 2005) Reddish brown colour with frothy, beige head. Fruity, slightly acetic nose with notes of vinegar, cherries, oak wood and leather. Fruity, sourish taste with cherries, cowberries, red apples, vinegar and a touch of oak. Medium body, smooth mouthfeel. Not overly sour and not overly sweet. Very well balanced. Possibly not the most complex of sour ales, but really tasty and balanced. Very enjoyable.

Bottle, BB 08/2010. Poured clean ruddy brown with a spotty dusting of off-white head. The aroma picked up significant doses of sour cherry mash and oak, with what seemed like a crisp bourbon presence around.. smelled dry and nicely balanced. The flavor had a touch of dry caramel and chocolate at the core surrounded by a lot of the same character as the nose (cherries, oak, and vanilla.. and I swear there was some crisp bourbon at the edges).. finished moderately sour with spicy yeast, bourbon, and oak. Medium-bodied and dry on the palate with a decent flow to it.. overall an enjoyable drink.

Dark brown in color with a decent sized off-white head. Aroma is of hay and mint with some sour notes. Flavor is tart with oak and light hop flavors. Very dry.