Liefmans Goudenband

Bottle (375ml). At Pub Italia, Ottawa. Poured in a Liefman’s goblet, poured almost completely flat, dark brown, with a bit of dark sediment. Aroma of roasted malt, brown sugar, sour cider, spices, quite a strong note of oily wood resin, and dark fruits (pear, apple, prune, raisin): solid nose! Taste was quite mild, dark malt, some mild hop bitterness, plenty of sour prune and grape, sour cider/wine always lurking in background - oakiness dominates in a medium-long, mild finish, which by the bottom of the glass also has a strong tart apple cider character about it. Slick but flat on my palate, nicely complex, if a little too mild-mannered for the style. I’d have it again.

Almost no head; deep red-brown colour. Deep cognac-like aroma. Powerful, sourish, sharp taste of dark wood, red wine, and cherry. Very, very good. An excellent Flemish sour ale!

Bottle. Sour cherry aroma. Dark reddish brown color with a tiny head. A sweet-sour cherry flavor primarily with spice tones (nutmeg, cinnamon). An old hay aftertaste which may not please everyone but I really enjoy. A good unique beer.

2003 Bottle. Sour aroma with some fruity esters in the nose. These appear to be cherry-like with some spices as well. A little bit similar to the Quelque Chose. Mostly transparent ruby/garnet color with a light tan head. HUGE HUGE HUGE yellowish chunks of crap are in this at the bottom. Mildly sour to start, turning fruitier with cherry hints. Doughy, bread-like finish with a mild sweetness. Pretty mellow and drinkable. A bit of funky barnyardiness in the end.

Dark ruby colour with a nice white head.The flavour is sweeter than I expected, there is a sour aftertaste. You can also taste the malt. A nice beer but, not really special. Maybe I will buy some more bottles to age in my basement. (corked bottle 75cl)

37.5 cl bottle, bbe 2014. Deep ruby dark red with a light brown hue, clear; weak, lacy head. Nicely entangled aromas of caramelised sugar, home made plum jam and a touch of alcohol. Gentle yet very expressive sour-sweetish, crispy taste with fresh red grapes and discrete but wonderful hop bitterness towards the end; a hint of alcohol here, too. Good body, satisfying carbonation.

[bottle from peckhams] Pours reddish brown with little head. Nose is fruity with some cherry skin and apple, also some leathery notes and some acidity. body is very light which conceals the alcohol content more than any liver doctor would deem safe. Excellent malty profile with a slightly tart finish.

1996 version: Brown and faded without head, but leaving liquid lace. Candy suger in aroma with light acidity, and metallic notes. In mouth, oxidized and acid, mediciny. Doesnt age well. 72428. 2004: Paler than 1996, with a nice moka big bubbled head. Candy sugar aroma, resinous and herbal. Good sweetness in mouth, with light medicinal notes. Contaminated also??? 736312