Rodenbach Grand Cru

Brewed by Brouwerij Rodenbach (Palm)
Style: Sour Ale
Roeselare, Belgium

Een zuurzoet wijnaroma. De zuurzoete smaak met lichte hout en azijnzuursmaak. Een lichte toets van kriek en caramel. Een van de sterkhouders van onze Belgische biercultuur

Bottled, dark red color, no head practically.. I knew this is not my type of beer since I prefer Quads, but I knew I’d enjoy this in a different perspective, sour, cherry flavors, but the caramel malt and the complexity of this beer is what helped me to enjoy this beer thoroughly. Great beer even if it isn’t your type... :)

On tap at Busters on 28th in Minneapolis. I wanted to try this before all of it is gone (Rodenbach is no longer distributing in the states). Brown amber pour with a smallish head. Aromas of vinegar, berries, and apple. Assertive sourness, but not extreme. Initially, the vinegar flavor hits, but then is followed by a high level of fruitiness and oak, which I thouroughly enjoyed. One of these was plenty enough for my palate. I feel like I’m starting to get sours. This might be my favorite yet.

Bottled. A nice step up from the Rodenbach Classic, pretty much your standard oak-aged Flanders ale. Dark bronze color, lots of little bubbles, and a good strength aroma with notes of lactic / balsamic tones, wet earth and wood. Oak is more noticeable here, with undertones of cherry and caramel malt. Stingy, sour, tickling finish.

Sampled on tap at Hamilton’s. Clear amber. Huge sweet and sour vinegar aroma, with a hint of berries. Intense sweet and sharp vinegary taste, reminds me of a good balsamic or cider vinegar. Lingering sourness. Intense and quite tasty.

750 - Pours a dark red with a small ring of an off-white head. The nose is assertively sour with rich berries and vinous character. A strong resemblence to grapes is here. Sourness carries into the flavor well with definite malt vinegar going on. A complex, sweet, juicy, vinous finish makes things savory and semi-sweet. I get a bit of cherries, grape, cheese, and some wool. This is a sour ale which is very tasteful, semi-dry, very well balanced, and accessible for the style. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

The aroma of this beer is very inviting. Sour, with a hint of berries, a lot like the Rodenbach Classic. However, this beer is darker, when held up to the light, it gives off a peachy red. The flavor is magnificent, much more sour than the Classic. A sip will make you pucker up with joy as the strong, yet gentle sour flavor takes you by storm. This beer has notes of cherry and more of a juicy peach or apricot flavor to it, without as much of the earthy berry flavor of the Classic. I would also describe it as much more refreshing.

750ML bottle. Nice think head which diminishes rather quickly. Colour of ale is deep red, almost mahogany. Strong vinegar and sweet to sour notes in the aroma. Initial taste is very sour but quickly even out to a very nice, almost dry finish. Wonderfully full bodied!