Rodenbach Grand Cru

bottle. pours a clear reddish brown with a thick off-white head that starts to fade quickly but slows down and fluffs up, leaving a good amount of lacing as it hangs around. fantastic smell of sour grapes, balsamic vinegar, some sour cherries, and some wood. strong oaky flavor with sour cherries dominating a solid fruity ester profile, maybe a bit of lemon and sour apple as well. the finish is unlike anything i’ve had: intense, biting sour (in a good way), with a touch of sweetness backing it up, leaving a sort of grape preserves flavor lingering in your puckering mouth. lots of carbonation, and a medium body, with a mouthfeel that disappears quickly as the acidic sourness thickens in your mouth what would be a coating, astringent beer and turns it into something else entirely. i’ve never had anything this sour that wasn’t a candy. a damned interesting beer that i have to be in the mood for, but when i am, it has no replacement.

The aroma is great. Very much like a fine wine. Flavor is sour at first then fruity and slightly sweet. Crisp and clean finish. Very good.

On tap at Buster’s in Minneapolis. Served in snifter. Beautiful deep brown body with reddish hue. Strong sour, almost vinegar aroma with hint of fruit. Taste is also sour with oak and berry flavors presented near the back of the palate. Tart and light fruity acid finish. The more subtle oak and berry flavors become more prominent as the beer warms.

bottle from mj. thanks man. this was one of those that i really wanted to say more about, maybe go off on a rambling tangent, but in the end i didn’t here is what i put down in my notes. reddish brown, grey head, sour dusty nose with a bit of fruitiness. enjoyable sour flavor. blueberry, strawberry?? finishes incredibly dry. really hard to describe except to say, i like it. 4 6 8 5 16

Very nice sipping beer. A strong aroma leads to a sour, black cherry flavoring. A tartness that is not overbearing makes this ale a nice touch for special occasions.

Bottle. Dark brown and clear. Small head but very bubbly in beer itself. Smells quite sour. Very sour flavor. Frankly tastes like an infected beer to me. Don’t like it.

From bottle 12 oz : Pours a highly carbonated dark brown with some reddish highlights. Head is about a half finger of very fizzy carbonated white head, that dies quick and leaves a fizzy ring and lacing. Aroma is alot of vinegar, some sour fruits, and cherry, but it is all pretty faint. Taste is very carbonated up front, very much like a grape soda. Grape, some cherrys, and it ends very tart and sour. Light body up front, then finishs very thick. It really isnt bad, its just like nothing i have had before, ive had another sour, but nothing like this. VERY carbonated.

Bottle poured a deep, dark amber color. Light body, early malty sweetness. Incredible blend of rich maltiness and slightly tart character. Nice dry balance, slight cherry-like notes. Very well done.