Rodenbach Grand Cru

Brewed by Brouwerij Rodenbach (Palm)
Style: Sour Red/Brown
Roeselare, Belgium

Serve in Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   update pic

750 ml bottle into tulip glass, no bottle dating. Pours hazy very dark reddish brown color with a 1 finger fairly dense light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin lace cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big tart cherry, raspberry, cranberry, green apple, red grape, balsamic vinegar, oak, red wine, clove, light leather, light funk, and yeast earthiness. Fantastic aromas with great balance and complexity of tart fruity ester notes with good barrel presence; and good strength. Taste of tart cherry, raspberry, cranberry, green apple, red grape, oak, clove, balsamic vinegar, red wine, light leather, light funk, and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate tart acidity on the finish; with lingering notes of tart dark fruits, oak, hay, balsamic vinegar, red wine, light funk, light leather, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic complexity and balance of tart fruity ester flavors with moderate oak presence; with a great malt/acidic balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a moderately slick and acidic mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with hardly any warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a fantastic Flanders Red ale! All around great balance and complexity of fruity/acidic flavors with moderate barrel presence; and very smooth to sip on with the moderate acidity. A highly enjoyable offering.

750 ml caged and corked bottle. Pours mahogany with a tan head. Aromas of dried fruit, funky yeast and malt. Medium carbonation, sour finish and very balanced.

Draft at Black Back. Pours a clean ruby brown with a finger of eggshell foam. Lots of berry and cherry of the bat with complex undertones of cider, vinegar, musty oak, cherry pit, vinous grapes and tart berry notes. Touch of honeyed malt round out the back end and mingles nicely with the old wood touches.

Taste: vanilla, cherries, sour belts. Great aftertaste, same as the one that can be found in Fentiman’s soda’s. Less sweet than Duchesse de Bourgogne, which is a good thing. Lovely, heavy, oily mouthfeel. Yum. Pair this with salty food.

Murky brown pour with a tan head. Aroma is tart with plums, granny smith apples. Great mouth feel. Flavour is slightly tart, with sweet notes apparent. I love this.

NOTE: this bottle had expiry date 1996 and made before Palm took over the brewery. Fresher version are not that good, not even close.

UPDATED: MAY 29, 2013 Smells and tastes strongly of sour cherry or raspberry. Sweetness balances out the sour. Delicious

A: Very dark, pretty much black with some red highlights and a light thin white head. S: Nothing out of the ordinary, cherries, oak, some vanilla, light vinegar, and some mud. T: Sour cherries, lime, apple juice, sweet vanilla and oak. M: Thin with medium carbonation. O: Great sour, nice balance between the sweetness and sourness.

From notes: Poured slightly hazy nut brown with a tinge of ruby red to it. Small, thin bone-colored head that was gone quickly. Lactic sour aroma, with a touch of wood and maybe tart cherry. Full body with a slight syrupy thickness. Acidic tartness in a dry finish. Lactic sour flavor with a mild woody note beneath.

Difficult to say but I do notice some complex fruity flavors. Anyway, One of my all time favorites.