Rodenbach

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

Serve in Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler

6/10/2007 vintage. 11.2 oz bottle stamped Best By: 10.06.2010. I decided to age this beer despite the fact that it is bottle conditioned and pasteurized. Poured into an over sized wine glass at cellar temperature. A - Hazy dark brown/red body that lets very little light shine through. The head is a creamy khaki color and pretty minimal. Just some small edging and weak lacing. Tight bubbling when given a swirl. I didn’t know what to expect so I swirled and poured the last ounce into a separate glass. This was a bit hazier and had some small black chunks which sunk to the bottom. S - Sour cherries, raspberries, oak, and loads of acetic and vinegar notes. The end of the nose is strong on the wood and funky notes which totally overpower the fruit and malts. I feel like I have to cough when I take a big whiff of this. T - Light sour cherries and raspberries transition into some smooth yet tame acetic and balsamic vinegar flavors. This is followed by some oak and earthiness, which finishes with some mild caramel and bready malts. The mouth feel is really smooth and velvety, while maintaining a light to medium body. The carbonation is present but minimal. Stupidly high level of drinkability. O - The tame and subtle flavors combined with the crazy smooth body make this a really fantastic beer. The appearance and aroma were a bit of letdown, but the other qualities balance those out. I doubt aging has improved this beer, but it sure as hell can hold up to a few years of cellaring.

Delicious. Rodenbach deep mahogony color and wild aromas open a lively, complex treat. The carbonation resides quickly, but this beer is absolutely devine when sour beers are considered. By far my favorite wild ale and it’s exemplory of the flemish reds.

Tasty, if a bit underwhelming to my cranked-up-to-ten American palate. Starts modestly sweet, then develops a thick, gooey middle, but one that isn’t clingy or cloy. The caramel/candi flavors then fade into a tart, citric finish, sour and fruity yet with a woodsy undertone. The middle sweetness isn’t my favorite, but the green cherry finish makes it all worthwhile. Grows on you like a friendly anthropomorphic fungus.

Colour is mahogany red, the small head is off-white. Aroma is sour, some vinegar and a bit of basement. Taste follows the notes of the aroma. (Bottle)

33cl bottle. Dark red with a little dirty head. Driend plums and cherry. Caramel and smoky notes. Malaga ice-cream. Sip : Good carbonation and watery texture. Sweet fruity start followed by sour cherry and very little bitterness. Sour, smoky kriek.

Pours a deep red with a small off white head. Aromas of cherry, oak and pineapple. Tart cherries are the big flavor in this beer, there is a slight sourness. Mouthfeel is pleasant with some soft carbonation. Always a favorite.

250ml bottle. Pours a dark maroon with a small head. Aroma is sweet and sour woody cherries. Taste is a bit thin, watery start, slight hint of fruit, slightly sour finish. Not that impressed.

Pretty sour. Not so bad, not very good ether. Came with schrimps, which makes a nice combination.