Rodenbach

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

Serve in Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler

I had one of these a few years back and feel like that one was much more sour. The effervesence on this beer is great, and i was lucky enough to score a case of the 750’s at cost.

Actually very good, I thought this was going to be an overrated beer with not much to say but had some character and fine features. It was refreshing but not annoying after several zips.

Dejlig syrlig rugbrød, træ, fad, rug, kort skum, mørk rødlig der ser flot ud. selv om den er lidt vandet der aligevel har en god fylde.

Tasted from a 750mL bottle at Lush West Town. Pours clear, but fairly dark amber with a thick fluffy off-white head that slowly recedes to leave thick lace. The nose is caramel with tart red fruits and some funky apple cider vinegar aromas. The flavor is corn flakes malt with some caramel, vanilla oak, tart red berry fruits, and some of that apple cider vinegar as well. The body is light with lively carbonation and a long fruity and vinegar finish.

UPDATED: NOV 23, 2011 Bottle poured into a tulip glass. The aromas are of sour apples and cherries with some wood. It pours a nice brown color with head that quickly disappears. Taste is more subtle than the aroma, but definte acidic sourness with oaky notes. Palate is medium body and carbonation. The overall impression is this is a classic Belgian sour. Very good when you are in the mood for one.

Deep brown, yellow at the edges, thin, vanishing, light-brown head. Smells of light caramel with acetic-dominated sourness. Flavor is malt/caramel, slight dark toffee overtones, and the ever-present acetic-dominated tartness, now beginning to border on spoiled apples. Overall good, but the aroma actually had me more excited than the flavor merited.

My first beer of this style and I’m hooked. Pours a velvety white head. Very nice crisp refreshing taste with slightly sour/tart rasberryish finish.

Pours out a nice burnt umber color with a nice off-white head that seems to sink into the glass. The smell is tart and harsh, like balsamic vinegar, and may be a little off-putting, but at least you know it won’t taste like water. The mouthfeel is very interesting; though not weak or thin, this beer tingles your tongue like a soda with very tiny bubbles. I’ve had vinous, sour beers before and I recall them being overpowering and disgusting; this one, on the other hand, changed my mind about the type due to its perfectly blended balance of flavors. You can taste all the notes rather than being slammed with ugly aftertastes or losing the softer hints. I taste sourdough, wine, ginger, oak, leather, resin, black cherry, green apple... I’m not usually one for a sour, tart flavor, but Rodenbach is perfectly nuanced to give the tongue a little kick without aiming for the sensitive parts. Tantalizing and teasing, Rodenbach is a good choice even for those who would normally avoid a sour ale. Very impressive.