Rodenbach

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

Serve in Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler

750ml bottle. I was struck by how dark this sour ale was. Looked great. Oddly, this brew had an uncanny acidity to it as if i just threw up not long before. sounds bad, but strangely it wasn’t offensive although it sounds gross. really good overall. Apple cider with the Belgian brew way.

cute little 8.45 oz. bottle labeled bb. 4-24-08 poured into a snifter has a cider like amber color and little head or carbonation present. aroma has sour cherry, vinegar, fermented fruit, and alcohol. flavor is in line with the aroma and does have a strange vinegar and sour combination. as it was consumed there were bits of port, fruits, oak, and yeast. finish has a drying in the center of the tongue and watering at the sides. initially i thought this is not so hot but it did grow on me to a level of being drinkable.

Bottle 2001 vintage (labeled Belgian Red) poured a clearreddish brown with a small lasting amber head. Aromas of sour cherries,m vinegar, carmel and oak. Palate wass light bodied crisp and slightly tart. Flavors of sour fruittiness, light vinegar, light carmel and a hint of oak with a crisp lingering tart finish.
This beer aged amazingly well! (I forgot it was in my cellar.)

(Dégusté avec french tickler) Biere rousse ambré avec un léger collet. Arome de vinaigre balsamic, sucre style gueuze, pomme verte, moutarde de meaux. Saveur légerement sucré (Surette), rubarbe et gout de punch aux fruits. Manque un peu de complexité.

I wanted to try a new style, read good things about Flemish Sour beers so gave this a try based on a recommendation. I was however quite skeptical after reading reviews. Vinegar? That doesn’t sound appealing at all. So the beer pours a murky brown color with a small head. It does indeed smell and taste quite a bit like vinegar. The flavor is dark fruits with some cherry and vinegar. It is a little sour but not as sour as I was expecting. There is a winey presence about it. The finish and aftertaste is a bit weird and bland. Overall it’s not horrible and easier drinking than I feared but I don’t really like it. The first sip I had was a little gross but it grew a little on me. Still, I would have been perfectly happy with a small 12 ounce sample. As is I had a big bottle and halfway through I didn’t even want to finish it. Of course I did finish it and honestly it was better as it warmed a bit. If I ever have it again I’ll note to let it warm a little.

Lightly hazy dark red poor, small light brown head. Aromas of blasamic and red wine vinegar, pommegranite, and mustard seeds. Sweet and sour hits you right off the bat but quickly fades away. Nice sweet rhubarb taste but flavors are somewhat lacking. Low carbonation and light bodied.

A deep, clear ruby body beneath a frothy, rocky tan head. Smells very oaky, with acidic, spicy, cherry, berry, and, unfortunately, a little vinegar. Super strong brett/wild yeast aroma. The complexity of flavors is incredible. Cherry, plum, fig, brett, oak, chocolate, sourdough bread, acidic, and sweet notes bombard the taste buds. The finish is long, sour, strong, abrasive, and I love it. One of the most (if not the most) classic Belgian sour ales. I know it’s not the same since Palm bought it out, but it’s still a tasty, tasty brew, and one of my all time favorites.

[bottle] Pours a great deep red. Nose of tart fruits and sour funk. Taste is sour apples and cherries. Not as woody or smooth as the grand cru but very tasty regardless.