BeerGeeks - Feb, 12’08. At the Valley Brewing Plant. A drink among friends... what a beer first up. Blind, this was a Flemish Red, old Rodenbach in style, and very much in flavour. Really really impressive stuff. This would kick most new Flemish sours into a cocked hat, probably all of them. Limited in volume, but so f’ing good... and, I was smiling like a goon when I was given this. Great woody notes, light caramel, amber red hues, and that typically light body - and the funk just so easy... the tart well incorporated. Damn it this was supposed to be my 100th beer! argh! It is that gooooood!

Wait ok check glass, yeah it still says Valley Brew even though I could swear I briefly glimpsed Rodenbach on it. I close my eyes and smell it again and I am instantly transported to pre-Palm Roselare. Wow this has a spectacular nose, crack in liquid form that could just as easily be the perfume of a bikini model. Did Steve channel the Rodenbach gods or perform some strange voodoo beer ritual over this? I am afraid to taste it because that amazing nose cannot be topped. Big yet soft yet bold and spicy with herbal fruit notes and wonderful bread and oak come thru. Oh shit my glass is almost empty but at least I saved money on that plane ticket. And it could not be named after a nicer guy, uglier than hell but a damned great guy. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Phil’s Wild Mild aka The Road Back-While taking a stroll through the fields of Flanders sipping from a Valley Brewing Chalice I could have sworn that I heard whispers telling me to take the road back, but where was it and where would it lead? As I took in the beauty of my surroundings and the amazing liquid in my glass I noticed a road to my left nestled in the trees. As I followed the winding road all of my senses alive with the sounds and sights of nature I realized that a simple journey could transcend almost any experience. When I turned the last corner a sign came into view but it was too far away to read and the sun was setting directly above it so that I could not focus directly ahead of me, I picked up my pace and noticed that I was down to my last quaff of Brew the sign was directly in front of me and I was finally able to make out what it said which was simply, Roselare. Wild Mild is a beer that pays homage to the wonderful brewing traditions from Flanders Belgium. Soft and delicate yet bold, spicy, herbal and tannic with a wonderful appetizing acidity this is a marvel of depth, complexity and balance that belies its strength, a great beer to enjoy with a good cigar or as an alternative to Red wine with dinner.

Steve just knocked this one out of the ballyard. I mean this is one friggin’ great beer. He broke this one out after a visit from Phil_L and faro, and let me tell you this is quite exquisite. I have no doubt in my mind that if this were available to more people, this would quite easily be in the top 25. It’s that good.

The aroma is huge amount of wood, soft caramel, funk, tart and balsamic-like with huge fruit notes. The flavor manages to incorporate the same aroma notes and eases into an incredible finish. This stuff just want to make you roll the liquid around on the palate to extend the pleasure of drinking. You can get lost in a beer like this. Kudos to another masterpiece by Steve.

Pours like cognac with no head and no carbonation. The nose is tart cherries and a touch of funk. It floats over your tongue like velvet. The flavor is cherry sour front, evolving to a sweet mid, that gives way in the end to a toasted nuttiness. Excellent brew!

Feb. 2008 Beergeeks tasting. Waves of Rodenbach from the old days wash over me. The smell and the taste of sour and perfect oak make this an incredible beer.