Zoetzuur Flemish Reserve Ale

Brewed by De Proefbrouwerij
Style: Sour Ale
Lochristi, Belgium

Dark amber brew, with a thin layer of miniscule bubbles woven together to form the head.
A sweeter shade of horseblanket, it was caramel/candi sugar sweet and reminded me of a Faro.
Lots of caramel again in the taste, some red fruits as well, with an interesting balance of sweet and sour mnemonic of New Glarus Belgian red (which we also happened to sample out during the Montreal YEHa! party). The low carbonation brings out the sweetened malt that bursted with cherries. Very low alcohol. May be a little too cloying for some, I enjoyed it.

Pours a beautiful amber color with mahogany edges, light smoky head with decent impartial lacing. The nose is very fresh yet tart with fruit; berry, sugar and funky and tart beutiful floral characteristics. The flavor has a moderate body and a fairly normal malt aftertaste. The tartness is there along with the fresh belgian yeast and fruity hops but it’s much more realistic than the fantasy nose. The tail is good however and makes up for the lack of respect and leaves a long, but good, impression. Very tasty beverage.

Orange amber ale with a thin creamy white head. Classic duchesse de bourgogne aroma,, with cherries and a bit of barnyard. Intense sour cherries in mouth with ich cremy mouthfeel. An earthy beer. Bought at Sams Wine in Chicago. 8.99. Enjoyed at YEHa!05 Christmas Party on Dec. 17th, 2005.

(750ml bottle) Sampled at TiggMTL’s Montreal Crew YEHa!05 Christmas Party on December 17, 2005. Beautiful, foamy white head with a deep orange body. Nose is tart and grape. Sweet initially melowing into a tart cranbeery finish. Very interesting.

Bottle. Poured deep ruddy color. Funky earthy aroma, some lighter berry fruit in there too. Faily mellow tartness to the palate. Sweet fruity flavors, like some melon perhaps, with other earthy yeasty notes. Not too tart or acidic.

Bottle. Pours a clear ruby color with a nice whitish head floating on top of the liquid. The head slowly fades down to a solid layer over the liquid and leaves dense and coating lacing behind. Aroma is pleasantly cherry with notes of acetic acid, wood and just the slightest bit of funk. Lighter bodied and highly carbonated. Briefly tart with a lingering acididty. Moderate cherry flavor, slightly spicey. Decently done but somehow lacks slightly.

Earthy red-brown beer; thick yellow-brown head, creamy. Woody sourish-sweet nose, lactic acid, sour cream, fruity as wild berries, rosehips, oranges, prunes. Tart sourish taste, with little sweetness left. Woody, tannines, fruit (sour cherries, unripe brambles, unripe plums), lactic acid, peppery, raw cinnamon bark taste, tobacco, black cardemom peel. Well-bodied, hidden oily slickness, alleviated by the acids. Proef’s attempt at Oud Bruin. More than deft, but in opposition to the multitude of flavours, I miss a bit of depth. I still could do with more of this, obviously.

Metallic, sour, cherry, oak, tannins, leather, menthol (mild). Tangy. Reminded me of La Folie but less dry. Very enjoyable. Finished over a period of several days and even the oxidation was rather pleasant.