Bios Vlaamse Bourgogne

Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge
Style: Sour Ale
Ertvelde, Belgium

Good sour ale, but its a little too smooth. I think I am spoiled from drinking the really good stuff in the style. Still, this is very drinkable and would return for another when its available. Cool red color as well looks great.

Tap @ The Maproom with the name Monk’s cafe Flemish Sour Red. Poured a burgundy color with fluffy head. Aroma of red wine vinegar, cherry, and a touch of yeast. Pours hazy red/brown with small head and good lacing. Flavor is surprisingly mild. Sour cherry, vinegar, and some watered down red wine. Palate is not very tart and actually a little sweet.

11.2 oz. bottle into sniffer. Pours dark red with a nice white (slightly grayish) head. Aroma includes hints of vinegar, port, salt… weird (but this is also my first sour, so…). Flavor is strange, tangy, vinegar, salt, with a malt and a bit fruity aftertaste – no hops. Medium bodied on the palate and smooth carbonation, pretty thin mouth feel though.

On Tap at 3Floyds. Oaky, tart, sour and fruity, but pales in comparison with Rodenbach Grand Cru or New Belgium La Folie. Still a tasty beer if you can manage to judge it on its own merits. Which in all seriousness, you can’t. So, shit, it’s really just an average Belgian Sour Ale. I’m not afraid to bash a Belgian. Some people think that if it says Belgian on the bottle, it has to be great. Well, it, like all beers are guilty until proven innocent. With that being said, I still rather enjoy this moment sitting here with my dad drinking this mediocre, quaffable sour ale.

Draught @ GLB under the Monks name. Ruby amber pour with tight beige head. Sour cherry stones and lilting malt. Wood taste is present in the finish. Well balanced for the style.

On tap at Three Floyds as Monk’s Cafe Flemish Sour Ale and served in a tulip. This beer poured a translucent brown with a few ruby highlights and a lasting, one-finger thick head of tan foam. Not much lace. The aroma of the beer was made up of sugary, sour cherries, mild caramel, and more dark fruits. The flavor was lightly acidic and highly sweet and fruity. Mainly sour cherries along with some plum and dates as well as some woody oak notes. The mouthfeel was light-bodied with lively carbonation. An entry level sour that wouldn’t be too offensive to a first timer. Decently enjoyable.

Monk’s Cafe bottle via tytoanderso. Thanks Tyler! Pours a bubbly light cherry cola color with good clarity. Nose is mostly cherry and vinegar. Taste- Initial tart fruit which dries quickly into a mineral like finish. Dry and wood in finish as well. Would score higher, but the hard water taste is a bit much. Crisp on the tongue and goes down easy.

Monk’s Cafe Bottle from Foodery, Philly. Lambic glass. Cherry vinegar aroma. Tart, sweet, acidic and sour cherry taste. Hard water mouthfeel. Thin to medium bodied. Easy to drink for hte style.