Ichtegems Oud Bruin

Brewed by Brouwerij Strubbe
Style: Sour Ale
Ichtegem, Belgium

(Bottled, BBE 09/09) Dark ruby with a smallish, firm head. Very earthy aroma of sweaty socks, some dried fruit, and caramely malt. Sweetish, mildly tart flavor with caramely malt. Medium-bodied, surprisingly non-watery for an oud bruin, quite carbonated. This was actually not bad for the oud bruin style, although the aroma was not very pleasant, and it was not sour by any standards. Smooth, harmless, not bad.

Bottle Clear, amber body. Off-white head. Disgusting aroma of root chicory, sewer, smoke, anise, old stuff, wet cardboard, wet dog, ... Moderately bitter, lightly sour initial flavour. Lightly sour, dry finish. Oxidised finish? Very unbalanced beer. Not too bad, but certainly not complex nor attractive.

my first "sour" beer. a very dark red color with a faomy head. fruity and slighty pungent on the nose. a highly carbonated, almost cola and hoppy for the first instant. then the sweet cherries and raspberries come on strongly. a tangy and sour aftertaste at the end. the sweetness linger a while. i would pair it with roasted turkey with cranberries, pork chops, or pheasant.

250ml bottle from Bier Tempel, Brussels. A very pleasant and enjoyable beer. Softly carbonated. Gently sweet and malty like a fresh, good quality malt loaf. Chocolate notes. Very little in the way of bitterness, and nothing tart or sour. A well grounded and nicely balanced ale. Understated and quite moreish.

(Bottle) Pours a lightly hazy mahogany body with a small beige head. Aroma of raisins, caramel, vinous, and some spoiled fruit. Flavor of caramel malt, raisins, wood, lactic, vinous, and flat Dr. Pepper.

Once I got over the almost total lack of sourness, I decided that the beer tasted pretty good anyway. 25cL bottle poured nearly black with bright ruby highlights, and a purple-tinted, off-white head that receded. Vaguely vinous nose of sparkling red grape juice, raisins. Sweetish flavor with only a slight tartness carried by that lively, champagne-like, pinprick carbonation. Just a touch of dust on the finish. Lacks some depth. I’d reach for other oud bruins first, but this is likable enough.

Bottle @ The Rake. Pours a darkish reddish color with a small off-white head. Fruity woody sour aroma. Sweetish sugary malty flavor with tart woody hints. Sweetish tasrt finish.

from belgianshop.com - clear ruby-brown colour with a little but stable creamy beige head; aroma of wood and sour cherries, creamy mouthfeel, sweet with a hint of sourness; the finish is vinous and caramel - subtle