Liefmans Goudenband

Brewed by Liefmans (Moortgat)
Style: Sour Ale
Oudenaarde, Belgium

For some reason, perhaps out of folly, the brewers behind Goudenband put together a strange beer that can actually juxtapose itself; a parrot of itself, or a self-manifested riddle. The color is hideously dark; a shadowy dark licorice with a glint of acorn brown when held to a light. By appearance this beer clearly belongs in the Stout clan, but its taste is far too sweet and refined. From the surface of the dark pool of ale rises a festive collection of light, aromatic and breezy smells, including sour apples, fresh cherries and light cedar wood. The look also betrays the tongue, which after the first taste paints an image of showering flower petals; a refreshing and oddly wet beer complete with pine flavors, a salt component, crisp red apples and the same cherries found in the nose. Also of particular remark is the finish, which reminds me more of an amber ale than anything else. Quite a strange composite of flavors, smells and looks, but together it all makes for a delectable quilt of tastes that make up a fine, though oddly disguised, Flemish sour ale.

(2005): Brown with a orange-red glow and a tanned head. Aroma is really good: grapes, cherries, vinegar, wood! Sourness and a nice body ensures you a longlasting and refreshing drink. I recommend!

Tap
Cloudy brown, off-white creamy head. Cherry, light sourness, a hint roast. Quite drinkable to say the least :-) Dry finish

Really not that sour. Brown body with a nice head. Aroma is slightly sour with yeast and cherries. The yeast overpowers everything as instead of regular sediment it’s like crackers in your glass. It’s huge! Still quite enjoyable with a fruity complexity.

The smell of cherries introduces this beer to the nose. It is a dark copper in color with no head and no lacing. The taste is tart like sour cherries. The tartness sticks on the palate long after the flavor fades.

Bottle: Inviting mahogany tones with ruby highlights glint out from the glass along with a fast fading bubbly tan head. The aroma was complex but dissapointingly aloof, consisting of dried herbs (rosemary, thyme), cola, emerging caramel notes, and an underlying shiraz pepperiness. None of this really sought attention though. On the palate its true identity was revealed. Very gentle acidity with some initial burnt toffee notes that are followed quickly by cherry- or plum-like juicy tones and a nice earthy mustiness. Sadly this was at first acompanied by some slight mettalic hints. However, as it breathed caramel flavours emerged mid-palate. Beautifully low carbonated, though I would be interested to try this from a cask or even totally uncarbonated. A well crafted beer with great life and presence in the mouth. Wonderful.

I quite concur with the previous comments, as these seem to be based on the older Goudenbands. Up untill a year ago this was, by far, one of my personal favourites. Yet the 2004 and 2005 brews seem have changed to a standard Belgian dark Abbey style, with only the faintest hint of the previously distinctive sour, wine and port overtones. Will this be permanent? I certainly hope not.

750ml - cork says 2003 - Aroma is sour port wine, dark cherry, and Belgian yeast. Pours brown with a small off white head that leaves a ring and decent lacing. Flavor is less tart than the aroma. Cherry, carmel malt, and vanilla. Palate is smooth and clean with a touch of tartness. Very tasty stuff.