Ommegang Rouge Grand Cru

Brewed by Bockor
Style: Sour Ale
Bellegem, Belgium

Tallahassee, Fl. - Fermentation Lounge - on tap. Dark orange pour, fluffy white head. Full blown sour aroma with some clean vinegar accents. Excellent sour flavor with some cherries, raspberries and vinegar - in a good way. Still have not figured out the appropriate descriptors for a sour - but this one is top notch. Lip smacking sourness. Thick mouthfeel. Very enjoyable.

On draft at the Thirsty Monk. Pours a nice dark reddish brown with a small foamy head. Nice strong sour grain and malt on the nose with a great whiff of red fruit. The taste is beautifully tart and full. I wish I could have had some food to pair with this. Very complex with the cherries and yeast and everything combining so perfectly. I love this beer.

It pours a dark, semi-transparent Coca-Cola brown with just a little bit of head. Aroma is strong and malty, and has an overtone of apple brandy, rather like a barleywine. Flavor is mainly of apple brandy and has subtle hints of sweetness and cinnamon. Texture is silky smooth and just a little tingly. It tastes more like a barleywine than an ale, except that it doesn’t have a fierce alcohol bite.

On draft at RFDs after Randy Johnson’s 300th win 06/04/09. Served in a tulip glass, looks ruby red with a soft tan foam. Nose is intensely woody with hints of sour cherries and vintage cheese. Flavor is musty and tart with a drool inspiring acidity. Noticeable red wine vinegar, a bit of sweet malt and an almost over the top tart cherry flavor. Carbonation is fairly high and adds a little to the puckering character. Texture is somewhat fizzy, but well balanced. Finishes with a lingering, palate destroying kick of vinegar and oak. Wish they bottled this!

on tap at the ale house- pours a dark brown color with a light chocolate colored foam. Minimal carbonation. Aroma is very strong and is of sangria, lime, fruit, and hops. Flavor was sour as expected but the sweetness was more overpowering. Palate was remarkably smooth and the body was very full. Very unique brew and a great beer.

Draft – Frisco’s. Dark red, thin creamy white head. Deep sour cherry and musty oak aromas rest on soft barnyard funk and cheese notes. Earthed sour cherry flavor is well rounded with light touches of wood and vinegar. Nice tartness throughout. Full bodied and smooth, soft carbonation, oaked, sour cherry finish. An absolutely spectacular rendition…

Draft at Coles in Buffalo. Deep red brown with a thin head. Tart fruity aroma, cherries perhaps, with a light earthy funky hint. The flavor maintains an excellent balance of tartness and sweetness. Cherry, red grapes, and rhubarb. Some woody, earthy, oaky characteristics come through in the finish. Very good.

This is a beer I have been wanting to try for a while and was happy to see at last weekend’s tasting hosted by PilsnerPeter. From a growler filled at Bierkraft. Pours a mostly clear reddish brown with a linen white head. Very pleasant aroma of oak, cabernet grapes and leather. The flavor is cabernet grapes with a nice, bright, berry tartness along with some soft oakiness. The finish is bright and long-lasting with both sweet and sour fruity notes. Very nice.