Petrus Aged Pale

Brewed by Bavik-De Brabandere
Style: Sour Ale
Harelbeke, Belgium

Dutch Ratebeer Gathering. Clear orange cloured, big white head. Remarkable, initially it really resembles a gueuze, wood, vinegar, tartness. Although after awhile it becomes apparent that it’s not (doesn’t taste like a Flemish Sour either). Long finish. Nice beer.

Kaleidoscopes of rose, blush and peach dazzle my eyes, as a frothing tub of bubbles and rose petals crowns my vision. An aging wheel of parmigano reaches maturity early in the nostrils, retiring with freshly pickled caperberries and dolmas. Unassuming entry onto the taste receptors. A quick burst of electrfying white wine tarragon vinegar and sops of rancid georgia peaches. Down by the beach, I’m digging for razor clams and filling my bucket. The fragrant ripe fruity florals blossom and squak like the plaintive cries of a Laughing Gull harassing a small dog. On the parching movement towards the roof of my mouth comes a blast of flooded basement and the fuming parlor of a plantation, with fresh mint juleps, ready made. Right from the pot, a heaping plate of sauerbraten. Here, a watery wash of perfume bellows as if to touch the acidic splendor with the grace of a ballerina. A sushi chef peppers a nigiri of saba with mirin. Across the table, a middle aged man asks, " Could you pass the Tabasco?" Aged. Defined. Not startling, but pleasant. What I can’t decide, is whether I like this example of the style, because it’s less overwhelmingly sour or because it’s just better done. Regardless, I can actually detect the quality of the malt in this beer.

Lively aroma of acidic ethanol and cherry lime. Flavour matches the acidity and has a twist of lemon finish.

6th Dutch Ratebeer Gathering. Smells fruity, citric, apple, gueuze like beer. Oak. Nice, smooth fruity taste. Interesting brew.

Light gold color with a heavy white head. Awesome sour apple, vinegar aroma. Great tart taste filled with apple, grape, cherry, and pine. Full of cheese accents, with a excellent mouth puckering ending.

6th Dutch Ratebeer Gathering. aroma of gueuze like citrus. Slightly hazy, orange coloured with a thin, white head. Quite beautiful. Exciting taste, smooth and balanced. Sweet and sour. Vinegar/tartness. Bit citric. Somehow a combination between a gueuze and a flemish sour.

The aroma suggests citrus, cherry, band-aid, rubbing alcohol, and that vintaged quality. Big time sour, and awesome. I’m thinking lambic but more soy and acid. The cherry comes out nicely. Excellent.

6th DRG, some bottles were available at Bert’s Bierhuis, Utrecht. Slightly hazy golden color, medium head. More like a light gueuze, than a flemish sour where usually there are some cherry-like notes. Soft, bit sweet and hoppy, some oakwood. Quite sour overall. Gets more intense while drinking.