Rodenbach Alexander

Formerly brewed at Brouwerij Rodenbach (Palm)
Style: Sour Ale
Roeselare, Belgium

Bottle: Very generously given to me by goldtwins. Thank you very, very much, Larry! Pours a nice amber with a lively well retained light tan head. Tons of lovely acetic/vinegary character in the aroma. Fruity notes of cherry skin are there as well as passion fruit with a touch of old oak. Fluffy and crisp texture. The flavor begins with cherry skin and a acetic character. Sharp and crispy. Light notes of cask/oak character come through giving it a touch of vanilla nuances. Meshes with all types of tart fruits- cherry, passion fruit notes which lead to oaky tannins and a clean finish. Awesome stuff.

33 cL bottle at DHVL, 1992 vintage. Pours clear and golden deep amber with a semi dense white head. Cherry and vinegar like sour aroma. Sweet and malty flavoured with a light oxidation note. Smooth cherry and fruity flavoured with a very subdued rodenbach acetone note. Smooth and sweet finish. Has a bit of the sharp rodenbach acetone on the back of the nose. Lovely stuff.

Bottle, 6.5%. BB 1995, 14 years ago. From a distance the aroma is a lot like other old beers (which I usually dislike), sweet port, oxidation. Fortunately, up close it is more complex. There is the well-known prune/plum/raisin combination, and perhaps some cherry. Still acidic, though. Beautiful, clear dark red brown colour. Stable frothy head. The flavour is quite sweet, it has much of the same as the aroma. But not the oxidized characteristics, those I am happy to be without. Sweet flavour, cherry, prune notes, but with a good citric note to balance. The mouthfeel is a bit thick, tells me that there must be quite a lot of residual sugar in this beer.

Thanks AgentSteve. Pours dark amber brown, cherries, light tart, malty, wood, little nutty.

Rating 1000! Pours an clean and clear ruddy brown that appears a beautiful garnet when held to the sunlight, with a few big bubbles on the top. Nice vinous nose with cherries and a touch of wood. Reminds me quite a bit of their Grand Cru, but smoother and less acidic influences. More sweet than sour with cherries and oak. SO delicate on the palate and clean in the finish. Absolute YUM.

Jon, I love you for sharing this with me. 1996 bottle. Pours a clear amber color with a nice fizzyness to it. Aroma with some sweet malty cherries, oak, and sherry notes. A bit of sour, but not too much. The flavor is nice and sour, but not at the expense of balance. A slight mineraly taste. Sweet with whiskey soaked cherries. There is a deep oaky characteristic that comes out in the finish. Very tasty. A medium-thick body. Sad that I will probably never have it again.

1983 bottle. Murky reddish brown, scant white head. Aroma of sour cherries and plums. Slightly sweet sour flavor with nuts and dark fruits. Wood finish. Nice one.

This was hanging on better than I’d heard. Hazy copper color with cherries, brown sugar, and pitted fruits. A smooth body with similar flavors and the faintest hint of banana marring the otherwise fantastic body. A very thick mouthfeel.