Rodenbach Alexander

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

I got a chance to try this beer--for that I owe Tad some future considerations. Relatively flat, thick syrupy brown-red. Red and fruity but with aroma notes of raisins, Autumn pies, and bandages. Rich flavor, cherry, coughdrops. Probably an excellent after-dinner drink, with a bit of tingle on the back of my throat. Why don’t they make this anymore? WHY? WHY??!!

Big thanks to Springslicker for sharing this. It looks a bit like iced tea. Aroma is winey, even a bit sugary, and only mildly fruity. Very tart, with some earthy, leathery undertones. Maybe even a touch of champagne. Very tasty, insanely drinkable. They should make this again.

Note: I had a dream about this beer...First rating from bottle at Bier Circus in Brussles: Well-integrated sourness in this baby: ghosts of cherry and hops. One of those fine treats you will never forget. Re-rating from Oakes’ cellar: Clear red-orange, vibrant fiery joy. Aroma of cherry tarts and sherry barrels. Some candied elements. Almost flat in mouthfeel. Sweet, sour, complex and nuanced. Some watermelon, some biscuit in finish, some raspberry balsamic vinegar in the start. The balance of sweet and sour is perfect here. So frickin gorgeous they better pull a Lazarus on this baby.

Vintage 1998 bottle.
This beer is truly amazing (like the other Rodenbachs!). Hazy dark red body with a small pink head. Nose is vinous with plenty of fruit, berries and vinegar. Flavor is very full and complex with lots of sweet cherries and a nice sour and dry finish. This beer is absolutely great and I have to say a huge thanks to Philippe (Bov) for trading me this!! Luckily I have 2 bottles left §:-)

Rating #1000. Bottle from Styles. I wanted this beer to be mind-blowing, and I wanted to write a review of it likening it to a roller-coaster... where all the beers leading up to this were the endless climb up to the top of the first hill. Where the cap is popped and I am just bridging the hump. The first sniff is taken and it all comes into speed, as I fly along the track and am taken for a wild, intense, amazing ride that is done before I know it. And then that is it. Back to the grind, back to the baby steps in between the adrenaline rushes, the hours of waiting between each 2 minute adventure.

But I am not going to write a review like that. Because this isn’t quite that good. Is it great? Yes. Fantastic? Perhaps. But so good that I could dare write a review calling every other beer I have had up to this point just another step towards the pinnacle that is Rodenbach Alexander? Nope. Oh well!

So here is my review:


Small white head.

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.

Bottle: Nice aroma of wine and fruit. There’s a touch of model airplane glue that I would not have noticed except the comment from wolhfs. Pours a dark transparent amber. Very malty up front with a little apple and wine flavors. Nice sour and tart flavors. Excellent. Another thanks to Eyedrinkale.

I rated this in the past but bashed the crap out of it because I was too new to this style. So, I was fortunate enough to try nearly an entire bottle by myself because Styles is the man! Thanks!!!!! The beer pours to a nice mahogany body with small particulate in it. It has a thin white head. The aroma is sweet cherries and nice balsamic vinegar. The flavor is phenominal. Sweet cherries, nice balsamic vinegar. Nicely tart palate. Perfect feel.