northernbrews (12), Allen Park, Michigan, USA
Jun 25, 2008 Updated: Jul 1, 2008
Finally got a chance to meet up w/ Styles for a few beers. Keep in mind I’ve only met Chris a few weeks ago. Started out w/ a Signature Ale which is a pretty nice beer. What does Chris bring out next….a frickin Alexander. Holy Shit I’ve wanted this beer for so long and I never thought I’d get to try it. I’ve thought about trading for it, but I didn’t want to give up half the cellar.
I should have written down a rating when I was drinking it, but I’ll try to remember all the nuances (might be a little tough after all the beers me, Chris, ryan, and Pailhead had at our little tasting).
It pours quite nicely in the La Fin tulip. It’s brown w/ some orange and red around the edges. There’s a thin white head that slowly fades as I sip on this beauty……looks better than I’d expect for a 10+ year old beer.
Damn, what a nose on this one. Reminds me of a toned down Grand Cru w/ some sweet and sour cherry notes. Maybe a touch of tobacco too.
This tastes even better than it smells. The cherries hit you right from the first sip. This is followed by a nice tartness and a few different spices.
It’s a little thin, but that’s to be expected for a 10 year old beer. The flavors hang around on the palate for quite a while.
I am so glad I got to try this beer. I continue to be amazed by the generosity of the beer community. I actually like to Redbach, but that doesn’t even come close to this one. We can only hope Rodenbach starts brewing this again. It’s just too good a beer to stay retired. Hopefully you get a chance to try this beauty….I’m sure grateful I did. Thanks again Chris
 BDR (1966), Roseville, Minnesota, USA
Oct 7, 2008 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.
santoslhalper (252), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Oct 3, 2008 1996 bottle, I think. Reddish amber body with a thin fizzy head. Very fruity, oaky and sour smell with some grapes, cherries, chocolate, raisins and lemons. The taste is incredibly fruity with a strong sour back. Cherries, dates, plums, oak, lemons, oranges, chocolate, raisins, and tons more. Complex, and aging great. Can’t wait to have another bottle in 10 years!
dpjuart (608), Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA
Oct 1, 2008 9/17/08 - Courtesy of santoslhalper, shared with Exec Board. ’96 bottle. Pours orange/amber with red hues, eggshell, fizzy head that reduces quickly to a thin, rimming film. Nose is caramel, raisin, figs, chery and mild chocolate - slight sherry notes. Taste is lots of cherry with caramel notes, leading to a candied chocolate, nice crisp tartness fro mthe sour cherry. Very, very solid beer. Yummy in the tummy. Thanks for the treat, Jon.
JMFG (1202), Florida, USA
Sep 27, 2008 Courtesy Beerlando. Cloudy copper-brown color, a little soapy white head. Some creamy dark fruits, mild oak, a healthy sweet component set off by lactic tartness. Sweet oak and sour cherry notes dominate the taste with nice lingering tartness on the back end. Good balance, great flavors.
Beerlando (1460), Orlando, Florida, USA
Sep 10, 2008 Pours very lightly hazy, almost transparent, and ruby red in color. A small, foamy, cream colored head leaves soapy spots of lace behind. The aroma is absolutely fantastic, notes of intense, sour cherries meeting sweet, fruity malts, vanilla, and sour lactose. Hints of worn leather, brown sugar and dark, sweet and sour fruits permeate. Flavors show even more sourness, tart cherries and lactic acidity screeching through the sweet fruits, oaky vanilla and lightly musty yeast lending complimentary depth. Medium bodied with light to moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is stellar for a brew of this age. Overall, this one lived up to the hype for me. It’s a simply fantastic brew that should be put back into production ASAP.
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