Rodenbach Grand Cru

Brewed by Brouwerij Rodenbach (Palm)
Style: Sour Ale
Roeselare, Belgium

Tap during my inaugural trip to Blue Palms. A nice deep red/brown/violet with thin head. An uncanny replicant of a grape Popcicle or Alexander the Grape Otter Pop in the aroma. This ushers in a flavor that is somewhat more fortified than Ommegang Rouge, but definitely in that vein. Grape, pineapple, unripe peach and green apple which is all nicely balanced. A standard for a reason.

Appearance (4 /5): dark ass reddish brown, minimal light tan head that fades pretty quickly. Aroma (8/10): great sourness with a bit of vinegar quality to it (which I don’t like) – notes of vanilla, oak, sour cherries, citrus, lemon, yeast, earthiness, etc. Flavor (7/10): Very solid sour flavor – a bit of vinegar quality upfront that fades into a sweet fruitiness that fades again into a medium dry tart oaky finish. (Addition after getting near end of bottle, this beer is really flavorful and complex, almost overwhelmingly so. This is a sour I couldn’t have more than one of in a night. The finish is long and has a serious barnyard funk to it that exhibits a flavor so reminiscent of something that I can’t manage to put my finger on. This finish is what makes the brew a bit overwhelming for me, causing me to retract a point. Still good though). Palate (4/5): A lot heavier body than I anticipated – medium to heavy body with active fine carbonation. Overall (16/20): Really good sour, would be nearer to 9’s and 10’s on aroma and flavor without that trace amount of vinegar in there.

With all its fame, and with all the grandour of its brewery, this beer somehow manages to be one of the most special in the world. The definite flemish sour ale, don’t believe any rumours that say otherwise. Truth be told, each bottle tastes a bit differently. And if you have the choice, go for the big ones. I once drank a 75cl bottle that made me cry.

Zeeland 08’ tasting. How I have not tried this yet is beyond me. Good to finally get a chance at it. Pours a cloudy red/brown color. Aroma is funk and sweet malt. Taste is sweet and sour cherry that play off each other very well. Effortless to drink and a really nice example of the style. Great starter sour, and really enjoyable even after you are a sour addict.

hazy, dark copper body with dark ruby highlight, moderate lacing, thick tan head that diminishes slower than its classic version; medium sweet, medium sour though more than the classic, hints of wood and cherry, additional notes of vinegar and grapefruit; smooth, fuller than the classic, with more spritz and spike; still good, not as simple as the classic.

22oz bottle. Pours a hazy red with a minimal super foamy sticky head. Huge nose of cherry and vinegar, wow this one really opens up your nose. Really acidic but it makes me want to sip. Flavorwise it matches the nose but its not quite as aggressive. At first its a real shock but if you sip this beer it becomes more nuanced and refreshing. Tons of vanilla oak in the flavor balanced with huge quantities of sour cherry and a dash of vinegar. This is a crazy brew and a damn good one. Well done.

Wow. I have never tasted anything quite like this one. It pours a dark reddish-brown with an amazingly complex aroma of acidic vinegary tart cherry, sherry, and earth. The flavor was much of the same with some dustiness in it with a slight cherry and vinegar finish. Wow, this beer has done very well doing both sweet and sour, deep and acidic.

Pours a crimson red with slight white head. Aroma is awesome, fruity and lots of alcohol. Flavor is sweet with esters. Just a bit of sour. Not too much. But really nice. Good balance.