Rodenbach Vin de Céréale

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

In short: A weird very sweet sipper. Intriguing but only drinkable in small samples
How: Back from Europe tasting session with Montreal crew
The look: Clear golden body with no head to speak of
In long: This very sweet sipper is some kind of weird cross between a Sour Ale, a Lambic and an Ice Cider. Although this description might seem interesting the end-result is really not that pleasant. Weird class of styles, way too sweet, alcohol apparent and a sourness that almost seems out of place. I would never drink a full bottle by myself (even at 375ml). An unusual beer. as strangely put together as someone saying his haemorrhoids are a real pain in the neck

Bouteille verte de 375 ml, avec bouchon de liège, partagée lors d’une dégustation Ratebeer Montréal chez Glouglouburp. Arôme: Odeur légèrement sûrette avec une pointe de citron. Apparence: La couleur est dorée. Saveur: Goût de pommes sûrettes avec une pointe de citron et de miel. Courte durée de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légèrement huileuse. Faible effervescence en bouche. Présence de fruits sûrettes en arrière goût. (Rating #1607)

Thx for another great tasting, Kim (Beljohansen) !!! Light amber, clear, no head, wood, vinegar, very sour.

Absolutly amazing sour ale. Really takes all the best qualities of the grand cru. Thin pour with slight amber look. almost no fizz . no head lactose taste, hints of sherry and oak. quite dry

Bottle 010695 (thanks to my cousin, ggaughan). Sampled alongside Rodenbach Classic and Grand Cru. Poured clear, rosy golden with no head. This was much lighter than its brethren. Medium tart aroma, lactic with notes of wood and wild yeast. Flavor was lactic as well, but somewhat restrained. Complimentary notes of green apple and oak round out the palate. Very dry finish. Less balsamic character than the Grand Cru. This was easily my favorite of the 3 Rodenbachs I sampled that day. World class sour!

My Bottom Line:
The tartness of ripe green apples melds into lambic-y sourness before syrupy cereal sweetness tempers the fruity attack. This slick and flat Sour Ale is definitely intriguing, but it is not as compelling as their Grandu Cru, imho.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-There is no head whatsoever atop the clear bronze.
-Its body and flavor profile are somewhat similar to Cantillon’s Bruocsella.
-Alcohol is relatively well hidden for a 10% ale.
-Carbonation is nearly absent, which doesn’t help the mouthfeel much.
-A wooden dryness rises in the back.

Bottle.

A kind gift from our Mes, nice one mate. I think my first sour ale? Wouldn’t have thought this would be my thing but very nice indeed. Imagnie this would be fantastic for cooking but sacriligous for you beer geeks. Tart of course but complex and interesting. I’ll try more sour ales for sure, I may be lucky to get another this good.

Just picked up a case direct from Belgium. WOW! Probably the best Flanders ale i have ever had. I will definately save a couple. The sweet sour taste lingers for minutes. I’m ready for another one.