Hi guys.  For today’s craft beer review I’m going to be trying the Kasteel Rogue by the Brouwerij Van Honsenbrouck N.V. located in Ingelmunster, Belgium.

I’ve never had this beer before and I don’t really know what to expect, so let’s get to the description and find out what it’s all about.

The website, vanhonsebrouck.be, provided us with this description.

Castle Red is the fruit beer of the Castle range.  Its unique dark red colour is obtained by mixing Castle brown that has been left to mature for at least 6 months with sour cherries.  This beer has gastronomic qualities and can be drunk as an aperitif, with a BBQ, to accompany a dessert or simply as an outstanding real ale. 

Ok.  Bottoms up!!!

The Kasteel Rogue comes in an 11.2 oz. bottle and it has an ABV of 8.0%.

The appearance on this beer was of a very deep cherry to dark, ruby red/burgundy color.  The head had, literally, a pink overcast.  It was very small and very, very, very fizzy.  One of the fizziest tops I have ever seen on a craft beer.  It dissolved very quickly and it left only a scant amount of lacing behind.  A fine ring was left around the top though.

The nose presented…. well…. cherries, cherries and more cherries.  It smelled like a combination of cherry juice and cherry lifesavors.  Only a slight hint of sourness was detected.  I’ll tell ya.  That’s about all I could pick out.  I’m sure there is something else involved, but I don’t have a clue as to what it might be.  Just sweet cherries is all I know.

The taste brought on additional heavy doses of sweet cherries.  Oh, and have I mentioned it tasted like cherries????  I might be picking up a minute hint of Belgian yeast in there as well as a small touch of alcohol.  I wish I could say more, but I can’t get past the cherry savors.  It kind of tasted like a “mixed” drink.  I will say that as the brew warmed a bit, it did become slightly more tame, earthy and bearable, which I’m guessing is from the yeast.  Who knows? 

The mouthfeel was medium bodied.  Mostly smooth, crisp and dry.  A very small amount of warmth was felt as I swallowed and I found that not nearly as much flavor was left behind as I thought might be with such a forthcoming flavor.

Well.  This beer is very much one dimensional.  It’s a little too sweet and too “cherrified” for me.  A tad hard to drink.  Hmm.  I’m not real sure about it, but I doubt that I will be picking this up again anytime soon.  It didn’t have quite enough sourness or “funk” to be classified as a Lambic and the unreserved sweetness showed no remorse.  Hey, if you favor the heavy fruit and vegetable beers, this beer might be right up your alley.  Don’t take my word for it.  Try it for yourself and see what you think.

Do you guys like fruit/vegetable beers???  If so, which one’s do you prefer???  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know.  

Thanks for reading and commenting guys.  Until next time.

Cheers.

Score:  2.55 out of 5
Grade:  C-