Hello again everyone. For today’s craft beer review I’m going to be trying a 2011 Goudenband produced by Brouwerij Liefmans located in Oudenaarde, Belgium.

This will be the first Liefmans that I’ve had in a long time. I’ve always enjoyed them though, so I should walk away satisfied if all holds true.

From the website, liefmans.be, we find this bit of information regarding the Goudenband.

Liefmans Goudenband is a brown beer of high fermentation, brewed with special malts. This beer will mature for 4 to 8 months in the cellars. The taste of this typical provision beer evolves positively over time.

Let’s pour.

This 8.0% ABV beer comes in a “pajama” wrapped 25.4 oz. bottle.

It poured a murky, brown to burgundy color with a khaki tinted head.  The crown was sized ok and somewhat smooth with just a touch fizz.  Both the retention time and the lacing were decent and stuck around for a few moments.

The nose released hints of tart, soured cherries.  It had a very unique and enjoyable earthy/vegetable type of fragrance as well as a tiny bit of woodiness.  Like a very relaxed red wine bouquet.  Very well balanced and harmonized.  I really liked the aroma.  It was very nice.

The sourness and the tartness were a little more reserved within the taste.  Still duly noted however.  Touches of black cherries and slightly roasted malt.  It even had a nutty taste that was like walnut or something.  Quite yeasty, earthy and woody as well.  Pretty good I thought.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied.  Dry, chewy and sticky but smooth.  A medium to low amount of carbonation tickled the throat.  A slight warmth and a good dose of flavor was left behind after each drink also.

Well, I think we have a very nice beer right here.  It really hit the spot when I tried it.  It was very easy to drink and it really opened up a lot as I worked my way through the bottle.  The tarty,sourness really began to sedate as it warmed, which let the earthy/woody components shine.  I could easily see myself sipping on this during the Fall as the weather starts to cool.  I may see about finding another bottle or two just for that occasion.  Have you guys ever tried the Liefmans Goudenband?  What did you think of it?  Feel free to leave a comment if you would like.  I’d love to hear from you.

As always, thanks for reading guys.  I really appreciate it.

Until next time.  Cheers.

Score:  4.0 out of 5
Grade:  B+