Let’s not waste any time and let’s find a description from the website, rodenbach.be.
A blend of 1/3 young beer and 2/3 of beer aged 2 years in large oak vats. The more important proportion of oak matured beer contributes to its fruity taste, complexity and intensity. The finish is worthy of a great wine.
Let’s pour.
The Rodenbach Grand Cru has an ABV of 6.0% and it comes in a 25.4 oz. bottle.
The beer poured a very deep, clear, ruby to burgundy color. The crown was light tan and it had a very nice size. It was soft, light, creamy and smooth. The retention time was adequate and the lacing looked very good. The head settled to a nice, silky smooth film right on top of the liquid that lasted the duration.
The aroma brought forth wonderful hints of deep cherries and over ripened grapes. The sourness seemed relaxed, but otherwise duly noted. Fragrances of aged oak and yeasty goodness added some well rounded complexities. Deep within the nose I also found hints of buttermilk. Overall, the bouquet was very well balanced, forthcoming and complex.
The taste bumped the sourness up just a bit. Some of that commonplace vinegar started to pull through as the beer worked its way across the palate. A well received tartness bit the tongue by way of sour grapes and ripe cherries. A delightful sugar tone was noticed, which added even more sweetness, followed by the “oak” acting as a complimentary backdrop. Only a very minute redolence of alcohol was noticed. The taste definitely resembles a “reserved” red wine.
The mouthfeel was medium, snappy and very dry. It started with a sharp bite that really became smooth and velvety as I made my way through the glass. The flavor seemed to stick to the palate long after the sip. A very, very nice mouthfeel with this one.
I’ll tell ya… I really liked this beer. Tons of aroma and flavor abound. It’s super easy to drink with the relatively low 6.0% ABV also. I would be more than happy to revisit this beer again sometime in the near future. If you favor Sours, I would highly recommend picking this up and giving it a go. I’m slowly, but surely coming around to this style. I find myself craving a Sour at the most inopportune times. Oh well. I guess that’s a good thing. It means my palate is adjusting and working just fine.
Thanks for reading and commenting guys. I really appreciate the feedback. If you would like to discuss craft beer, you can find me on Twitter @BeerApprentice and @shrews824 or look me up on Google+ (Scott Shrewsberry).
Until next time.
Cheers.
Score: 4.25 out of 5
Grade: A-
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