Nov 29, 2011

Rodenbach Classic

Rodenbach photo

I’ve only recently been getting into more sour-style brews the past couple of years, but there was always one beer that was recommended I try for as long as I can remember being a craft beer fan. Rodenbach, a Flanders Red Ale, has been on top of several wishlists through the years, but I was never able to find one at any of my frequent stops to a number of specialty beer shops.

Thankfully, this sample of Rodenbach Classic arrived a couple of weeks ago and I can now successfully check this one off the list. I never really had any great expectations for the beer. I just knew that it was one of the better examples of the style. It more than exceeded expectations.

Appearance

Pouring a very dark, ruddy brown in color, Rodenbach sits with a this head that fell to patchy surface cover.

Aroma

Smells just like I expected — sour cherries, soft grape notes, a touch of oak and a light funk all come together nicely.

Taste

A sharp tartness hits the tongue first, but fades quickly to dark cherries and a subtle sweetness that helps temper the sour nature of the beer. I don’t pick up much of a woody presence for the most part, but it does arise here and there as the beer sits in the glass for a bit. There’s a solid sour character, but the beer is still quite drinkable.

Overall

I’m quite happy to have finally had the opportunity to sample a classic like this. I love the sour tartness that drives the beer’s character, as well as the tempering sweetness and fruit component that come in to balance out the beer. It’s a great tasting beer and one that I hope to find for myself in the near future.

Rating: 4/5

This is a review of a promotional sample received from a PR company.

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