Alexander - Brouwerij Rodenbach N.V.

davod23

California

4.28/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle into my Cantillon wine glass. A good beer for Review #100.

Pour is a deep brown-gold color, with slight hints of ruby. Virtually no head, as most of the bubbles that arise were due to the vigor of the pour. Good clarity.

Smell is pretty nice, I must say. Sour cherries, balsamic vinegar, a vague sweetness. Hints of random fruitiness in there too, perhaps strawberries.

Taste is better. Very nice. Perfect balance between sweet and sour, just like a good Flanders red should be. Sweet and sour cherries, raspberries, vinegar, sweet malt. Nice balance of acetic and lactic. There's a slight bit of oxidation here, but it doesn't detract much... just adds a layer of sherry complexity.

Mouthfeel - I'm going to dock it a little bit, but not too much because of the age of the bottle. It would have been better to have a few more bubbles, which would have lightened the load considerably. As it is, it's a bit heavy on the palate... but only just.

Overall - Really great experience, honestly. This bottle is about 14 years old, I think, and it's held up really well. It's a travesty that this isn't brewed anymore, because it's probably a better beer than any other Rodenbach offering around today. If this beer is as good as I think it is when it's fresh, I would have it on hand all the time.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2011 20:04:17 | More by davod23

jbuddle

New York

3.75/5  rDev -16.5%

04-25-2013 13:45:12 | More by jbuddle

GrumpyOldTroll

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +0.2%

04-13-2013 22:48:57 | More by GrumpyOldTroll

leschkie

California

3.25/5  rDev -27.6%

03-10-2013 07:55:15 | More by leschkie

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.41/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Huge thank you to Andrew MacWilliams for sharing the small 33cl bottle with myself and two others. Not sure if its the 96' or 2000 bottling.

The beer pours a nice lighter brown color tinged red with a great golden core, and a good ring of bubbly head around the glass. Nice clean look.

The smell reminds me of an apple cider farm near my parents house in north Connecticut, it has that earthy apple rind with a nice tinge of sour cherry and hints of vinegar. A very nice smell that shows no signs of oxidation or age surprisingly.

The taste has a very warming and supple flavor, almost like a hot mulled cider with some light spice and definite apple cherry fruit notes, a nice light vanilla oak overtone presides over all. A nice touch of tartness and vinegar too that is not overpowering but compliments the fruit and malt very well. The age has actually added a very composed roundness as opposed to a mustyness which I found really pleasant. A very refined beer, it almost drinks like a fine aged red wine.

The feel is very nice, enough carbonation and enough body for the style, it's elegant and silky on the palate.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised how composed and settled this beer was, if only there was more to drink!

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 21:05:32 | More by Dreadnaught33

spycow

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +5.8%

01-12-2013 03:29:23 | More by spycow

westcoastbeerlvr

California

4.25/5  rDev -5.3%

01-09-2013 00:51:12 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

jrfehon33

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +11.4%

01-05-2013 00:10:28 | More by jrfehon33

readbaron

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +0.2%

01-03-2013 16:01:52 | More by readbaron

BTPete

New York

4.75/5  rDev +5.8%

12-18-2012 13:27:34 | More by BTPete

dgfair

North Carolina

4.98/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

33 cL bottle poured into duchesse de Bourgogne goblet.

Beer pours a beautiful ruddy, amber brown color with a small, but adequate, layer of white lace. The nose is amazing....sweet and sour cherries, dry oak, a slight bit of musty funk, a touch of sweet apple. The smell is absolutely sublime and very complex. The taste is sweet dark cherry with a slight bit of vinegary sourness to balance it. I also get just the right amount of barrel character, very smoothing. Everything about this beer is in perfect balance. Still perfectly carbonated for being 14 years old. This beer has held up incredibly well, and this is one of the masterpieces of brewing. This is an absolutely phenomenal sour that I wish was still in production.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 01:41:10 | More by dgfair

DarthKostrizer

California

4.75/5  rDev +5.8%

11-07-2012 23:46:56 | More by DarthKostrizer

MrVonzipper

California

4.75/5  rDev +5.8%

11-05-2012 10:24:23 | More by MrVonzipper

drabmuh

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks be unto Thorpe for this long time whale want of mine, finally slayed. Served in a snifter. Beer is amber and mostly clear with almost no head, no retention, low carbonation, no lacing.

Aroma is nice, mildly musky, mildly malty.

Beer is nice and musky with a good tartness on the finish, a great cherry experience and I would have loved to try this fresher but I assume that this beer has held up well over time. I'd have it again for sure.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 19:56:26 | More by drabmuh

Samichlaus82

5/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Medium burgundy. Single (khakis) fingernail head on gentle pour. Smell is mix of dark cherry, tannins, and oak. Not much else here, but very deep. Nose is quite inviting. WOW - this beer tastes absolutely beautiful! Combination of cherry and oak. Touch of apple with hidden notes of faint vanilla too. Balance of sweet and sour is well executed and this beer is holding up quite well for being well older than a decade. Soft, smooth, and refreshing. Superb! A thoroughly enjoyable beer! Very well-rounded and has withstood the age of time. A beautiful beer that I would highly recommend to anyone. Simply amazing! Wish I could drink this more often.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2012 10:14:29 | More by Samichlaus82

JAHMUR

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +0.2%

09-29-2012 18:28:50 | More by JAHMUR

t0rin0

California

4.5/5  rDev +0.2%

09-08-2012 22:31:55 | More by t0rin0

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.58/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Shared by Thorpe429. Thanks a lot Mike! A top want of mine.

The beer is chestnut brown with a touch of crimson, sporting a thin beige collar that leaves some random lacing on the tulip.

The aroma offers a healthy dose of cherries, cherry juice, a bit of oak. Definitely smells like a Rodenbach.

The flavor is a lovely mix of sweet and tart, with cherries shining through beautifully. Age has served this beer well. Mild on the palate and silky smooth. Like drinking fresh cherry juice. It's hard to believe the beer is as old as it is, as it tastes fresh and fruit forward.

Light in body with moderately lo carbonation.

Overall, a delicious treat. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to try this.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 20:43:53 | More by Huhzubendah

spdyfire83

Ireland

4.93/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

245th Review
25cl bottle poured into namesake snifter
Vintage: 1998

Enjoyed at DHvL in early June 2012.

A: Medium burgundy. Single (khakis) fingernail head on gentle pour.

S: Mix of dark cherry, tannins, and oak. Not much else here, but very deep. Nose is quite inviting.

T: WOW - this beer is absolutely beautiful! Combination of cherry and oak. Touch of apple with hidden notes of faint vanilla too. Balance of sweet and sour is well executed and this beer is holding up quite well for being well older than a decade. Soft, smooth, and refreshing. Superb!

M: Medium bodied with low carbonation.

O: A thoroughly enjoyable beer! Very well-rounded and has withstood the age of time. A beautiful beer that I would highly recommend to anyone. Simply amazing! Wish I could drink this more often.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 10:26:30 | More by spdyfire83

womencantsail

California

3.9/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a cloudy dark amber color with a small off-white head. Much sweeter than I had expected. Lots of caramel and maple syrup. Heavy on the cherries, a bit of Maraschino cherry note to them. Oak and oxidation are also well represented. A moderate tartness, both lactic and acetic, with an almost cherry candy (Lifesavers) flavor. Fairly substantial caramel and maple sweetness on the palate as well. Nice, especially considering the beer is 16 years old.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 20:22:06 | More by womencantsail

CelticAleMan

California

4.25/5  rDev -5.3%

06-26-2012 16:43:53 | More by CelticAleMan

Fux

France

4.6/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

1998 vintage from de Heeren van Liedekercke

A: Dark red / brown with ruby glints. Off-white head which leaves a thin lingering collar. Very appetizing!

S: Powerful fruited scent, with cherries (tons of!), soaked red fruits, dark fruits, and also sherry, walnut wine.

T: Sour palate, red fruits (cherries, raspberries), woody, round, sweet with hints of chocolate. Delightful!

M: Mellow, smooth mouthfeel.

O: A sipper, a true gourmet, dessert bier!

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 22:28:25 | More by Fux

kscaldef

Oregon

4.75/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle at DHL on 6/7/2012. Listed as 1998 vintage (I'm not sure if this beer was made multiple times).

A: A very beautiful dark cherry wood color with a slight, irregular head.

S: Cherry, honey, dates, leather. Like a rich and smooth cherry syrup. Minimal sourness.

M: Nearly still, but retains some liveliness. Slight astringency on a long, long finish.

O: Best beer of the day, which is saying a lot given the company at DHL.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 21:42:47 | More by kscaldef

metalgdog

New York

4.53/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle at De Heeren poured into original Rodenbach Alexander glass

Pours a full one inch head that dissipates to an uneven frothiness. Has a nice dark amber color.

Smells of dense, dark pitted cherries that aromatically is beautiful on the nose.

Wow, the flavor is again a rich dark cherry that melds wonderfully with the red, malty ale background. This has held up incredibly well as I do not detect any oxidation.

A little thin on the mouth and not quite enough carbonation to hold it well while drinking but this is to be expected considering it is about 15 years old.

Overall this is a great beer that has aged gracefully. Would love to have tried it fresh but still definitely worth seeking out, or another great reason to go to De Heeren and trying it there.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 19:44:08 | More by metalgdog

oline73

Maryland

4.48/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I had this at de heren van liedekerke during our Europe trip. Poured from the bottle into an Alexander Rodenbach goblet. It made me laugh when I saw this bottle said best by 2000

Appearance: Pours a clear mahogany color with a half finger of fluffy off white carbonation that fades to a layer on top of the pour and leaves some lacing. Very good looking beer.

Smell: There is a slight tartness to this beer along with the sweet malt. I'm getting sour cherries.

Taste: This is a really smooth beer. There is a wonderful, natural cherry flavor throughout each sip. Sweet malt with a mild tartness. This beer is so smooth, still wonderful after all these years.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with very smooth carbonation and a finish that is just a bit dry.

Overall: This beer was wonderful. The cherry and the tartness were perfect together. Still holding up after all of this time, I would absolutely have another given the chance.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 02:02:47 | More by oline73