Rodenbach Classic (Red) - Brouwerij Rodenbach N.V.

mdaschaf

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at the Pickled Pig Pub in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

A: The beer was a deep red/brown with a one finger tan head on top. Not much head retention and some spotty lacing that forms and is gone rather quickly.

S: Slightly tart dark fruit, some cherries, raspberries, and bruised apples. There is a bit of oak as well. Slightly acetic.

T: Nice sour cherry flavor, very nice level of acidity, with just a touch of vinegar. There is some sweet malt to balance things out. There is a bit of a nutty component as well.

M: Medium bodied with low to medium carbonation. Very smooth and incredibly easy drinking.

O: A great beer, very nice flavor profile with a perfect level of tartness. Would have certainly ordered another if not for the price. Something I will probably grab some bottles of.

Serving type: on-tap

07-24-2011 21:20:56 | More by mdaschaf

harrymel

Washington

3.13/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From notes at bier baron in dc.

A: dark red, excellent clarity. Rim of beige foam spotty lacing.

S: wood, grapes, tartness, cherries. Not very strong or complex.

T: it's a standard Flanders red. A bit too sweet for my preferences. Wood. Cherry. Slightly tart.

M: medium bodied with low carb. A really nice creamy feel to this which matches the beer, not the style IMO. Nice though.

O: not a great Flanders red at all for me. Pretty standard and a little too sweet.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2011 08:05:45 | More by harrymel

smakawhat

Maryland

4.38/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured on tap into a snifter at ChurchKey DC.

A nice light brown head, gives way to a nice simple collar. Body is a reddish brown slightly opaque body. Real sticky pock marked lacing on the glass.

Smell is an apple cider crisp and malt chew, with tart orange and marmalade. Bretty sour and mild sort of... wine crushed grapes dregs or something, it smells almost like a winery.

Taste has a great apple chewyness and faint cider quality. Very light bodied it seems with dank must on the finish with just a hint of baked apple and bread.

Supper drinkable and a great feeling tasting beer. I am not a cider fan but this is almost a cider persons beer for someone who prefers beer more than cider, bringing in all the good qualities of cider into a beer right here, with just a touch of Saison brett and goodness.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2011 23:28:26 | More by smakawhat

oline73

Maryland

4.08/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had this on-tap at the Frisco Taphouse, poured into a goblet.

Appearance: Pours a mahogany color, not cloudy at all, there is some light coming through. There is just a trace of head.

Smell: Sour fruity vinegar along with some malt sweetness.

Taste: The sourness dominates the taste a lot less than the smell, but it remains on the tongue throughout the whole sip. There is a tart fruit note, think raspberry or cranberry. The finish also has some sweetness from the malt. The flavor of this beer is quite smooth.

Mouthfeel: Medium body and mild carbonation. The carbonation feels quite appropriate for this beer. The finish has a mild dryness to it.

Overall: This is a very balanced anad smooth beer. I could have a few of these in a session, the sourness isn't too overpowering. I'm definitely open to having this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2011 02:09:04 | More by oline73

Mosley1212

Florida

4.22/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(From notes I took over spring break)

Had on tap at Brick Store Pub in Decatur, GA. It was an '08 Vintage.

A--Poured a ruby amber red with a thick, rich vanilla colored head that beautifully foamed and lasted a good long while.

S--The smell was of a sweet vinegar up front with a hint of fruit on the back end.

T--My face instantly puckered when I took my first sip. This beer was described on the menu as "balsamic vinegar" and it did not disappoint. I absolutely loved the sourness of the beer.

M--Light bodied with a mild carbonated feel. It was a great feel in the mouth and it left me feeling refreshed.

O--Overall, this was one of the best beers I have ever tried. It was my first sour, and after trying this I am going to try many, many more.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2011 18:23:42 | More by Mosley1212

kwjd

Ontario (Canada)

4.35/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap somewhere in California. Reviewing this from my notes. Pours a dark brown colour with hints of amber. Thin off-white head, leaving nice lacing down the glass. Smells of sour cherry and sweet brown sugar. Flavour has a really nice tartness to it, complemented by the sweetness. This is insanely delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2011 20:38:54 | More by kwjd

jsanford

Georgia

3.73/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Distiller in Savannah, GA on 1/27/11

A - Dark reddish-brown with a 2-inch fluffy white head. Very nice retention, leaves soapy lacing.
S - Smells of sweet cherry candy, brown sugar, and a slight whiff of red wine vinegar.
T - More sweet cherry with a grainy toasted cereal malt backbone and a touch of vanilla.
M - Slick, with a medium-thin body and low carbonation.
D - Very drinkable, almost like a cherry soda.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2011 01:51:46 | More by jsanford

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Max's tonight.

The beer pours a reddish brown color with good head retention and lacing. Don't get a whole lot on the nose, but what I get is attractive. I get considerable cherry and strawberry, along with some very light vinegar. The flavor profile replicates the nose pretty closely, though it's a bit more sweet and fruity than I expected (a good thing in my book). There's some light sour funk in the finish, but it's very light (thankfully), and helps to balance and counter the sweet fruit pretty nicely. Mouthfeel is no more than medium bodied, and the beer finishes very cleanly and well. Drinkability is quite good, with the alcohol no more than an afterthought.

Very easy to take...

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2010 23:47:52 | More by johnmichaelsen

johncampbell

Kentucky

5/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer changed my life, or at least my drinking habits. It is my favorite beer (and brewery) in the world. I gave this beer all 5's because, in my opinion, it can't get any better than this. "Classic" is an understatement, this is the epitome of a Flemish Sour.

Beautiful dark amber-brown color with a nice cream-colored head and elegant lacing.

Aroma of tart fruit, wine vinegar, funk, and faint oak with flavors much the same:

puckering sour funkiness like tart cherry, sour apple, toasted wood, sweet malt, and horse blanket blended together in a dirty bucket. Delicious! Bites you right behind the ears.

It's very effervescent, but medium-bodied with a rich, creamy mouthfeel.

The most drinkable beer I know. I never get tired of it and I can never get enough.

The only place I've ever had it on tap was at the New Albanian Brewing Company Public House (formerly known as Rich O's Public House)

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2010 01:59:20 | More by johncampbell

glid02

Georgia

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Porter in Atlanta.

Pours a clear brownish-amber color with a one-finger cream-colored head. The head recedes into a thin layer on top leaving decent lacing.

Smells of mild vinegar and good amounts of tart cherry flavors. Very light hints of oak aromas waft out every now and then.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Mild dark malt flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by tart cherry flavors. Midway through the sip very light hints of oak work their way into things, carrying through to a mildly tart ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with smooth carbonation.

Drinkability is also good. I finished my glass without any problems and could have another.

Overall I remember this one being more tart than it was here, it's a bit too subdued for the style. Still, it's a well made beer that's worth a shot, especially for those just getting into sours.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2010 21:16:56 | More by glid02

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a tumbler at ChurchKey.

Finally, a place that has this on tap so that I don't have to buy a bottle (I'm cheap). You rock, CK! It pours a seemingly clear, though rather dark, ruby topped by over a finger of tan foam. The nose comprises light vinegar, mandarin oranges, pineapple, maple syrup, sour grapes, and raspberries. The taste begins with some o' those sour grapes and vinegar notes, followed by some wheat, lightly roasted malts, and nutmeg. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sticky finish. Overall, a tasty Flemish offering, but not necessarily something I see myself drinking too often.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2010 04:49:35 | More by TMoney2591

drabmuh

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Never had this on tap before. Beer is dark red and mostly clear with no head, no lacing and minimal carbonation. Looks fine.

Aroma is a little sweet and mildly acetic. I was hoping for more acid but its the young one so I guess I don't get that.

Beer is light in body and mildly acetic, sweet on the front end and slightly tart on the back. Its highly drinkable and really nice. The other is considerably more sour but this is a perfectly serviceable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2010 18:29:04 | More by drabmuh

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

You know you're in luck when you walk into a pizzeria and see they have this beer and the Ommegang Witte on tap, and a part of their $5 slice-and-a-pint special. I then found out that it was $7 for a slice and a 9oz pour, but oh well, that still is a great deal.

The pour is solid, mildly hazy deep red with a thin beige head that vanishes quite rapidly. The nose is quite excellent, a beautiful blend of vanilla, brown sugar, cherries, red wine and a little vinegar. Tannin character is quite low, this is fruity, tart and quite vinous. These flavors are replicated on the palate, opening vinous along with vanilla, cherries, brown sugar, and drying on the finish with a some vinegar. Medium-light in body with a moderate level of carbonation, this beer is just very very enjoyable and very refreshing. I've had aged bottles of this, and I have to admit, I like this better fresh.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2010 02:29:20 | More by DefenCorps

DmanGTR

New York

3.73/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from notes (10/15/09) from Belga Cafe in DC.

A - very clear, garnet red with 1" off-white head. Dimished to a thin bubbly cap after a few minutes. 4.0

S - lots of red wine aroma. Tart and acidic, with a touch of funk. Hint of oak and relatively clean. 4.0

T - Not as pronounced as the aroma and the red wine/grape taste is prominent. Well balanced but is quite subdued in this department. 3.5

M - mildly watery. Not as full bodied as the aged version in the bottle. Smooth carbonation. 3.5

D - quite good. 4.0

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2010 15:52:51 | More by DmanGTR

david18

New York

4.65/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I was so happy to see this beer on tap! It was as the Amsterdam Ale House in Manhattan and almost no one knew what a big deal it was. Served in a custom Rodenbach 10 oz glass. Aroma and flavor are intensely sour with great malt character.

It's great to have a beer with so much character and complexity with a session-level alcohol by volume.

Eight dollars for ten ounces and worth every penny of it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-22-2009 22:34:16 | More by david18

ryantupy

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a hazy red color with a quickly dissolving head .

S - This beer smells of oak with hints of cherries and spice.

T - Very tart beer with a mild oak smothiness followed by cherries and spice in the backdrop.

M - Tart at first but once you warm up to it, it is smooth and tasty.

D - Great session beer!

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2008 15:39:30 | More by ryantupy

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at Summits in Snellville, GA a while ago. Poured a ruby red tinted with dark brown. Slight head that faded to a ring. Quite acetic on the nose and with aromas of muscadine grapes, tart currants, and some muskiness as well as vinegar. Taste is similar, and and quite tart on the finish but slightly more mellow up front. There is a nice bitterness that helps temper the acetic qualities as well, and also some tart raspberry throughout. Mouthfeel is smooth and sour, leading this to be quite a refreshing beer. Not as complex as the Grand Cru, but simple and quenching.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2008 13:56:52 | More by Georgiabeer

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark ruby hued brown that has no head. Nose is a pretty smooth mix of wood and fruit. Flavor has that sour tone to it and definite fruit and wood as well. Smooth feel with a low but biting carbonation. Nice to drink, but you'd have to be able to appreciate the style to really enjoy this one.

Serving type: on-tap

03-18-2008 16:14:57 | More by RblWthACoz

MiScusi

California

4.22/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Lucky Baldwin's in Pasadena for their 9th annual Belgian beer festival.

Poured a dark reddish brown. The smell is mildly tart. The taste is also tart with some red grape fruitiness. The mouthfeel is smoother and less spritzy than their Grand Cru. This beer is not as intense as the Grand Cru and is a fine sour beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2008 04:17:55 | More by MiScusi

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

2.7/5  rDev -33.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

ok, before i get panned for the low scores, let me just say that either the rest of you are lemmings scoring it high because you think you should, or you just enjoy this really unique, challenging style of beer. i wanted to like this beer. i tried to like this beer. i didn't like this beer. it poured beautifully: on-tap at 3F's pub, a deep reddish amber, mostly clear, with a super-thick, rocky, creamy, big-ass lasting pinkish head and lacing. nose was of cherries/berries and acetic sourness along with some musty barnyardy aromas. taste was sweet upfront dominated by sourness. kinda like drinking turned/old juice. light bodied, spritzy, with a drying, sour finish. tastes more like a sparkling rose wine that beer. no hop presence per the style. this might go well with a cherry pie.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2008 05:44:37 | More by MrMcGibblets

kleffman

California

4.08/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Some of this finally made its way to SD and I was fortunate enough to get a pour of it at O'Briens. Poured a very reddish brown with very little head and a light carbonation. Only a slight lacing. The aroma immediately hit me with cherries, both sour and fresh. There is a definite vinegar presence but not overpowering like some examples of the style. Possible hints of oak as well. The taste is incredible. Dominated by tart cherries, some vanilla and minimal vinegar that only helps the balance. Also some ripe apple. The mouthfeel is nice and coating, allowing even the smallest sip to linger. It's actually a very refreshing example of this style and the more I get to know it the Flanders Red is becoming more of a friend than an acquaintance. Really want to try the Grand Cru now as I heard it's much better.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2008 17:03:41 | More by kleffman

dfillius

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Chimay goblet at O'Brien's Pub.

A: Dark reddish brown. Onlythe tiniest hint of a ring of lace.
S: Fruit - cherry and apple. Tart - is that even a smell? Mint gum?
T: Tart - fruity and dry like a geueze but not that tart. Kind of like New Glarus Sour Brown mixed with their Belgian Red. It finishes bready around the sides of my tongue.
M: Tingly! Finishes thick in my throat like milk or Sunny D. A bit numbing for my tongue like cloves.
D: Delicious, I could have another, but it isn't really a session beer, especially not at $7 a glass.

Serving type: on-tap

01-18-2008 06:00:13 | More by dfillius

Halcyondays

California

4.45/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Beachwood BBQ, in Seal Beach, CA, this is the first time I have ever seen this for sale in CA, so I jumped at the chance to try it,

A: Pours a dark, maroon red, with a small white/off-white head.

S: Sour funk, though not as funky as a lambic, more of a lactic acidity, with some cherry and strawberry, and oak.

T: Taste is a fascinating blend of oak and fruit mixed with lactic acid. It can get a little to vinegary at times but overall, I was enthralled with its upfront sour character which evolved into a malty sweet berry flavour, definitely worth the wait.

M: Sour obviously, lactic, vineagry, acetic, but very refreshing.

D: I really dug this beer, would like to have it again, but it was $7 for about 8 oz. so it will have to be a rare treat.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2008 01:16:46 | More by Halcyondays

therica

Maryland

1.53/5  rDev -62.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

I'm transferring in my review which had accidentally been done on the unfortunately now-retired Alexander Rodenbach, which apparently was a far better beer than this mass-produced Classic Red version.

5Jan2006 Leuven Belgium, on-tap (and regretting it since!)

I had this in a bar in Leuven Belgium, on-tap. The bartendress warned me that "you either love it or you hate it."

I noted that the head dissipated quickly and disappointingly as she drafted it, and was nearly gone after she sat it in front of me.

Appearance-- like lemon juice.

Nose-- phew-- like apple-cider vinegar.

First taste-- like slightly fermented apple-cider vinegar.

Next taste was a good-sized healthy gulp. My guts instantly warned me. I continued through the mug, laughing that I was drinking cold slightly-carbonated not overly pleasant lemon-apple-vinegar.

My opinion never changed. Well, actually after about 10 minutes when I became severely nauseated and spent half an hour throwing up (which I hadn't done in 10 years), then watching the ceiling spin for another 6 hours, my opinion was modestly worsened, regarding this concoction.

Note that their advertising slogan states (as did the bartendress), "You either love it or you hate it."

I would also note, the barmistress stated firmly that the alcohol content was 4.8 percent, and not 5.0 percent as advertised. She knew her stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2008 23:30:20 | More by therica

auxiliary

Rhode Island

2.65/5  rDev -34.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

If you are a lambic lover, you might like this.
Remind me Cantallion. This beer was very sour and bitter. Good thing I was given a small sample of this from the tap. Dark reddish color, no head on this one, had about 5 sips of it, and that was the end of this.
If you are big on wine, and sour patch kids, then you are going to like this. Looking at the review, people do like it. Hats off to you.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2008 02:04:22 | More by auxiliary