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

JustinMatthew

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Beer pours a very dark brown almost black color with a quickly disappearing head. Smells of very pungent souring grapes and a little funk. Tastes a lot like a Pinot noir upfront. Some apples and Sour grapes, a little oak, sour mash, a touch of vinegar all down the hatch. very well balanced. A good amount of carbonated mouth feel with a lingering grape taste. Love this one.

"75% young ale 25% ale matured for 2 years in oak vats"

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 16:20:28 | More by JustinMatthew

thefireman

Pennsylvania

4.68/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Listen, what can I add to what has been said? On draft at Monk's in a classic glass from the brewer. Reddish brown, almost opaque. Tastes sweet of cherries and/or raisons. Then tart. Hints of oak, tannic acid. Tart is the finish that sets this apart from every other experience. A home run as it were. Maybe not a session beer, but one I always look forward to at Monk's. This stuff is terriffic. Truely one of my favorites.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2005 03:08:11 | More by thefireman

HogHill

Massachusetts

4.68/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I purchased a 750 of the Rodenbach classic while in Buffalo, NY (at Premier Gourmet) over Thanksgiving. Poured this sour beauty into a Rapscallion snifter, the body was a lovely burgundy brown combination. A one finger light tan head topped it off.

While doing my best Paul Giamatti impersonation, I detect a distinct sour cherry aroma along with a spiciness. Some phenols too, just like most belgians. No doubt it's a sour ale!

To drink this Rodenbach is a great experience in beer drinking, an absolute genuine craft brew. Here is a brilliant combination of soured fruits (mostly cherry) backed by a mildy sweet maltiness with a spicy phenolic finish along for the ride. Feels medium bodied with a reduced carbonation.

I would have no problem polishing off mutliple 750s. I can taste why this brew has been around for centuries. Looking forward to see how the Rodenbach Grand Cru stacks up to the Classic.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2005 01:51:20 | More by HogHill

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.68/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Although it's not quite what I remember it to be in the early 80's (I'd imagine that I might be bolstering its memory as it was then one of the special beers of my youth), it's still a remarkable beer! And since I consider the Flander's red style to be my favorite style, that's nothing to sneeze at.

It pours a clear deep-mahogany red body with a full head of pillowy tan foam that holds remarkably well and leaves very nice lace about the glass.

The nose is woody, mildly fruity and subtly candyish-sweet with notes of red fruit and a flicker of tartness (red raspberry, sweet cherry, passion fruit, lemon zest). There's some wet straw and wool in there as well, but it's restrained and actually helps to enhance the other aromas.

In the mouth it's surprisingly supple and airy, leaving it unsurpassingly smooth across the palate with a delicate caress.

The tartness that's expected is clearly present, but not nearly in the same range that one might expect of a lambic... No, this is far more refined. And it's soft, dull caramel-accented maltiness has just enough sweetness to act as a swaddling blanket against it. Fruitiness then enters and adds great depth; all the while balancing it out with a low-key earthiness of wood and subtle "barnyard"/"horseblanket"/"wool".

It finishes dry with a note of woody/earthy/mustiness, some iron, and some residual dark fruit skins.

Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!

It pairs well with a wide range of soft, buttery and/or earthy Brie-type cheeses; and alongside a crusty loaf of whole wheat bread it makes a wonderful small meal. Some red grapes on the side only help to delineate it's character. Seafood is another choice to consider, as it's acidity clearly cuts through, and mussels in red sauce is a classic. Finally, it also works well at the very start of a meal as an apertif, or with salad (think vinaigrette and soft cheese); and at the end of the meal as a palate cleanser.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2006 04:57:55 | More by NeroFiddled

cjgator3

Florida

4.68/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a very dark red color with a tan head. Smell is tart and sour cherries. Taste is surprisingly crisp and refreshing! Sour and tart fruit dominate the taste that finishes incredibly dry and crisp. This brew has an extremely high drinkability. Even though I recommend the Rodenbach Grand Cru slightly higher, this is an absolutely wonderful brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2006 03:40:51 | More by cjgator3

laintringulis

Ohio

4.68/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served in a wide mouth goblet from Eulogy's in Philadelphia. Pours a dark cranberry color with thick foamy head that thins out quickly but laces nicely. Light body, medium carbonation.

Smells strongly of apple cider, with a sweet caramel smell and some spiciness.

Has an initial sour/tart apple taste with a pleasant dryness that turns more sweet with a caramel maltiness in the middle. It finished with a tart cherry like back taste and moderate dryness.

Very crisp and refreshing. For a light bodied beer this has an exceptional fullness to the mouthfeel without being oily or filmy. Easily sessionable. I could drink this stuff all day long. It has a really nice tie between the mouthfeel, complexity of tastes, and drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2006 12:59:44 | More by laintringulis

Beertracker

Oklahoma

4.68/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Rodenbach Classic (Red) should be served at (47-53F) from a traditional flute or stemmed goblet. The Red (Classic) is a combination of 75% fresh ale & 25% barrel aged ale and pours up very softly with plenty of Belgian lace. The translucent reddish-light brown body is offset beautifully by a fluffy, cream colored head. The nose is ripe with fruity complexity and some sweet candy apple undertones. The classic Flanders aroma has some subtle oak character, light oxidation and a noteably sharp sourness. Hints of aged Balsamic vinegar, cordial cherries, red currants and fresh green apples spring to mind. The first sip creates an initial sourness upon the palate that seems to shock every taste bud on the tongue! Once the initial acidity fades, some sweet caramel apple and bitter almond characters emerge intermingled with the sharp sourness. The winelike finish is decidely tart, dry (oaky & tannic) and slightly astringent. The medium body is alive with a zesty carbonation that creates some prickly carbonic acid, as it glides past the lips.

This is undoubtedly the quintessential classic for a Flanders Red Ale. I'm very pleased to see this world class beer make its long awaited return to the United States. However, I feel that the "rebirth" of this classic has come at some cost, as it has lost some of the earthy "wildness" and complexity that it previously held. This highly regarded Flemish Sour Ale is still one of my all-time favorites and I highly recommend that if you're a sour beer fan that you seek some out! Enjoy Rodenbach Red as an apertif or try it paired with some blue cheese stuffed crabcakes. For a traditional treat... try enjoying a glass with your next breakfast or brunch? Here's to the "Burgundy of Belgium!"

CHEERS! Beertracker

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2006 06:00:13 | More by Beertracker

allengarvin

Texas

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

Ah, Rodenbach. It's been about 8 years since I last got a hold of any of this. 750ml bottle, served into a tall chalice. Lovely reddish-brown color with a solid finger of foam atop it. Aroma is particular appetizing: sharp, coppery scent with sweet malt and a lot of fruitiness. Complex mix of flavors: tangy fruit (unripe grape, or green apple), smooth very very lightly caramel malt, a little spicy, slightly metallic taste at the back of the tongue. Finish is particularly tart and vinous. Beautifully smooth texture with unusual amount of tannic mouthfeel.

This is definitely a "Desert Island" beer, one of the very great beers one should always have around. Yet it's so hard to find in parts of the US.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2006 02:00:25 | More by allengarvin

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

Thur123

Georgia

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

The only date on the bottle is 28-07-11
This brew pours a deep (well duh) brownish red color with at least two fingers of light khaki colored head. Fades slowly in large bursts. The smell is tart, and like vinegar. Red wine kicks up in the nose as well. Smells very spot on for the style.

Glug glug glug

The flavor is crisp and refreshing with the sweetness up front of juicy cherries and berries finishing with a dry brut like acidity. Very mellow as far as the sharpness of the tart side is concerned. There is a chance this is almost four years old now so maybe the age has mellowed the whole thing out a bit. Very juicy tasting up front with the dry tartness rounding out the end, but not in a way that overrides the sweetness. This brew ends more balanced than I remember other examples of the style ending. All and all this is simply amazing as far as texture and drinkability go. The mouthfeel is only slightly chalky and is far from thin or heavy or watery. The drinkability is like Powerade when you're really thirsty. (I can drink Powerade pretty damn fast hungover). Super tasty. Soda like fizziness as well as a bit of brown ale mellow malts too.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2011 00:52:02 | More by Thur123

KTCamm

New Jersey

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

Champagne style bottle poured into a duvel glass.

Pours very dark brownish red with wisps of foam. Nice lacing. Berry tartness in the nose. Cherries.

Sweet open, sour finish taste. Quite fruity in between. Grapes, subtle wine as well. Carbonation felt at the finish. Very even keeled. Tartness tasty but not ovpowering.

Really delicious and a great beer. Loved it.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 18:52:46 | More by KTCamm

KickbacksSteve

Florida

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

On draft at brewery. .25 l into Rodenbach tulip.  Dark ruby.  Off white head, soapy lacing. Aroma, vinegar, sour. Mouth puckering, biting in the back of the mouth and top of throat. Smooth finish, Michael Jackson called this refreshing,I guess for the first time I understand what he meant. Delicious. 

Serving type: on-tap

02-29-2012 00:31:05 | More by KickbacksSteve

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

4.65/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: poured from a 330 mL bottle into a pint glass, red brown colored almost like cherry cola with a short red tan head that dissipates quickly leaving little lacing, clear

S: sweet and sour fruit aroma, sour cherries, plums

T: very sour up front with complex flavors of malt, fruit, and yeast, slight bitter hop flavor in middle combined with a sweetness from the malt, followed by a sour finish, cherry, oak, tart apple

M: feel is silky smooth with just a bit of carbonation, good lingering sour aftertaste

O: if you are in to Belgian sours you will like this beer, sweet and sour elements are well balanced

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 18:48:59 | More by M_C_Hampton

kmpitz2

Tennessee

4.63/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a deep amber to red color with a 2 finger head that falls to a solid coat over top. Nose is so very nice and sweet with tartness to balance it very well. Good notes of cherry and acetone sweetness (I always liked the smell of acetone) with a sharp tartness that is so nice. Flavor is very well balanced, with the sweet cherry hitting first followed by a moderate sharp sourness that turns to a light residual sweetness on the finish. Very clean and incredibly tasty. Feel is on the light end of moderate with a full moderate carbonation. Very light and clean, keeping it disappearing from my glass at a high clip. A very tasty and drinkable beer. I like the balance of flavors and I think the nose is even better. A wonderful brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2006 02:25:06 | More by kmpitz2

geexploitation

Indiana

4.63/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this years ago and didn't care for it. Maybe my palate's expanded since then, because my appreciation of this has grown considerably. From a 750 mL cork finish bottle, this pours a pink-tinged amber with a considerable head that leaves lacing on my Duvel glass. Held up to the light, this beer looks like a stage lighting gel. The nose is huge, with a base of vinegar overlaid with fruit notes like Juicyfruit gum and some low barnyard smells. The taste is initally a blast of fruity sweetness. This is follwed by a blast of sourness and carbonation at the back of the tongue, then a metallic aftertaste. Mouthfeel is quite effervescent. Drinkability is a bit low when consumed by itself, but imagine that this would be divine paired with the right food.

Overall I'm really impressed. This is one of those unique beer gems that isn't "normal" and is all the more amazing for it. We wouldn't want everything to taste the same, would we?

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2006 02:48:32 | More by geexploitation

Budlum

Maryland

4.63/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 750 mL bottle in to a goblet. A somewhat firm, tan head that dissipates in about two minutes leaving nice lacing throughout the drink. Colors are light brown, almost cloudy with plenty of red hues. A goblet with a smaller diameter would show more of the red characteristics.

The aromas are immediately floral. Sour apples, fresh raspberries, hints of passion fruits and a slight hefeweiss yeast smell. Hyacynthe in the mix as well?

The flavors are noticeably tart, as expected. However, the tartness never becomes overwhelming. Fresh sour fruits, hints of juniper and sweet raisins as it warms. Light in body yet powerful in flavor. A slight saltiness as well as vanilla tones can be found in the finish. There is no presence of alcohol as epected from the low ABV.

Incredible mouthfeel with plenty of effervesence. A great balance of complexity and a classic representation of the style.

I've had this on draft a few times and noticed that tartness was much more apparent. I should also note that the bottle reviewed has been maturing for about four months. Earlier samples from the case had increased tartness but the same characteristics elsewhere.

For muggy summer evenings, forget the IPA's and wheat beers. This is the one! Very refreshing and ridiculously drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2006 22:20:32 | More by Budlum

timtheenchanta

South Carolina

4.63/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Deep ruby color that may as well be brown topped by a light tan one finger head that laces delicately down the glass. A thin layer of foam stays on top for the duration of the drink.

Gorgeous nose that smells like ripe cherries, muscadine grapes, expected tart smell with some moldy oranges. There's a slight moldy hay/wet straw aroma followed by a subtle woody character.

Lively flavor tingles the tongue with sweet fruitiness (grapes, cherries, lemons) balanced out by a beautiful sour/vinegar profile with some horseblanket/hay smell.

This one has a very crisp light feel that delights and brings me back for more. The taste is strong and hangs with you so I'm not sure that I could have more than one in an evening despite the low alcohol level which would otherwise leave it very drinkable.

A wonderful beer and a great example of the style. It doesn't have the slightly metallic taste that some others in the style show.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2006 14:17:31 | More by timtheenchanta

SurlyDuff

Oregon

4.63/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reddish brown with some real nice bright red highlights when holding up to the light. Good frothy tan head.

I love this style and jump at and Fladers Reds I can get ahold of.

Sourness in the aroma, but alas, there is also a candy sweetness and a woody earthiness. In more than one sniff I caught Sour Patch Kids.

Smooth dry mouthfeel and a great complex explosion of flavor. A mild malt presense balances it out nicely, and helps to draw the distinction between it and a lambic. Tart apple, cherries, crisp burnt sugar (without the real sweetness), and a really really clean finish. Aftertaste has the amazing ability of making itself even more desirous. I couldn't put my glass down. When I wasn't drinknig it, I had my nose burried in the top of my flute glass.

Wonderful brew!

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2008 22:10:00 | More by SurlyDuff

westweasel

Illinois

4.63/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a Weyerbacher tulip glass.

Appearance - A very dark almost opaque dark brown liquid with a thin slightly off-white head. When held up to the light in this tulip glass, the beer is a dark, clear ruby red.
A very cool looking beer.

Aroma - A mixture of sour cherries, toffee, leather, and charred oak.

Taste - Tart cherries, a bit of toffee, a bit of horse blanket, followed by a tart, dry finish.

MF - Medium / thin with high carbonation.

Drinkability - This is a very enjoyable sour beer. Sour enough to accentuate the fruit flavors, but probably not sour enough to turn off people who aren't sour fans.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2010 22:50:13 | More by westweasel

Bearski-Beerski

4.63/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Consumed: During this review.
Appearance: Bloody water with just enough visible carbonation.
Smell: Instant tart and sour cherry/strawberry leading to the unveiling of a harmonious nutty oak scent.
Taste: Almost identical to the way it smells. Tart + sour cherry/strawberry, followed by a mild oak after taste. Then, a light carbonation tingle.
Mouthfeel: Quite light in body(not my thing, but with this low enough of an ABV...it works). Rather silky as well, except for the slight tingle.
Overall: I found it hard not to rate this a perfect score. The only thing I thought would of made it a five could be a more full bodied mouth feel and maybe age it towards having a little more oak flavor(I'm over opinionated at best). Otherwise this brew was exceptional in general, but especially for the price.
Stay Fiscal My Friends!

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 07:02:12 | More by Bearski-Beerski

jreitman

California

4.6/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A great beer. Nice sweet/sour flavor though not as much as their Grand Cru (understandably). Much more easily drinkable than the GC, but also less flavorful. Overall a very nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2002 21:09:31 | More by jreitman

saltydog

New York

4.6/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was, amazingly enough, a bottle from 1988, served at Kroegske. Appearance: Mild head, bright dark red color, very clear. Aroma: very strong sourness, still enough malt to balance it out, with an incredibly smooth balance. Flavor: Tart and very mellow. Malty is subdued, and vinous flavors. Dinkability is dominated by tart finish. The sourness wonderfully masks the age; the only way you would have any idea how old it is would be that they don't make it this well anymore!

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2003 01:46:28 | More by saltydog

rye726

Colorado

4.6/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Deep brown color with some amber hues. Silky tan head with good lace.

Lots of tart cherries and raspberries with sweet candy malts. A faint woody aroma as well.

Again a nice sweetness up front with a tart finish. Sour pitted fruits with caramel malts and a soft earthy flavor.

Start bery full and tappers well to a fairly dry finish. Good amount of carbonation adds to the flavor profile.

This is a wonerfull example of the style. Quite complex, yet well balanced and pairs well with many dishes. Best with some strong cheese, nuts and fresh fruit. Also a nice palate cleanser between courses for any fine meal.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2008 00:54:18 | More by rye726

oggg

California

4.6/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750mL champagne-style corked bottle

brown color, nice fizzy off white head that subsides quickly

aroma is mild, with just a touch of sourness

taste starts slightly sweet, with fine bubbled carbonation, then layers of cherry tartness that level off to a dry finish. hiccups of sourness remain. Barely detectable hop bitterness. Light to medium body.

Overall: can I say that this is a beautiful session flemish red? It doesn't knock you around to extremes, it just gives you a quaffable ale with an irresistable tartness.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2009 04:44:59 | More by oggg

Dukeofearl

California

4.58/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle from the recent Duvel import program to the US. $8.99 (?) at Hi Time Wine in Costa Mesa, CA in February 2008. I have had this lovely beer many times before, mostly in Belgium and the UK, this is my first time when I can actually review it.

Pours a reddish brown, with nice red highlights and a thin creamy tan head. Aroma is where this one really starts- oak, sour cherries (but some sweetness too) and an indescribable tone- the one that makes it a Flanders Red Ale. Sorry, words elude me.

Flavor is a sharp cherry woven with woody and earthy notes, but even so, cleaner than I remember in the tastings a few years back. A solid creaminess offsets sharp fruit notes. Wow, a lot going on here.

I have read many reviews/posts/forums/etc. about how this isn't the beer it once was. That may be true, but I never had that version. All I can say is, holy cow, I love this beer!

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2008 01:23:03 | More by Dukeofearl