2008 Vintage Oak Aged Ale (Barrel No. 96) - Brouwerij Rodenbach N.V.

smakawhat

Maryland

4.7/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I have been waiting for this beer for I don't know how long. Poured from the bottle into an official Rodenbach Tulip glass.

A nice classic red brown, rusty, opaque, the classic Flanders color. Some yeast flakes towards the bottom. A finger of caramel yellow and creamy head is made on the pour, but doesn't hold, instead a nice puck and collar is kept all throughout drinking. THere is no lacing.

The bouquet is classic and typical Rodenbach, sour cherries, some tart heat and wild ale yeast things going on, It's a little subdued it seems though from the oak aging.

Taste is just magic. The wonderful mix of chewy malt and fruit bowl cherries, a perfect balance between sweet and sour. Rich round character, mellow mouthfeel, there's even some noticeable vanilla in the swallow. Mild malt, toffee and caramel mix so nicely with the tart and sour angle. Vinous texture matching with some fizz so nicely.

Overall, just a great fantastic beer. I feel bad, cause now it's all gone, I want another one!

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 00:20:24 | More by smakawhat

DeschutesFan

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +3%

05-31-2013 05:31:33 | More by DeschutesFan

CloudStrife

New York

4.39/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

750ml split and poured into a snifter. Best by 09/08/13 per bottle.

A: Pours a hazy light ruby brown with a minimal white head that quickly fleets to the edges of the glass. Some specs of lacing. Not much visible carbonation.

S: Oaky and sweet fruits hit right off the bat. Cherry and strawberry come to mind. Reminiscent of a sour candy there is a good deal of tart sharpness.

T: Very smooth, rich and complex flavor. Blended very nicely it has the characteristic flanders red flavor with a bit more sweetness and oak. Sour is there but wont overpower the taste. More oak flavor than the standard Rodenbach, Cherry comes through the most fruit wise.

M: Low carbonation, medium body with a clean finish. Makes you pucker up a bit but doesn't leave the tongue too dry.

Overall a very smooth and delicious beer. Astonishingly more developed the regular Rodenbach. If you are fortunate to still find a bottle give this one a go. Oak is the standout in this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 01:52:53 | More by CloudStrife

BelgianBeerPope

Belgium

4/5  rDev -8.5%

05-11-2013 12:55:35 | More by BelgianBeerPope

Bassbeer24

New York

4.25/5  rDev -2.7%

04-26-2013 23:47:39 | More by Bassbeer24

mjtiernan

New York

4.5/5  rDev +3%

04-20-2013 02:18:23 | More by mjtiernan

iL0VEbeer

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +3%

03-24-2013 14:52:40 | More by iL0VEbeer

nrs207

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -8.5%

03-24-2013 12:41:08 | More by nrs207

acurtis

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -14.2%

03-23-2013 16:19:36 | More by acurtis

HopsintheSack

California

4/5  rDev -8.5%

03-03-2013 16:05:24 | More by HopsintheSack

Jspriest

Maryland

4/5  rDev -8.5%

02-25-2013 22:10:11 | More by Jspriest

drummermattie02

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -2.7%

02-15-2013 22:24:25 | More by drummermattie02

Googs

New York

4.75/5  rDev +8.7%

01-21-2013 16:39:58 | More by Googs

Twig2848

New York

5/5  rDev +14.4%

01-21-2013 02:07:13 | More by Twig2848

dfernandez77

California

4.5/5  rDev +3%

01-20-2013 02:29:55 | More by dfernandez77

kaseydad

California

4.38/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Been hanging onto this for a couple years. Down she goes....

Pours a murky brown with a nice beige head that stays strong throughout. Light lacing. Crazy clear bottom too!! No sludge.

The aroma is nicely oaky with light vinegar in the background. Raspberries. Strawberries. And the ever popular funk. Really nice smell on this.

The taste is slightly tart. Kinda like a first bite on an almost ripe raspberry. Frutier than I expected but VERY refreshing with a nice acidic blend that shows itself but does not overpower the beer. Comes alive on the tongue with each sip. It says on the bottle there is a sweet/sour balance and that is right on track. Amazingly smooth and drinkable. Long aftertaste that salivates my buds for more.

Bubbly with a dry finish.

Honestly I don't think Rodenbach can make a bad beer. This could satisfy a hardcore Flanders fan and also be a perfect brew for newcomers to the style. Again, not hugly funky or sour and not overly sweet. Perfectly blended. They hit this one outta the park. Fantastic stuff.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 02:02:57 | More by kaseydad

Gotti311

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev -2.7%

01-02-2013 21:58:05 | More by Gotti311

UWBadgerFan4Life

Wisconsin

4.75/5  rDev +8.7%

12-28-2012 06:25:47 | More by UWBadgerFan4Life

sendbeer

Georgia

5/5  rDev +14.4%

12-09-2012 19:49:05 | More by sendbeer

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

4.35/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Ordered at Tribeca Grill in Manhattan.

Pours amber-brown with slight head that dissipates quickly.

Smell is tart lemon and cherries.

Taste is tart lemon up front with plum and cherries. Biscuity malt comes in. Mild bitterness in finish.

Mouthfeel is smooth with just a mild puckering tartness, but easy to drink.

Overall I thought this spectacular for the style. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 16:27:54 | More by TrappistJohnMD

mdfb79

New York

4.33/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From 11/21/12 notes. On tap at Rattle n Hum in NYC, leftovers from theur "Rare Beer Night". Served in a tulip.

a - Pours a hazy, dark reddish brown color with one inch of lightly reddish white head and moderate carbonation evident. Looks like the normal Rodenbach.

s - Smells of tart dark fruits, sour cherries, raspberries, oak, acidic, vinegar, fruity malts. Super tart and sour, the nose is pretty nice.

t - Tastes of sour cherries, tart dark fruits, oak, berries, lactic, vanilla, vinegar, and fruity malts. Taste is much, much more tart than the nose, and there is a lot of vinegar, but still a lot of fruit too which makes it great. More oak in the taste, a step up from the nose.

m - Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. Mouthfeel has high acidity.

o - Overall I thought this was a great flanders. I used to see this on the shelf and it was one of those beers I just never got around to, but if I still see it in NJ I will definitely buy a bottle to hold onto now. A great sour flanders with load of tart dark fruits and vinegar. If you like the normal Rodenbach you'll probably love this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 15:17:26 | More by mdfb79

bastu

Tennessee

4.75/5  rDev +8.7%

11-14-2012 08:36:00 | More by bastu

THEGENERALISMO

3.75/5  rDev -14.2%

11-13-2012 23:05:49 | More by THEGENERALISMO

kojevergas

California

3.75/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Rodenbach Vintage 2008. 96. 7.00% ABV. Served on-draught into a 30cl tulip at Kulminator in Antwerp. Cost was a mere 3.50 euro. Reviewed from notes taken July 2011.

A: Pours a three finger head of lovely brilliant cream, magnificent thickness, and incredible retention for the fairly high ABV. Head retained longer than I could wait to drink it. Dark nontransparent red colour. Very appealing.

Sm: Light appealing fruit esters: raspbery and cherry fruit comes through. Floral hops. A pretty strong aroma. I'm excited to try this.

T: Glorious fruit esters - definitely raspberry and cherry, with bright amber hops that refresh rather than deprive. A well built foundation of strong fully expressive malts and barley supports the fruit. Complex, layered, and very well balanced. Sweet but not overly so. Very well built for the style. Some subtle sour notes come in on the climax, but even sour haters would still like this beer. I quite fancy it. Flavorful and interesting.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Not too thin as with many fruity beers. Especially older ones. Sits the flavours of the body, though I do wish it were a bit smoother.

Dr: Serve cold. Preferably in a tulip not a goblet. She's above average ABV, drinks easy, and tastes delightful. Give her a sip in Belgium where she's cheap.

B

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2012 02:41:54 | More by kojevergas

Keith_R

Georgia

4.75/5  rDev +8.7%

11-08-2012 00:52:26 | More by Keith_R