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

jayhawk73

Maryland

4.97/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Major props to Huhzubendah for sharing this. Thanks Matt

Pours a reddish brown color with a nice off white head. Great lacing on my new Belgium glass. Freakin' amazing nose! Wow.... Funk, Cherry, raspberry, barnyard smells.. Perfect. Holy crap. The taste is perfect. I honestly can't think of anything that can improve here. Unbelievable taste, and feel. Feel is super smooth, acidic fruit, and gobs of taste. Wow... Overall, this is the perfect beer for the style. Unbelievable .. Thank you Matt!!

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 21:41:18 | More by jayhawk73

unclejazz

New York

4.93/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Holy crap, after having had the classic Rodenbach and the Grand Cru, I finally got a chance to try this puppy.

I am not going to go too much in detail, but this whole experience was fantastic. It smelled wonderful: sour cherries, malt, other pit fruit, and some solid farm funk. Taste was special, all the smells and a great fizz of carbonation that complement the sout attributes. This is the best flanders red I have tried, and I would put it up against any other. This is in my all-time top 5.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 17:40:53 | More by unclejazz

Halcyondays

California

4.9/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

750 mL bottle,

A: Pours a light amber with a real mild white head, fair retention, no lace.

S: Great acetic sweet/sour nose with a lot of cherries, breathtaking.

T: Sweet cherries, cranberries, unripe raspberries with the undercurrent of delicious acid, a treat.

M: Medium-bodied, moderate acidity, very refreshing and easy on the palate.

D: Absolutely fantastic, I'm glad I picked up a bottle of this, at $22 even it's a bargain, great beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 05:06:17 | More by Halcyondays

albern

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is a beer well worth the $20 sticker price. It is maximally complex and smooth, smooth, smooth. This is the best Flemish Red Ale you will find. It is so complex, so subtle, wonderfully tart, and sweet, and tangy. This is one of the most complicated beers I've ever tried. The oak aging just smoothed this beer out in ways that most oak aging just adds too much booziness or a coarse whisky type taste. Not so this beer.

The beer pours a slighly reddish brown, cloudy color with a slighly fizzy head, just a touch of lace and retention. There is a natural fizz and carbonation to this beer that is much appreciated. The nose is just a touch vinegary, tart, cherry soda like. The nose is good but the taste is stellar. I can't get enough of the smooth, tartness, cherry complexity, and sweet and sour qualities of this beer. Just fantastic, this is a must try. The aging on this beer imparts just a melange of malty flavors complemented by the sours and slightly cherry sweetness. Wow! Each sip on this beer is just a new experience. It is even better once it settles. A huge L'Chaim on this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2010 23:34:06 | More by albern

shivtim

Georgia

4.8/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at churchkey in DC.
Clear, orange/red, small off-white head.

Nose is phenomenal. Sour cherries, funky sweet sugars, deep plum and dark fruit notes. Oak and nuts.

Taste is complex and wonderful. Tangy, sweet oranges and grapefruit, oak, brown sugar. Lime and honey. Wow.

Mouthfeel is tart/dry; foamy, fantastic.

The sourness on this beer might limit drinkability, but it's still amazing.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2010 21:32:52 | More by shivtim

Thehuntmaster

South Africa

4.8/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle 7,0% Abv.
Served chilled in an over sized wine glass.
2008 Vintage

I love Flemish red ales and Rodenbach Grand Cru is one of my all time favorite beers, I am expecting big things from this version!
This is the 6th beer in my series of sours.

Appearance: Beautiful, crystal clear auburn body topped by a large white head that lasts acceptably well and leaves patchy lace.

Smell: Perfect - this is hands down the best Flemish red I have smelled!
Cherries dominate the nose - mostly tart, with a little underlying sweetness. Other notes include: Oak, balsamic vinegar, raspberries, leather, hints of cider, a light musty note and a metallic element that I oddly associate with the taste of blood. Towards the end of the bottle a BSDA like spiced dark fruit note becomes present.

Taste: After such a stunning nose, I expected this to be pretty delicious and man does it deliver! I ended up gulping down half the bottle before I remembered that I had to write down some review notes!
As with the nose, tart cherries and oak dominate, other notes include: Balsamic, cider vinegar, a vinous note, old wood, raspberries, earthy leather and a metallic note similar to that in the nose (again it reminds me of blood).

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a medium-high level of ultra smooth carbonation. Moderate acidity and a lingering dryness in the finish.

Overall: Rodenbach Vintage is an amazingly complex and full flavoured brew, but at the same time compulsively drinkable and refreshing. I will have to buy multiple bottles of each vintage in the future!

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 20:04:04 | More by Thehuntmaster

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.72/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by drabmuh. Thanks Matt!

A: This Flanders brew appears a dark, ruby hue with a huge, dense, white head. The head exhibits excellent retention and leaves copious lacing throughout the glass.

S: Fruit, mostly sour cherries, funk, oak, red wine.

T: A really delicious beer. It's tannic in nature, with a wonderful bouquet of sour cherries, funk, and oak. A delicate dance of sweet and sour. This is so enjoyable and intriguing. Wonderfully complex and masterfully crafted.

M: Medium bodied, appropriately carbonated, lingering aftertaste that continues to develop for a few moments after each sip.

D: A very tasty beer and a great example of the style. This is definitely worth acquiring.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2011 01:30:48 | More by Huhzubendah

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

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.68/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

MMMmmmm, Yum! Great sweet tart beer! Poured at a good temperature with smallish, foamy, light tan head that settles after a bit and a smidgen of lace. Color is a clear honey amber with a couple of bubble trails. Aroma is cider, caramel, fruit, malt, yeast. Flavor's like nose with excellent sweet/tart balance, with a little bitter to round out the picture. Body is great and carbonation perfect. Finish is like flavor, long, and superbly drinkable. Almost want to gulp it, so good.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 05:05:57 | More by drpimento

Shouzen

California

4.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap for 2 days over Belgian Beer weekend at O'Briens in San Diego.

A - Poured a dark red/brown into a Rodenbach tulip. Just a trace of head, otherwise it is a murky mystery inviting one to come closer.

S - Lovely sour cherry aroma, somewhat reminiscent of a traditional sarsaparilla. This was my first beer of the night and the nose really perked all my senses right up.

T - Simply outstanding. One of the most delicious beers I've ever tasted. Sweet and sour all swirled together, tempered by some slight oakiness (which was less pronounced than I had expected). No bitterness, with a fairly bold molasses and malt character. Overall, every aspect is perfectly balanced in this beer. I can't get enough!

M - Surprisingly light-bodied, given its colour. Very smooth on the palate. Coated the inside of my mouth with a pleasant creaminess. It goes down eaaaasy with no trace of alcohol.

D - Great as an opener or to finish. It's sour, and yet I find myself wanting more and more. I suppose it's the most drinkable sour I've ever tasted. I'd easily go for 2-3 pints of this, but probably not more. I would get this every session if I could, though.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2010 03:54:59 | More by Shouzen

oldsailor

Nevada

4.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at the Haven Gastropub. One of the best sours I've ever tasted. Sourness isn't overpowering and the smoothness feels very different from other sours that I've tasted. Carbonation was perfect and the aftertaste was pleasant. Best way to start a great meal.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2011 03:07:35 | More by oldsailor

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Shared with mikesgroove at Hobo Tasting #8 while sitting in the car at Lowe's! Served from bottle into a Southern Tier tulip. Poured a deep red with a one finger off-white head that subsided to a half finger slowly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, wood, cherries, dark fruit, sour, and tart. The flavor was of sweet malt, sour, funk, raspberries, and wood. It had a very light feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was an excellent brew for the style. Very nicely balanced with all of the wood, fruit, and sour/tart aspects working together rather than against each other. This used to be on the Top Buzz List awhile back and now I can see why. Great aroma going on here as well. Really glad I got to try this one and was a great way to end Hobo Tasting #8 as it definitely refreshed my palate. Try this if you have not... Trust me.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2011 15:01:54 | More by thagr81us

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.55/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

part of the hobo tasting no.8 that took place in the lowes parking lot this afternoon. great job bringing this one out calton. 750ml split between the two of us.

pours out a nice light reddish pink color with a light haze to it and a nice and big head of off white that reached a height of around three iches before settling with tons of side glass lacing.

aroma is rich tart cherries and raspberries, rich and a perfect mix of tartness and sweet fruit notes, i was in heaven an melted into the glass. each sip was like a fruit explosion. cherries and berries, light sourness, hints of oak as it warms but always maintaining a lightness and an airyness that kept it soo smooth and easy to drink it was absurd. such a nice dry, clean, and tart finish that left the long lasting fruit and light oak flavor on the tongue, you really just could not get enough of this one.

overall i am really becoming a huge fan of the flanders reds and this was an instant classic in my book. a hell of a beer i was proud to be able to drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2011 01:17:43 | More by mikesgroove

jbonapar

Ontario (Canada)

4.55/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

One of my favorite beers, opened the 2008 vintage for Xmass eve with friends.

Poured a rich slightly mahogany color with a creamy head. Smell is powerful. Rich, sweet balsamic vinagar with some candy and oak.

Taste is as advertised, smooth, balanced, moderate acidity with a nice almost vanilla oakiness. Amazing.

I love this beer, I wish I had more.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 16:50:39 | More by jbonapar

glid02

Georgia

4.53/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Porter Beer Bar in Atlanta.

Pours a clear burgundy color with a one-finger tan head. The head recedes into a thin layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of tart cherries, currants, oak, and light funk reminescent of leather. Also present are hints of vinegar and tobacco.

Tastes similar to how it smells, though not as complex. Medium malt flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by lightly tart currants and funk. Midway through the sip tannins from the oak come into play along with very slight earthy hops. The hops fade out quickly, allowing the funk and oak to carry through to a crisp and moderately tart ending.

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

Drinkability is very good. I finished my glass quickly and could easily have a few more.

Overall I found this to be a little rougher than Rodenbach Grand Cru, but the rough edges were not jarring but rather exhibited complexity in a different way. Certainly worth a shot if you see it around.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2011 13:27:13 | More by glid02

awalk1227

Georgia

4.53/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Consumed 2/2/11 Got this at 5 Points Bottle Shop.

Poured into a Surly Darkness snifter

A:Pours a brilliantly clear deep amber. Hints of glowing red envelop the glass when shone in the light. A huge, two and a half finger thick head graces the sides of my snifter. It stays with surprising longevity.

S: A funky barn graces my nostrils. I feel that I smell some dirty sour grapes, and a bit of old leather.

T: Incredibly complex. A beautiful sour tartness in every sip. Sour fruit skins, and a slightly noticeable layer of nuttiness from the malt. I'm still new to rating sour beers, so it's tough to describe every flavor. I really enjoy this beer though.

F: Not super fizzling with carbonation, but definitely enough to keep the beer up on its legs. The sour makes my mouth water after every sip.

D: I consider this a very drinkable beer. It's a sipper for sure, but I'm going to have no problem finishing this bottle, and I will certainly seek this beer again for a tasting.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2011 04:38:58 | More by awalk1227

Damian

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Drank from a 1 pint 9.4 fl.oz. 750ml bottle purchased at Berman's Wines & Spirits, Lexington, MA
Best before: 06/08/13
Served in a tulip

Crimson-brownish colored and rather murky in appearance. The liquid was topped by a one-finger, light tan, super bubbly and frothy head. Drippy streaks of lacing cascaded down the glass. The head faded to a lasting, thick and bubbly ring.

The nose was a fantastic mix of sweet and tart aromas. Super fruity. Strawberries were most apparent. Sour cherries were detectible as well. Rich caramel malts played well against the tartness. Slight red wine notes. A bit tannic. Hint of vinegar. Exceptionally balanced.

The flavor profile was similar to the nose, but perhaps a touch sharper. A strong caramel malt base held up the front end. The beer was tart in center. Slight lactic acid notes. Sour cherries and tart raspberries were noticeable as well. Balsamic vinegar came through on the somewhat woody finish.

The beer felt surprisingly light and frothy on the palate. Foamy and supple with a crisp, medium effervescence.

I love the regular version of Rodenbach and this 2008 Vintage Oak Aged Ale was slightly more complex and just as immensely drinkable. As a rare indulgence, this is definitely worth the price of admission.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 00:39:15 | More by Damian

UCLABrewN84

California

4.48/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap for Churchill's Renaissance at Churchill's Pub & Grille in San Marcos, CA.

Pours a clear reddish-brown with a beige head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace randomly form on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of sour cherry and berry aromas, funk, and vinegar aromas. Taste is of sour cherry and berry aromas, funk, vinegar, and some slight wood notes. This beer has a very nice level of carbonation with a crisp and bubbly mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good sour that is just awesomely tart and funky.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2012 22:09:43 | More by UCLABrewN84

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Mikasa tulip. Picked this up at State Line in Maryland.

Pour brings a red-tinged brownish ale with a bit of murkiness and a single-finger light-tan head. Pretty decent retention and a nice collar as it goes down. Some spotty lacing there as well. Nose brings some sherry and dark fruits along with the oak and mild acetic presence. Great character all around.

The flavor really explodes with a beautiful acidic character and bountiful notes of cherry and sherry. Dark fruits continue to linger in the background. The mouthfeel is absolute perfection--medium body with slight carbonation and a mind-numbing creaminess that goes exquisitely with the acidity. Drinkability is offer the charts. I'll certainly be seeking out more of this.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 00:53:02 | More by Thorpe429

NittanyBeerFan

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at TJ's Belgian Beer Paradise and reviewed from notes that I just found today. Poured into a tulip glass.

The 2008 vintage pours a deep reddish brown with amber flashes around the edges of the glass. There is a 1-finger head, creamy and consisting of extremely fine bubbles. Not much lacing to speak of, nor does there seem to be any activity in the tulip after the pour.

The aroma and the taste are both the highlights of this beer. An acetic sourness opens up, accompanied by sour cherries. A funkiness follows...not barnyard, but more earthy in nature, like an aged goat cheese. Vanilla and tannins from the oak barrels pour forth in the finish, somewhat overwhelming the rest of the beer, but they then subside leaving another wave of tart cherries on the finish. There are many Flanders Reds that are far too sweet on the finish. This is not one of them. Sweet but drying at the same time, Rodenbach his the mark on this one.

The consistency is thin to medium with a light carbonation. The well rounded flavor and well balanced finish that was struck between sweet and dry really make this one to enjoy. By far, this was the highlight of the night for me.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2011 15:04:11 | More by NittanyBeerFan

Duff27

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A- pours a dark, slightly murky red with a fizy short lived white head. Head recedes to a thin ring around the glass.

S- Fruit...cherries, raspberries.

T- tart cherries. Sour but not overwhelmingly.

M- Bubbly. Well carbonated, dances on the palate.

D/O- What a treat paired with bleu cheese. Split a 750ml bottle with the girl. Worth every penny to celebrate something.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2011 20:16:12 | More by Duff27

davey101

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml into a palm tulip.

A - Dark mahogany body with a murky brown and red tint. Very hazy and lets little light pass through. Creamy light khaki colored head with large bubbles. Solid lacing.

S - Strong cherry aroma, followed by some rich malts and oak. Really strong on the vanilla and wood. The finish is lactic and vinegary.

T - Follows the nose closely. Starts off with some bready malts and stone fruit. Then comes the lactic vinegar bite. The finish is really smooth with cherry, oak, vanilla, and a hint of spice. Carbonation is really high, more so than I would have liked. The mouth feel is medium and velvety smooth though.

O - I enjoyed the 2007 vintage just a bit more than this one. I'm pretty sure this is pasteurized so aging really doesn't help out a whole lot, but I remember the '07 having a bit less carbonation which helps with the smooth flavors. Still a fantastic flanders.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 05:01:54 | More by davey101

larryi86

Delaware

4.43/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 mL bottle poured into a Rodenbach glass

A- A murky reddish-brown with a small off-white head.

S- Sour cherries, oak, vinegar, slightly lactic.

T- Sour upfront, cherries and vinegar, finish has some funk and oak along with some lactic notes and sweet malts that give this beer a nice balance.

M- Smooth, medium body, finish feels a little too heavy.

O- A solid sour and worth the price. It has been a little while since I had any Rodenbach and this is better than the last glass of Rodenbach Classic I had.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 00:21:46 | More by larryi86

ehammond1

California

4.4/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle (2008)

Belgian Beer Festival 2011
Pizza Port
Carlsbad, CA

A dark ruby and chestnut brown. Nearly no head. Decent lacing down the glass.

A tart, biting sour, vinegary aroma combined with cherry sweetness. More pungently powerful and slightly deeper aroma than the typical Grand Cru--the aromas just pop and leap from the glass!

A biting, tart, vinegary, sour ale balanced remarkably well with a sweet cherry juiciness.

Light to medium bodied. A pleasure to sip.

A well balanced, tart, sweet sour. Incredible!

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 22:05:08 | More by ehammond1

OBeerMeGreatOne

California

4.4/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a corked and caged 750mL into a snifter. Pours out a deep, hazy, ruby red with a half inch of slightly red head, no lace.

The smell is fruit and mellow apple cider vinegar, with a hint of citrus.

A sour cherry punch starts the taste with fruity and pale malts mixed into a sour apple middle. Dry pear finish, slight earthy hops and oak. Wow, very complex. The carbonation is between mild and moderate.

Very nice aged sour red. I'd LOVE to have another.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 05:17:17 | More by OBeerMeGreatOne