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

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Hulmeville inn on a sunday.

A- Rodenbach number 96 looks deep orangish red within the glass. Looks a bit brighter than most Rodenbachs. Nothing on top of this coming off the spout, swirls could not bring any life out on top, no lacing.

S- Smells like your typical Rodenbach but there is a bit more emphasis on the sweet side with vinegar coming through a bit more than barrel 230 which I recently had on tap as well. Cherry, wood, oaking and a dash of vanilla.

T- And yes, there it is that foder goodness, sweet cherry flavor mixing in well with the oak. A touch of vanilla. As expected the vinegar comes out a bit more in this vintage but not on the level of the new rodenbach grand cru that came back to Philly after it's year long absense from the area. Lemon juice pours through.

M- Tart and sweet and kinda thin, this is not a blended roady so I guess I can see that. All in all above light bodied with tart capabilities and a small amount of carb punch. The lemon kinda lingers around a bit.

D- Not so much, the 7% does not scare me, but this barrel did not really do it for me, I prefer the 2007 version more, but 08 remains damn good beer from a great brewery, possibly the best flanders producer in the world. Get on this if you get a chance.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2010 22:59:43 | More by onix1agr

jamie2dope

Massachusetts

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

Thanks to the staff at Redstone for this bottle. This edition of Rodenbach comes out a handsome glowing red, with an inch worth of white heading. In the nose, as to be expected is a mix of sour and sweet, with some red wine vinegar. The cherries are also very apparent. The taste starts off sour, then fades into the sweetness. Vanilla can be detected, along with the oak, providing for a very smooth finish. The cherries are not as intense as in the Grand Cru. Mouthfeel is acidic, yet approachable with the oak sweetness. It is medium bodied, and coats the palate. Alcohol is not apparent in the taste, but after a few gulps there is a warming effect. This one seems to be the middle child between the regular Rodenbach, and the Gran Cru. It definitely tastes the smoothest out of the three. Before it is gone, I would like to get another bottle to compare it to the other two. Another delicious brew from Rodenbach.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2010 23:41:36 | More by jamie2dope