Rodenbach Grand Cru - Brouwerij Rodenbach N.V.

gregb13

California

2.28/5  rDev -46.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Cracked this one open after Thanksgiving dinner. Looks nice in the glass, but that's where the compliments end. Smell isn't bad necessarily, just lopsidedly sour with nothing else to balance. Taste is like drinking balsamic vinegar straight up. Bottle said it's supposed to have a "sweet-sour" taste and it absolutely did not. It's also so dry in the mouth that a couple sips totally ruin the palate. Very disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 01:41:49 | More by gregb13

smitty5245

California

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%

05-22-2013 22:36:02 | More by smitty5245

BigbROB

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%

05-22-2013 16:09:04 | More by BigbROB

Jade

Ohio

2.75/5  rDev -35.9%

05-22-2013 10:50:46 | More by Jade

douginromeo

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%

05-22-2013 03:24:17 | More by douginromeo

gamanley

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%

05-22-2013 02:57:31 | More by gamanley

ericwa1154

Texas

5/5  rDev +16.6%

05-20-2013 21:56:43 | More by ericwa1154

Prospero

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%

05-20-2013 21:51:50 | More by Prospero

DJButters

California

4/5  rDev -6.8%

05-20-2013 00:14:48 | More by DJButters

RaulMondesi

California

4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Straight out of a bottle at tha hipster joint - Haven

Like a Tiger Woods drive: fouuur! All across the board, fours all across the board. Pretty decent brew for Raul. Solid like a prescription of Cilias. Sour, tart, spunky and funky (like Raul's first girl - I still think of you, ma).

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 23:29:08 | More by RaulMondesi

beergorrilla

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%

05-18-2013 22:39:23 | More by beergorrilla

oN3xM

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -12.6%

05-18-2013 21:27:28 | More by oN3xM

Photekut

Azerbaijan

5/5  rDev +16.6%

05-18-2013 21:24:19 | More by Photekut

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%

05-18-2013 13:04:53 | More by Slatetank

Hallertau

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -12.6%

05-18-2013 03:07:36 | More by Hallertau

Blashawright

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%

05-16-2013 22:34:58 | More by Blashawright

Westuh

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -6.8%

05-16-2013 18:35:19 | More by Westuh

GinsuDave

Michigan

4/5  rDev -6.8%

05-16-2013 10:31:46 | More by GinsuDave

Tiernan

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%

05-16-2013 06:46:13 | More by Tiernan

deekyn

California

3.5/5  rDev -18.4%

05-16-2013 04:10:50 | More by deekyn

valkyre65

Texas

5/5  rDev +16.6%

05-16-2013 00:04:50 | More by valkyre65

Humulus85

Minnesota

4.65/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

I've had this several times, but this is the first real sit down analysis for me. From the 750ml C&C bottle into my tasting glass. BB 11/06/15

Pours a murky garnet with a tight two finger light khaki head. Solid retention for the style with pretty good lacing.

Tart, but not sour. Picking up a bunch of funky apples, like really ripe apple skins. Characteristic balsamic vinegar. Dome vinous notes, and barrel juice. Bits of oak and even some vanilla. No hops, and no straightforward malts. Wonderfully complex, I could smell this all day.

Slightly tart on the front that quickly blossoms into an array of that funky apple, ripe cherry, and oak. More vanilla than I anticipated. All this with a very nice Belgian candy sweetness that keeps things in check. The sour side of this beer is subdued compared to some of the hardcore guezes and American wilds, but very well balanced between the lactic and acetic. Sourness builds ad this warms, but never overpowers. This is seriously tasty.

A solid medium, with ample carbonation. Finishes dry and clean, with just the right amount of pucker. Superior drinkability, and one of the most refreshing beers I've
had.

Overall this is one of the best Flanders Reds I've had, right up there with Cuvee des Jacobins. This hits the perfect balance of sweet and sour. So layered and complex, I can hardly believe this is just water, barley, hops, and assorted bugs. There are just so many fruit flavors here, and the added vanilla/barrel character just brings it to that next level. The best part is its widely available and cheap relative to the style. I could drink this every day. If you are a fan of sours and haven't tried this one you need to. If you are wondering about trying a sour beer, this is a great place to start. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 06:25:40 | More by Humulus85

JamLand

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%

05-14-2013 01:16:13 | More by JamLand

flipdog0

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%

05-13-2013 18:46:30 | More by flipdog0

Doc_Hops

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%

05-13-2013 04:51:43 | More by Doc_Hops