Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge - Brouwerij Bockor N.V.

wedge

North Carolina

4.48/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Beautiful deep mahogany color with a small, but densely creamy head. Dark cherry, wood, and malt aromas combine seamlessly before meeting some mild, dusty funk and acidic notes. Wow...big, tart, juicy flavor. Sour fruit: cherry, apple, and berries, light spicy wood dryness, and some sweet, creamy maltiness buried beneath it all. Not quite as mouth-peeling astringent as some other Flemish sours, but nicely dry and refreshing. Lactic sourness and a medium bodied, slick mouthfeel. What a treat! Too bad it's so hard to come by around here.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 23:10:24 | More by wedge

Jparker37

Wisconsin

4.11/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

11.2oz bottle poured into a tulip glass.

A - Medium sized cap of tan head. Color is brown but has great clarity and a beautiful red glow when held to light. Adequate amount of lacing.

S - Popping bright unripe raspberries. Muddled chocolate malt. Slight hint of funk. Mild grassiness. Hinting some vinegar.

T - Zing! Wow that first sip made me pucker. Extremely tart upfront. Once I adjust, I find those underrippend raspberry flavors. Got some sweetness midway which cleans up near the end giving a crispness to it. The later half is where there is a slight window for other flavors to come through. I get some faint caramel malt and grassy hops. Leaves my mouth with a dry feel but tons of raspberry flavor when I even lick my lips.

M - Tart, medium-light body, medium carbonation, semi-dry.

O - Nice looking beer with a complex nose. I knew there would be a bit of sourness to this but the aroma left me vulnerable to the taste onslaught. After I finish my sip I can still pucker up simply from licking my lips. Fun beer and though I love my sours, this was reaching my threshold.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 00:09:55 | More by Jparker37

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

11.2 fl. oz. bottle into 2011 SAVOR glass. "03" coded on the back of the bottle.

A: certainly on the darker side of most flanders reds. head starts frothy, but quickly diminishes to nothing. sort of expected with the style.

S: definitely an earthy, oak aroma starts things off. a mild cherry pie. aroma is has some sour/acidic qualities as well, but nearly as sour as the palate. nice diversity.

T: starts reasonably acidic and sharp. a lot of cherry and a lot of grape juice. acid dominates the palate for the most part and while enjoyable it definitely takes some attention to work beyond it. mild vanilla in there. finish gets by the sour and starts to dry out.

M: carb is rather mellow with the acidity giving the impression of fizz. light/medium bodied.

D: a good flanders red. good drinkability while having a sizeable amount of sourness. I recommend trying this if given the opportunity.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 03:33:44 | More by Jimmys

PieOhMy

Minnesota

4.46/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A Dark ruby. Thick tan head that fades out.

S Grapes, rhubarb, pepper, lemon peel. This is one of the most complex and aromatic beers I've had.

T Much like the smell. Tarty. Vinegar. Lime. There is some sweetness hidden here and it kicks in at the aftertaste.

M Light and fizzy. Typical for the style. Smooth finish.

O Exceptional. I could savor sip and enjoy this beer all day. The sourness giving way to the sweetness is so subtle yet so noticeable. Complex. This is a work of art.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2013 02:26:21 | More by PieOhMy

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

The numbers "14 13" are printed in the back. I have no idea what this means, since neither could be the month and either could be the year.

Beer is deep red in colour, a bit purplish. Smallish off-white head, which starts to fade quickly.

Smell is nice. Tart cherries figure prominently, with balsamic vinegar. Some funk, but not like a lambic. Oak. Some apple. Very good, clearly a Flanders Red but a very good one.

Taste is quite sour, much more so than other Flanders that I have had. Sour cherry, oak, some cocoa, vinegar. Some green apple in the finish. Very big flavour and everything is well integrated into a cohesive whole. More complex than is typical for the style. Very nice.

Medium bodied, moderate carbonation, sticky. Puckers the mouth.

Overall, excellent beer. The best Flanders Red I have had.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 01:55:38 | More by jrenihan

Beerandboards

New Mexico

4.35/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - dark ruby red. White head, a little bit of rosey tinge. Dissipates prett quickly.

S - green apples, vinegar, sour, some oak

T - green apple, some apple peel, dry oaky tannin, just right amount of sweetness.

M - high and lively carbonation, thin feel, right for the style if not just a tad over carbed.

O - great sour red. Hits all the elements really well, very sour without being over powering or syrupy.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 19:43:07 | More by Beerandboards

CloudStrife

New York

4.45/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

11.2 oz bottle poured into a glass. 05 inkjet on the back of the bottle.

A: Pours a clear ruby brown with a half finger off white head that is quick to dissipate. Some visible carbonation in the glass. No lacing.

S: Great Flanders aroma going on here. A fruity cherry lambic tone with a strong funkiness. Oak comes through nicely as a vanilla note.

T: Fantanstic tart and sour flavor. Full flavored lambic with an oakiness. A touch of apple tartness. Very complex, difficult to explain all of the flavors going on here.

M: Just where you want a Flanders to be. A lot of carbonation gives this a real clean finish. Puckers you up after the first sip. Crisp finish.

Overall an absolutely amazing beer. Exemplifies the style and is one of my favorite types of beer. A must try by any sour fans. New to get some more of these.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 19:49:03 | More by CloudStrife

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A-clear ruby color with hints of brown and a smallish off-white head and minimal lacing

S-sour cherries, earthy, malt, yeasty funk

T-yeasty malt, sour cherries/berries, earthiness, slight bitterness, hints of floral

F-light to medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp, refreshing

O-delicious and beautifully balanced, really enjoyed this sour

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 23:21:44 | More by MDDMD

AJ01923

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Wow, think melted cherry sour patch kids. Great balance between tartness and drinkability.
Pours deep beet red, no lacing and the smell allows you to anticipate the sourness. Your taste buds will be thrown off but in a great way. Great value, will be purchasing more.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 02:22:46 | More by AJ01923

WankelEngine

Illinois

4.34/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from an 11.2oz bottle into a wine glass

A: Pours a copper-ruby color, clear but deeply colored. There is a very small, light tan head which fades quickly to a ring of foam.

S: The nose explodes with tart, earthy, sourness. Some funk develops, especially hay, as the beer warms. I detect touch of oak blends into some lively fruit aromas.

T: A similarly potent sour profile as the aroma on the attack, but more tart and less funky. A bright, tart red cherry flavor quickly comes to complement the overall tartness. Even suggestive of raspberry or blackberry given how bright and tart it is. Apple vinegar. The lactic side of the sour becomes more pronounced as I savor the sip, and frames the incredibly long finish. Lactic sourness slowly fades, leaving behind a dry, grain flavor on the back, roof of my mouth, until that, too, is gone.

M: Mouthwateringly tart. Medium low body and low carbonation.

O: An amazing beer. I don't know why I don't drink this more often. Fruity and tart in the best ways.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 20:45:28 | More by WankelEngine

joeseppy

Illinois

4.24/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a crimson tincture with minimal tan head and light lacing.

Full-on assault of sour funk that makes my head tic and wince. Balsamic vinegar and tart cherry follow. Generally fruity and a hint of oak.

Taste of sour cherry upfront then going to the back in a sweet/sour fruity finish. I imagine Sweetart candy to get my mind off a sour cheese and dirty sock, but its ahhight.

Finish is astringent and crisp.

I haven't had a lot of sours and figure this may be the best to try again. I can see this is an acquired taste and keep the style in mind for review. Can't say I'm loving it but it keeps me coming back for more.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 18:46:08 | More by joeseppy

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 11.2 oz bottle into a Lost Abbey teku glass.

A- pours a very dark amber with a 1 finger tan head. A few blotches of lacing remain on the glass.

S- sour cherries, funky cheese, straw

T- very sour/tart cherries right away, light chocolate, cherry pie filling

M- medium body and high carbonation. Fairly acidic and effervescent.

O- very good Flanders red. Has more sourness than most for the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 04:28:06 | More by kawilliams81

Dracula

New Mexico

4.79/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

A: Dark burgundy, nice head with a vigorous pour that dissipated quickly. Not much lacing.

S: Very lactic, tart cherries, and leathery notes.

T: Amazing. Tart cherries, leather, tart, and sweet. very well balanced.

M: Coats the tongue, the tartness induce salivation which is good.

O: Surprisingly good. I am impressed. I would recommend this to anyone that loves tart wild ales.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 02:00:07 | More by Dracula

DavoleBomb

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured into a tulip. The number "01" was printed on the back label, but I don't know what it means.

3.5 A: Nearly clear burgundy color. Short beige head came and fell quickly.

4.25 S: The nose on this is extemely well balanced. Great mix of fruity, earthy, and sour. Cherry and mixed berry start things off with toasted malts and a rotting wood funkiness not far behind. Acetic and lactic acid in good proportion to the other aromas.

4.5 T: Taste is even better than the nose. Like the nose, the flavor profile is completely balanced to the point of perfection. Sour tinge that gets your attention, but doesn't block out other flavors. Fruity cherry and berry via lactic acid. Toasty malts with a light caramel sweetness. Rotting wood and basement type funk and oak from the barrel.

4.0 M: Lighter medium to medium body. Good moderate carbonation, which falls midway between spritzy and bity. Light pucker on finish.

5.0 D: Easily in my top five most drinkable sours. It's not the most flavorful, but it is perfectly capable to keeping my taste buds entertained. The beauty of this beer is that I keep wanting more well after I finish my last sip.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 02:41:39 | More by DavoleBomb

draheim

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

11.2oz into a tulip. Pours a clear reddish brown w/ a 1-finger beige head that leaves behind a layer of lace.

Aroma is tart, oaky, just shy of vinegary. Sour cherries and wild yeast.

Taste is brightly tart, sharp, cidery. Zow! Really crisp and light, wonderful dry oak presence. Excellent balance among a number of competing elements. Simultaneously both sweet and sour in a powerful way.

Mouthfeel is soft, light, finishes bone dry. Oh so drinkable.

Overall just a delightful, tasty, well-crafted beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 05:13:22 | More by draheim

Immortale25

Florida

4.1/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Due South Brewing Co. snifter. No readable freshness date.

A- Pours a rubyish brown color with a 1/2 inch light tan head that retains a bit before becoming a thin ring around the edge of the glass and small wisps of surface foam. Slippery, non-resilient lacing.

S- Strong whiff of lactic acid is very sour and causes the the tongue to salivate. Also plenty of fruit notes such as black cherry, sour apple and fermented grape juice.

T- Was expecting a sour bomb judging from the aroma but the flavor is actually quite smooth and fruit forward. Yes, there's plenty of tart to go along with the sweet, but it's a nice balance. Not much oak as the label declares it was aged for eighteen months in the barrel but I think the sourness just overpowers it. Notes of sour apple, sour cherry and lemon Warheads.

M- Crisp, dry and very tart with medium-low carbonation and a medium body.

O- Could use a little more carbonation for my tastes, but it's a very enjoyable sour ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 21:55:14 | More by Immortale25

haazer

Pennsylvania

4.16/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Dark plum looking brew with cherry highlights. A bit of tannish-off white head that comes down to a thin ring. Steady stream of bubbles rising up one side of the glass.

S- Definite sour cherry and oak on the nose. Some other dark fruits, and the red wine profile.

T- Sour cherry, bit of red wine. A lot of oak profile, not drying but quite refreshing actually. not a hard bite on the sourness, but just enough. I feel it later in the glass, this has a lasting aftertaste.

M- Light bodied and crisp. Mid to high carbonation. Palette coating.

O- Not the boldest Flanders out there but it makes it's presence known in the aftertaste. Quite easy drinking and enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2013 18:02:05 | More by haazer

Brew33

Ohio

3.84/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A generous extra from brikelly. Thanks!

The color, pour, and aroma of this beer are all spot on for a Flanders Red Ale. Spot on. Dark ruby, thin head that disappears instantly. The aroma is sweet dark malts, vinous barrel notes, and red wine vinegar.

The taste isn't as acetic as a lot of the Flanders Reds I've had. Lots of lactic tartness on the back end but the thing that stands out for good and bad reasons is the heft of the malt profile. Chewy brown malt flavor is intensely sweet on the front end. Then rushed away by an acidic swallow. The flavors linger in the mouth and the medium bodied beer hangs around for some time. The sweet and sour characteristics aren't balanced like some of the best examples of the style instead they operate seperately and offer 2 totally different flavors. Oil and water. It's certainly not the intense sweet and sour rollercoaster that Duchesse is but it's an interesting beer.

I'm very glad I was able to try it. While not the cream of the crop, certainly an above average Flanders Red that I'd happily drink anytime.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 15:57:25 | More by Brew33

FosterJM

California

4.19/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

1733rd Review on BA
Bottle to Speiglau Tulip
11.2oz

Not sure what the 4 on the back is for.

App- This poured like a nice red wine but with more bubbles. The deep reds were in the center with some purples and browns scattered around. The head was a nice 1-1/2" off white head that faded pretty quickly. I didn't notice a ton of lace or cling. Just a couple spots.

Smell- On the nose I got a bunch of things going on. A bit of pressed cherries, cranberry juice, some acidic fruits, more oak and vanilla from the aging and full malt backbone.

Taste- I am pretty sure this is the first beer to make me cough the whole way through. Highly acidic and lactic with a small touch of sour behind it. The barrel adds a nice full oak flavor and amps up the beer to create this 1-2 punch that I haven't gotten from most sours. The fruits shine as the character of this beer is highly cherry/cranberry and pressed skins.

Mouth- For a sour this is a bit thick for me. A solid medium body with a fairly dense and lush medium carbonation. The residual flavors are the tart and sour fruits. Small oak and barrel character come into play as well.

Drink- This as I said was the one sour make me cough and hack the whole way through. Tart, sour and lush. I would like to see what a aged bottle tastes like. This was a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 15:08:44 | More by FosterJM

solvealways

4.26/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Aroma: Initial smell of apple cider vinegar. Notes of vanilla.

Pour: Fizzy pour with no head.

Color: Slightly more red but similar color of coca cola.

Taste: Extremely sharp and sour as you would expect from a hard apple cider but more pronounced like a balsamic vinegar. Hints of tangy cherry - noticable wood barrel aging.

Mouthfeel: Thin mouthfeel but its supposed to be refreshing so it is enjoyable and expected from an intense bright carbonated drink. Lively and aromatic throughout the mouth. Leaves the saliva a little thick like a chewing on Vitamin C.

Soundwave visual metaphor: fast and hard attack, 3 second curved delay and sustain to about 50% intensity. fairly quick release. vinegary taste/feel @ 10% intensity lasts till about 10 seconds after drink.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 02:41:32 | More by solvealways

yamar68

Minnesota

4.19/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours a hazed mahogany red - like a dark merlot with a finger of creamy beige... Old Greg would be all over this shit. Thick drapes of lace that don't stick all that well. Great, cloudy beading beneath the carbonation.

Tart red fruits, mild dessert sugars, smooth oak, vanilla, beautifully sour in a very approachable kind of way. Wine grapes, pear skin... all that good shit.

Sour cranberry front and center... some faint chocolate or caramel is buried in here somewhere. Tart pear flavors, cherry and raspberry. Finish is perfect - not too wet and not too dry with a smooth tart lingering on the back of the palate.

Fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 01:36:21 | More by yamar68

Jonada

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

11.2 oz bottle served in a Trappist Goblet

Appearance: Dark ruby red color. Fairly clear when held up to the light with a fair amount of carbonation streaming from the bottom of the glass. There was less than a finger of a light tan head that dissipated almost instantly and left no lacing.

Smell: Sour cherries, acidic, green apple, oak, balsamic vinegar.

Taste: Packs a nice sour acidic punch up front. Flavors of cherry, oak, apple skin. Sourness yields to a bit of a sweet bready maltiness in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied with reasonably high carbonation.

Overall: Excellent beer and one of the best I've had in the style. Definitely a must try for anyone who's a fan of sours.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 04:32:51 | More by Jonada

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A; ruby red, clear - 1/2" head, died quick

S: lactic, mildly acetic - nice balance between fruity and musty odors - seems like some toasted malt coming through, too - a little more malt please?

T: oh wow! quite a robust overall taste from the start (colder) - not too sweet, but not enough malt body backing up the tart/sour - tiniest touch of band-aid phenolic in background - light cherry starting midway and some mellow lingering chocolate in the aftertaste

M: light-medium body up front (thankfully not champagne thin) - drops off pretty bone dry - tart/acidic stickiness left covering the mouth - very quaffable - a slow sipper

O: very well balanced - great depth, great tart/sour - not unique, just well-made - shows a balance between the uber tart and lightness of a Rodenbach Grand Cru and the thicker, sweeter qualities of Duchesse

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 21:18:35 | More by Bouleboubier

vonnegut21

New York

4.83/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A: Pours a deep, reddish brown with two fingers of white head.

S: Tart acidity, sour cherry, vanilla, oak and bready malt.

T: Huge lactic acidity. Bright tart cherry. Vanilla and oak. Supremely tasty. Wow.

M: Effervescent, puckering, pungent. Very drinkable.

O: Far and away the best Flanders Red I've ever had. Expensive at $26 a 4-pack, but completely worth it. My favorite "shelf sour" beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 03:55:01 | More by vonnegut21

dsprainman

California

4.53/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Like a Dr.Pepper, a two finger head fades to zilch quickly.
S- This has a sweet but sour wif of cherries and plums. Almost like a candy made with real fruits.
T- Taste follows the nose, but there's something special here that's hard to qualify. Sort of a tang right as you swallow. Amazingly good. Sour lingers like a candy too.
M- The mouthfeel is somewhat dry, but not overly so. Not too thick.
O- I've only had 3 or 4 flemish sours so far, but this is up there with the best of them. Recommended!

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 02:14:02 | More by dsprainman