Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge - Brouwerij Bockor N.V.

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

very interesting beer here! pours a sensational deep daunting ruby red color with incredible richness and a more than 2 inch tall off white head thick as whipped cream. smells like sour cherries, crab apples, and funky yeast. there is quite a strong sour hit of vinegar in the nose. the flavor is curiously vinegary. very tart cherry essence, and some mild spice from the yeast. i find it to be a bit heavy on the vinegar front for me, its a way different kind of sour than the brett beers. feel is good, well carbonated with a fuller body. i think its perfect for the complex and weird flavor. overall not a bad beer, in fact a very well crafted beer, but too much vinegar sour dryness of flavor for me personally. im not sure id like to have more than one of these at a time.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2012 18:48:24 | More by StonedTrippin

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

Chizoad

California

3.88/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Not much of a sour drinker but this one is a nice intro.

Thin head on a deep red/mahogany base.

Smell immediately hints of cherries and vanilla, which is pretty much what it tastes like, if you were to stew that together with some vinegar. In a good way.

The sourness does not overwhelm, and shockingly to me, I found this to be an easy drinker. I'm not sure I'd get it again, but happy I tried it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2010 07:39:45 | More by Chizoad

mrfrancis

Kentucky

3.88/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a hazy amber-tinged brown with a thin, clinging white head. The ruddy hues I generally expect of a proper Flanders red were nowhere to be seen.

S: The nose is dominated by a strong balsamic vinegar aroma. As the beer warms, aromas of sweet 'n' sour, pomegranate, and tart cherries emerge.

T: Notes of sweet 'n' sour, pomegranate, cranberries, tart cherries, balsamic vinegar, pickle brine, and oak wash across the palate. The finish is sharp and tart with abundant balsamic vinegar, oak, and tart cherry flavors.

M: Light to medium in body with stinging, active carbonation. Very drinkable and very dry.

O: This is a near excellent Flanders red ale, though I feel that in terms of depth it does not compare to any of the authentic Rodenbach offerings. Still, it is good and is yet another step in the right direction for Brouwerij Bockor. Hopefully, I'll get the opportunity to try this again in the near future.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2012 13:33:31 | More by mrfrancis

oberon

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Sessions in Greensboro.Poured into a tulip glass a deep ruddy brown mixed with a cherry color with a fluufy off white head atop.Deep sour cherry and dry sherry notes in the nose,a little intimidating for a non-sour lover like me.Sherry-like woody flavors mixed with sour cherries on the palate,when I say sour I mean sour like sherry vinegar and tart cherries.IT's a great beer for what it is,Iam not a huge fan of the style but I know it fits the bill very well.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2012 21:28:40 | More by oberon

drabmuh

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On draft at a local beer bar. Beer is dark red, maroon, no head and no lacing. Carbonation is low to non-existent, served in a snifter.

Classic sour smell, tart and lactic aroma.

This beer hurt my face when I drank it. My whole face puckered when I drank, the corners of my cheeks ached. My face kind of aches just from the memory. What I'm trying to say is holy sour batman. This is one sour mother of a beer. So tart, but the beer finishes cleanly. A good palate cleansing beer. Body was a little thin, but the drinkability is fine. Interesting and good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2009 20:08:51 | More by drabmuh

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Rattle 'N' Hum. A very good sour, dark reddish body with no head. Simplistic,simply very sour cherry .A little vinegar balanced by some malt. Medium mouthfeel, though some fruitness as if the skins of the cherry there. Some lace dots. I cannot pass up this style.Suitably carbonated.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2011 05:35:49 | More by northyorksammy

DoubleJ

California

3.93/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Toronado. Served in a small 6 ounce flute. On to the beer:

Light brownish red with hues of orange on the edges of the glass. Very little head sticks around for this one.Tart cherry all the way in the nose. In its taste, there's a tart strawberry/cherry combination that provides the base flavor. Light vinegar note livens things up, and touches of cheddar cheese on the palate shakens up the package. Mouthfeel is light, light-medium in the acidic department. All said, the overall package is good.

You can almost always expect a Flanders Red to be a treat, and Cuvée des Jacobins is another example you can put on that list.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2011 07:25:31 | More by DoubleJ

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Farmers' Cabinet, served in a goblet. The brew alpears a dark clear ruby color with a creamy tan cap that holds exceptionally well across the top. An entire wall of lacing effect forms a webbing pattern all across the glass.

The smell of this brew is cherry meets vinegar. It gives you the indication that this is going to be sour but also includes a touch of vanilla sweetness to contrast. There are some herbal to medicinal aspect to the nose but cherry and vinegar dominate the experience.

The taste is sour with some cherry flavoring and vinegar notes. Light funk and big salivation factor from the sourness. Earthy throughout until the finish with a light caramel malt and vanilla sweetness which contrasts and mellows the brew just a bit. The flavoring of vanilla sweetness comes out more as it warms and gets interesting verse the bacterial sourness that lingers.

This is a medium bodied brew with a light level of carbonation. Easy drinking and enjoyable at first, it is nice and sharp. Overall a good representation of the style but I was not enjoying it as much through the 2nd half of the glass. As it got warm, it got less enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2011 17:20:51 | More by stakem

osusullins

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Very dark red.

Nice nose. The tartness dominates the aroma, but I also pull some dark fruit and funk. I like the smell which is not usually the case for me and sours.

Taste is very tart with little to no carbonation. I am not a sour fan, however I have had quite a few because I have friends that keep trying to convert me to the sour side. That said, I like this one. Very tart, but the fruit sweetness balances it out. A pretty good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2011 05:01:31 | More by osusullins

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.93/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into chalice style glass

Appearance – A deep red-brown color which formed a moderate head upon pouring. There was a bit of lacing on the sides of the glass upon the loss of the head.

Smell – A sour cherry aroma hits you up front and persists throughout the aroma. Toward the end a more vinegary aroma mixes in to the sour cherry.

Taste – A nice sour cherry taste meets the tongue. The taste matches the smell quite nicely, and as soon after the sour cherry hits, a bit of more vinegary/acetic acid taste comes into play. It leaves a very bitter and sour taste on the tongue. While sour and bitter it is surprisingly very nice.

Mouthfeel –The sourness mixed with the bit higher level of carbonation which when combined make it a a slower drinking beer. The thickness is rather moderate, but again, due to its sour nature, it is one to sip and enjoy over the long haul.

Overall – A nice dryer sour. It has lots of sour cherry flavor and some nice aromas. A good slow sipping light abv.brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 03:07:31 | More by Darkmagus82

goblue3509

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear deep ruby red color with a thin edging which leaves strands of sticky lace around the glass. The aroma is faint and is of vanilla, cherry, and faint oaky notes. The taste follows suit with a big cherry vanilla taste which gives way to a great sourness. There is also notes of oakiness and spices when you let in play on the tongue, almost like a red wine flavor. The mouthfeel is moderately carbonated. Overall this is a very good beer, the aroma was hard to get to, but the rest of the beer was very good. The taste was well crafted with a nice complexity and smoothness.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 21:53:34 | More by goblue3509

Halcyondays

California

3.95/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours a standard burgundy typical of the style. Darkish off-white head, solid lace.

S: Some vinegar, cherries, light funk.

T: Starts off really Rodenbachy with some red wine characteristics, crisp acidity, cherries and strawberry. The beer then takes a sharp turn and tastes like cheese (mix of brie and sharp cheddar), then goes back to a more classic flavour in the finish, fun to taste and drink.

M: Not the most refreshing acidity, but a good body, soft carbonation.

D: This is a good example of the style all around and has a real nice mix of tastes. No problem drinking this one down, nice to have a good beer from a brewery I've never heard of before especially in this classic style.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2009 20:43:24 | More by Halcyondays

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.95/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Tiny white bubbles topping this red-tinged brown brew. Not much retention or lacing, but the style certainly doesn't require it.

Aromas of cherry, vinegar, sour apple, and barnyard funk. Elegant but slightly musty, like the blue cracked leather of a 1989 Cadillac El Dorado.

Well-attenuated and pleasant flavor, with lots of green apple sourness, cherry sweets, and a touch of vinegar acidity. Carbonation is high but not overly done. Easy to drink a glass, but not much desire for another. A well-done but not world class Flanders red.

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2009 02:50:30 | More by BretSikkink

wedgie9

Tennessee

3.95/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Tasted on draft at Quenchers. Pours very dark amber with a thin white head. Nose of brett, vinegar, red apple, citrus, and some cereal. Flavors of red wine vinegar, sour raspberry, red apple, and quince. Carbonation is very lively with a lighter body and a medium finish. This is a great example of what a sour beer should be. It isn't the best, but a prototypical example.

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2010 19:42:46 | More by wedgie9

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

8oz goblet on tap at the Rattle n Hum, I had this one on 7/12 at the Mikkeller Single Hop IPA event.

Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge pours a deep brown, with significant cherry highlights when the beer is backlit. There's a thin bit of dark cream colored foam that tops the beer. The nose is about what one might anticipate from the style. There's a definite acidic presence in the nose that's counterbalanced by a cherry pit aroma that nicely displays both some fruity notes and woody ones as well. I just wish that those aromas would have stood out more against the sour aspect of the nose. Cherry fruitiness definitely gains prominence to balance the vinegary nature of the beer, but at the expense of that nice subtle oak presence that is in the aroma. The body is nice and light, but the carbonation is a bit overdone and is distracting at times. Overall a solidly brewed Flanders Red Ale, though I still haven't found one that quite measures up to Rodenbach Grand Cru.

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2011 19:11:34 | More by axeman9182

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.95/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

11.2oz bottle, Batch #01(?)
Deschutes tulip

A: A really pretty dark, ruby red color. About a finger of off white almost light tan head. Fades pretty quick.

S: Funk. Dark tart cherries. Balsamic & apple cider vinegar. Smells really sour, for a Flemish.

T: I get some of that cherry tartness on the tip of the tongue. It's not overpowering, very pleasant. In the mid mouth, you get that apple cider vinegar flavor. Sweet malt bill leads into a really mellow cocoa flavor too. I don't get that much oak, but maybe a touch of vanilla as the beer warms. The finish is lip smacking and somewhat dry.

M: It says full bodied, but it's more like medium to me.

O: B+

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 13:23:11 | More by inlimbo77

taigor

New York

3.98/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a small glass.

A - Poured clear brown color with medium head that slowly dissipated leaving medium lacing around the glass.

S - Distinct smell of yeast and cherries.

T - Sour to start with slight honey sweetness but not too much. Has a nice cherry aftertaste.

M - Medium bodied with low carbonation.

O - Very good ale and I would recommend it if you can obtain it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2011 18:22:30 | More by taigor

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Map Room, served in a 12oz goblet. Dark blood red color, opaque until held up to a light (actually transparent with VERY low light transmission). Nice tart cherry aroma, a good deal of vinegar too which I guess you often get with the style.

Sweet tasting with loads of cherry flavor. Nice sour bite, with a lasting feeling of acidic etching on my enamel. Pretty much spot-on for the style, maybe a bit too much vinegar for my tastes but it fits the Flanders Red bill. Light carbonation and low ABV make this easy to pound, but I kept it at a leisurely nursing speed. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2011 19:49:47 | More by TurdFurgison

KAP1356

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap last night at Capone's. Served in a snifter...

A - Dark, murky, red, ruby color with very noticeable carbonation. Some slight egg-shell white head formed and stuck around for a little.

S - Nose was comprised of tart cherries and vinegar. Mild oak and some citrus snuck in as well.

T - Sweet flavors of nice tart cherries. Vinegar and lactic flavors follow nicely integrating themselves into the cherries.

M - Medium carbonation with a dryness to the finish which is quite nice.

O - Really nice for the style. Maybe a bit too puckering for the style, but that is just my personal preference.

Serving type: on-tap

07-08-2011 17:48:42 | More by KAP1356

Wadsey

Indiana

3.98/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge

Served in tulip at Three Floyds on July 29, 2011

A:  Appears clear dark amber with brewpub head that dissipates quickly. I'm not seeing much effervescence, but then again this beer is dark. 

S: This beer smells of vinegar, cherries, wood and vanilla. 

T: Vinegar is so strong it borders on balsamic. The other characteristics noted in smell are evident in taste. This beer is a little salty and sweet. 

M: Medium-light body and medium-high carbonation. Bright, lively mouthfeel. 

O: I think Cubee Des Jacobins Douge is a very bright, lively Flanders sour ale--a pleasure to drink on a Friday afternoon. 

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2011 23:48:26 | More by Wadsey

chakadrum

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had @ Bishop's Collar in Philly.

A pour that seemed to be over 12 oz. The color uad hint of rich red which was really nice.

Sour but not overly so. It would catch the average person off gaurd.

Good sour smell.

Nothing blew me away but a beer that makes you think about what beer can be.

In terms of flavor there is sour cherry and other sour dark fruit.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2012 21:03:18 | More by chakadrum

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: Philly Beer Scene Tasting panel with Matt Falco at Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, PA

I was privileged enough to be on the tasting panel for PBS Magazine, along with Bill Covaleski of Victory and Greg Ramirez of Exton Beverage. This was one of 21 beers we sampled during the session, and probably within my top 5 of those.

Poured a murky mahogany red color with a thin ringlet for a head. Woody aroma, bready malts and cherries, a bit acetic, which is no surprise for the style. The taste mirrored the nose pretty accurately: sweet and sour cherries, lactic and acetic notes, bready malt base. Soft and chewy, medium body, low carbonation, and quite drinkable for the style. I think I prefer a Kasteel Rouge to this, but it's surely not without its charm.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 00:16:58 | More by Rifugium

MrOH

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a very deep red, bordering on brown. Very clear. Little head that dissapates quickly.

Sour cherry, vanilla, and some deep malty tones on the nose. Smells sour, if that makes any kind of sense.

Very tart. Cranberries, sour cherries, lemon, vanilla, a bit of malt vinegar. Katey says it reminds her of the French 75 cocktail.

Medium bodied, fairly light carbonation.

A good beer that fits the style well. A bit more sour than I prefer, but still damn tasty.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 23:41:16 | More by MrOH

RuckusDu

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Not quite a finger of light tan head with larger bubbles. Body is a deep red and amber color. Almost cola like.

S - Super sour and sweet. Very strong. Cherries, strawberries, and raspberries. Only slight green berry aroma.

T - A strong sweet and sour mix. Well balanced but a bit over the top on both. Just like the aroma, strawberries, cherries, and raspberries. Lemon.

M - Punishes the tongue with acidity. Good carbonation and overall mouthfeel.

O - A nice sweet/sour beer. Lots of fruit/berries.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 02:56:17 | More by RuckusDu