Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge - Brouwerij Bockor N.V.

UCLABrewN84

California

4.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Boneyard Bistro in Sherman Oaks, CA.

Pours a clear cranberry juice color with a light tan head that settles to a thin cap. A foamy curtain of lace forms on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of sour and tart cherries and berries and some slight woody aromas. Taste is of sour and tart cherries with some slight berry flavors and an earthy and funky wood flavor. There is an acidic quality that lingers on the palate after each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly flat mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer with some very nice sour and tart aromas and flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2012 07:26:24 | More by UCLABrewN84

stevenstofen

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had this gem on tap at the Dirty Truth in Northampton Massachusetts. Served in a tulip glass.

A - Such a beautiful beer. Midnight Crimson-red with a finger head and little lacing. The head dissipated slowly, but was not there for the entire session.

S - Hints of sour apple, sour cherry, and unripe blackberries. A little yeast in the nose as well.

T - Identical to the smell. Again, I get a lot of sour cherry, and some oak notes. It reminded me of a really sour candy (kind of like sour fundip or warheads) but not nearly as sweet... because it was sour. Amazing!

MF - Here is where I thought the beer dominated. Extremely crisp despite the sour taste. Almost juicy. Like biting into an unripe apple with very little tannic acid.

O - A FANTASTIC beer. Worth trying if you haven't had it. Best sour to date that I have tried.

Serving type: on-tap

01-29-2012 07:58:12 | More by stevenstofen

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This brew was served from the tap into a standard chalice at Rattle N’ Hum in New York, NY. It appeared a deep auburn, reddish maroon. The head was one finger tall, made of active tan bubbles. Retention was decent, and thick lacing was left around the glass. Transparency was high, no sediment was noted, and carbonation appeared active. The aroma was extraordinarily tart and souring, bordering on the sourest of krieks. Aside from the obvious cherry, there was a puckering raspberry as well. The malts were crispy and toasty, boasting faint molasses. There were also some strong lactics, with other notes of funk, musk, and moss to make the back end just as sour. The yeast seemed related to Brett, but wasn’t an exact match. As we sipped, the taste began and tart and souring as the nose. There was musk, drying grain, cherry, and moldy woodiness. The malts became chalky and biting at the peak, where we got a white sugar sweetness, and a barnyard grassiness. This bright flavoring passed, leaving paler malts, and the tartness to take us to the finish. Here there was a vinegar twinge of sour lactics, more barnyard funk, and a cooled haze of wet grain. The aftertaste breathed of light, tart cherry and strawberry. The malts were also light and airy, leaving the aftertaste to be lighter than one might expect for such a robustly flavored beer. The body was light to medium and the carbonation was high. The mouth is left cooled and puckered, with slick coating. The latter even covers the lips. Again, we were surprised that this didn’t dry us out so much, but the feel was wonderfully pleasant. The abv was lower end and the beer drinks easily, but is more of a sipper.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the sourness. It was so tart, and so delicious. The musk and funk comes through insanely well in the nose, and doesn’t disappoint. The feel is also something to brag about. This beer goes close to being over the top, but never overwhelms the drink. This was a true treat.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2012 23:11:33 | More by TheBrewo

kazmanbrew

California

4.75/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

First time for this beer. I want disappointed. The pour into a goblet-style vessel was a little flat, just a thin light reddish brown head. The aroma was, however quite nice, a light acid, more fruit...probably cherry or berry:
Mouthfeel was perfect. Effervescent, sharp enough, but not puckering. Taste just great. Perfect balance of acid, richness of raisins and wine.

It's hard to believe I hadn't heard of this fine beer before...although I'm still fairly new to the style.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2012 03:05:22 | More by kazmanbrew

TMoney2591

Illinois

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

Served in a globe at SmallBar Fullerton.

Going from one historical reference to another... This one pours a clear scarlet-garnet topped by a finger-and-a-half of off-cream foam. The nose comprises red wine vinegar, oak, tart black cherry, light caramel, and light tomato juice. The taste holds notes of tomato, red vinegar, black pepper, raisins, toffee, deep cherry, light oak, and hot cinnamon. It all comes together very well without coming across as abrasive or stinging. The body is a slight medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a dry, sticky finish. Overall, a tasty Flanders red, one of the most enjoyable of the style I've yet encountered.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2012 22:29:19 | More by TMoney2591

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a 9oz snifter. Sampled 6/27/11.

The menu has this beer listed at 6% ABV and refers to it as an unblended lambic. Aged in oak vats for 18 months.

A: Arrives with the head already dissipated and only a think white collar remaining. The body is a deep garnet or ruby color and has excellent clarity. Minimal slings of lace adorn the glass.

S: Nose is a combination of cherry and raspberry. No barnyard, very little funk. Just fruit forward and mild lactic impressions. The nose is completely restrained compared to what the taste buds are about to experience. Not bad; just slightly above average.

T: Red apple, fresh berry and cantaloupe. Wonderfully sour. A pleasant oak character adds to the overall complexity. The funk that was missing in the nose comes through well on the palate.

M: The extremely fine and long-tingling effervescence helps to lengthen the flavors and clean up the tongue as well. Tart, mouth puckering. I wouldn’t change a single thing about the mouthfeel.

O: WOW. For such an incredible beer, you don’t hear much talk about Cuvee des Jacobins, and there are plenty of reviews to affirm its impressiveness. This is one fine brew.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2012 23:16:30 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

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

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at ChurchKey poured into a sampler glass. Poured a cloudy brown color with a mostly lasting frothy light brown head that mostly lasted with good lacing. Moderate to heavy sour tart cherry, fruit and yeast aroma. Medium to full body with a smooth texture and soft carbonation. Medium to heavy sweet&sour dark fruit flavor with a medium to heavy sour dark fruit finish of moderate to long duration.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2012 19:26:04 | More by CuriousMonk

fragilehearted

Texas

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

Had a few days ago at Rattle 'n' Hum in NYC, from notes/memories. Served on tap.

A - dark brownish red, a bit of head. Left lots of lace, beautiful.

S - Tart fruits, mostly cherries...vinegar-like aroma as well. The sour cherries dominate, though...absolutely outstanding. Not complex, but that's okay.

T - sour cherry as all hell, in the absolute best possible way. It was very sour without being offensive. There are other dark fruits in the background, but the cherries dominate.

M - Medium bodied. Carbonation was fine, smooth finish. Couldn't taste the booze at all, extremely well-hidden.

D/O - I could drink this every day if only this beer was sold by the bottle where I live. It's an outstanding example of the style. It would be one of my regulars if I could have it as such.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2011 07:46:04 | More by fragilehearted

beerwolf77

Wisconsin

4.47/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at just about every good beer bar in town. No idea where theses notes are from.

Dark rusty red. Solid finger of beige head. Sour cherry with hints of leather and tobacco. Flavors are similar to the nose. The sour cherry is the most dominating. However hints of leather, caramel, coffee and tobacco come through. Medium creamy body. Great all day sour for my money. Every time I go somewhere that has this i end up drinking several glasses. Can't wait for bottles to hit the states.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2011 19:44:56 | More by beerwolf77

vande

Illinois

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

a - a deep, glowing read with ample head upon the pull into a snifter bearing the same name as the beer itself

s - cherries, tartness, sugar, wood, bit of vinegar

t - tart right away, covered with cherries...a sour back, with bits of sugar and a hint of caramel

m - Lighter to medium in body; bit acidic yet smooth.

o - somewhat harder beer to locate, but quite enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2011 16:42:19 | More by vande

DIM

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

a: This was a dark, kind of murky amber color. it was served to me with a small ring of bubbles.

s: Prickly apple cider vinegar with lots of fruity aromas in the form of apples, pears, and raspberries.

t: Maybe not as comples as some, and certainly not as confrontationaly sour as some other examples of the style, but this was very satisfying. There was some puckering, vinegar-y sourness, but it was balanced nicely by tart berry and apple flavors. I also found something akin to sour candy.

m: Kind of heavy for the style and lightly carbonated.

o: Nice to try a flanders without the heartburn, I really enjoyed this.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2011 20:58:13 | More by DIM

VoiceOfTheSoul

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap, poured into a pint glass.

A Beautiful dark ruby, like black cherries. Fluffy light tan head, about a finger. Leaves a murky, everglade-like foamas the head shrinks.

S Tart cherries and raspberries with sugar and sweet caramelized oak, apples, limes.

T Burst of tart and acidity, cherries and a multitude of berries with some really great lemon bringing in a bit of citrus, apparent sweetness and strong sourness.

M STRONG up front sourness and acidity makes me pucker! But its got a nice sweetness all around with it like granulated raw sugar, reminds me of the grainy sugary feeling of a pair.

O This was a great drink, a bit of a sipper at first, even for me, but the sweetness really hangs on in the finish and in my mind after each sip.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2011 17:59:22 | More by VoiceOfTheSoul

paulginva

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

APPEARANCE: Poured from the tap into a stemless flute, this beer came to the table with a small, approximately 1/4" creamy medium tan head with fair head lacing, which dissipated fairly quickly. Carbonation was soft and the body was a muddy, very dark brown with ruby highlights.

AROMA: There was a heavy hit of vinegar-like sourness together with sour cherries, oak, and, as the beer warmed, a number of other light notes -- berries and grapes mostly.

TASTE: A light taste of toasted malts and yeast balanced the heavy vinegar sourness of cherries, a hint of wood and a light fruitiness. It was well-balanced but tilted just a little more toward a sour, tart astringency than I would have liked; nevertheless, a good example of a Flanders Red Ale.

MOUTHFEEL:Light to medium body with a smooth texture, moderate carbonation and fair body lacing that dissipated quickly. The initial flavor was a moderately tart sourness, followed by a somewhat acidic sourness that was a bit bitter and dry. The finish was quite long.

DRINKABILITY: This is a sipping beer and I wouldn't want to have more than one in an evening -- probably as a first beer. It was very approachable, had substantial complexity and purity, and is a great example of the style. Definitely a big "wow factor" here but once you get used to the sourness, the flavors really start to pop out.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2011 18:12:03 | More by paulginva

Offa

California

3.5/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap at the La Jolla Public House in La Jolla, CA. A good red ale, it is nevertheless a bit too tart and sour, with a tart sour cherry character dominating a bit too much.

Deep red, it had a medium off-white head thinning to a thin ring and wisps.

Aroma was nice strong, sweet-sour cherry, hint of vinegar and fermented wet bread dough.

Taste was some nice, sweet-sour cherry but overly tart and sour, lightly woody with finish of candy and grain, but tended to be too tart-sour, an element that soon dominated all else, making it one-dimensional and eventually tiresome.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 18:38:22 | More by Offa

ngeunit1

California

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

A - Pours a cloudy hazy copper-dark-red color with a finger of white head. The head fades fairly quickly leaving behind some lace.

S - Aroma is full of sour ant tart cherries. Touch of other fruit sweetness. Very sour and acidic.

T - Kicks off with some strong sour cherry tartness and sourness. Very sweet as well. Through the middle, the beer mellows a bit and some funkiness comes through. The finish is a mix of sour and tart cherries with some sweet darker fruits coming through.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a very sour and acidic mouthfeel.

D - Very drinkable. Nice complex and rich sourness and sweetness.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2011 05:19:25 | More by ngeunit1

rudzud

Massachusetts

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

Enjoyed on tap at Lion's Pride.

A - Poured into a tulip a nice rich, ruby garnet murky brown hue with a one finger creamy off white head that left nice, rich side lacing.

S - Very nice sour notes. Tart, dark fruits, and vinegar.

T - Sour, crisp, and tart right up front. More dark fruits (though this time cherries is distinguishable) and vinegar. Very sour.

M - Very puckeringly vinegar sour. Crisp, dry finish.

O - This was a very delicious flanders beer, one of my favorites in this style. Definately would have on tap again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2011 22:03:31 | More by rudzud

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

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

A-Pours brown/ruby with a light bubbly tan head with hints of cranberry. Light lacing. Hazy body. Looks pretty.

S-Smells awesome. Very tart. Tart unripened fruit and vinegar like notes. Fairly intense.

T-Oh so very sour. What a great tart taste. Sour red fruit flavors. One of the most tart beers i have ever had. Tastes like a Warhead candy on the first sip.

M-Very carbonated with a relatively light body. Crisp and super bubbly.

O/D-What a great Flanders Red. I love how intensely sour this is. Definitely a sipper. But very, very tasty. Happy to have had a glass.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2011 22:00:02 | More by VelvetExtract

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

shortbus7

Ohio

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

Poured on tap at Melt into a 12 oz glass.

A: A dark red ruby color. Very appealing.

S: Dark fruit and vinegar.

T: Cherries, figs, currents. Some slight vinegar and quite sour.

M: Smooth, tart, and the perfect amount of carbonation.

O: This is a very good beer. Definitely worth seeking out. A very big surprise to me.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2011 01:33:42 | More by shortbus7

isitsavage

Texas

4.3/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Smoke and Barrel in DC.

I love sour beers! But honestly I'm a bit new to them and craft beers in general so don't base your decisions too heavily on this review.

Arrived at my table in a tulip glass. Nice dark red (Rouge) with about a finger of off-white head.

Usually with sour beers I get a lot of it in the nose. Here, I just wasn't getting much. The sourness was there but not really in a big way.

Taste is a nice fruity sour, thinking maybe cherries and apples but honestly I'm not sure. I think the balance of sweet to sour is pretty good here but I haven't met a sour brew yet that I thought was too tart, seems like I could always have more sour.

Nice mouthfeel, prickly carbonation and smooth. Nice, dry finish.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2011 01:34:45 | More by isitsavage

KDawg

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured from draft and poured a nice dark red color with a small head.

excellent aromatics with some funk, sour apples, cherries and spices. Nice depth as well with a good tart quality too

medium/full bodied with a nice acidic bite to it. Very good feel as well. This is a real quality sour and gives just the right amount of sourness

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2011 23:11:21 | More by KDawg

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

auroracrisis

Kentucky

4.28/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into an oversized wine glass at 2011 Zwanze day in Louisville at Holy Grale.

Clear brownish copper with a head upon pouring. Dissipates immediately into a ring of foam around the edges.

Extremely vinous with highlights of fruit. Cranberries and currants are the most prominent, and a touch of stone fruit vinegar. Some aged balsamic sourness as well.

Fruit forward with cranberries, grapes and currants with some fruit vinegar-like acidity. Much less wine like on the tongue than the nose, but very dry and puckering.

Thin-medium with spotty carbonation. Plenty of drying and a nice pucker from the acidity.

Good wine-like fruit qualities on the nose with a great balance of fruit and acidic flavors on the tongue. Plenty of drying and puckering moutfeel as well. A well rounded Flanders red.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2011 01:41:06 | More by auroracrisis

Bung

North Carolina

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

Tap at Thirsty Monk Asheville.
Brownish amber pour, about a finger of off white head.

Aroma, red wine vinegar, some apple and lemon zest, faint cherry.

Taste is tart up front. Lemon zest, tart cherry and green apple. Quite sour, unless you're desensitized to it.

Light bodied, but the carb made it almost creamy. Becomes a bit acidic to me though. Very interesting, however I don't have much to compare it too.

As it went on I found this to be quite a chore to drink. Probably still not quite my thing.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2011 01:27:36 | More by Bung