Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge - Brouwerij Bockor N.V.

DCon

Missouri

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

Enjoyed on-tap @ Naja's Place in Redondo Beach, CA for $9. Tapped into a 16oz Allagash Tulip Glass from a Tap Handle I could not see...

Aroma- Very intense sour aroma with nice amount of cherries or plums combined. Bit of spiciness and is a great aroma that you can come back to over and over to try anyd find more character.

Appearance- Received with a 1 finger head that stays around for a bit. Dark reddish-brown color body that is blizzard like with all the yeast. Awesome lace and is a definite "eye candy" beer.

Flavor- Huge acidic and sour flavor that never dies down at any part of the drink! Once again, cherries and plums are involved here. Good character with fruity finish but never that sweet.

Mouthfeel- Light-Medium Bodied, Low Carbonation, Tons of sourness at the finish, and leaves great amount of fruit on the palate that is like sour candy.

Overall Impression- Very complexed, sour, and gives the Flanders Red Ale style a good name! Such a huge amount of yeast in this beer, it was crazy when I received my glass! Fantastic ale once again @ Naja's!

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2011 04:19:12 | More by DCon

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

jbertsch

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -27.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

On tap.

Dark mahogany color, with just a little head suds-like head. Showed nice clarity for a darker brew.

Aroma is tart, sour, and acidic, but some bittersweetness is there as well in the form of cherry notes and raspberry notes.

WOW – this is the most sour thing I’ve ever tasted. It’s mouth puckering. The flavor profile is nice, however. The fruit flavors mirror the cherry and raspberry notes in the aroma.

Mouthfeel is thins and crisp. Refreshing, though in a smack-you-in-the-face kinda way.

I actually couldn’t finish this complete as the tartness was a bit much for me…even for the style, which is something I thought I liked. It actually started to hurt my stomach, but I may have had other things going on there. Worth a try if you like sour Flemish reds, lambis, and krieks. But be forewarned of the tart stranglehold it takes on you…

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2011 18:09:20 | More by jbertsch

readbaron

Illinois

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

Another solid offering off of 3Floyds guest tap list.

Crisp, clear, dark reddish-brown - nearly pinot noir in color with wispy white head that fades into a ring. Leaves behind some sticky white lacing.

Nose is pretty straight forward - acedic tartness and sour cherries with a bit of oak and vinegar on the finish.

Taste is sour! Mouth puckering, gland squeezing, nearly tongue burning, yet still delicious. Lots of cherries, and some oak and vinegar. A bit of grape skin tannins as well.

Light, crisp, and well carbonated.

Overall - a solid sour. I was surprised at how tart it is. Really enjoyed this one. I'll definitely order it again should I happen to see it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2011 21:20:53 | More by readbaron

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

Bierguy5

Ohio

4/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Small Bar Fullerton. Ruby red color, white head is really an afterthought. Some patches of lace.

Sour cherries and tart berries come through in the nose. A bit of a sherry vinegar feel. Earthy hops at the finish.

Tart cherries, with a dry feel. Some acidity really makes this refreshing. Sour, but not overwhelming.

Lighter body, good feel from the carbonation. Very nice for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2011 21:34:44 | More by Bierguy5

Asher1982

Maryland

4.72/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I just had this on draft at Always Ron's in Hagerstown, MD. The beer had a very nice bronzy red color with a nice opaque head. You could tell from the smell that this beer was going to make you pucker in a good way. The taste was everything I hoped it would be. The sourness was immediately apparent but their were some other nice notes of dark fruit and fresh bread. It had a very nice carbonation in the mouth that made it feel very refreshing despite the beautiful tartness. If you dig sour beers, this is one to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2011 22:42:47 | More by Asher1982

aasher

Indiana

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

On tap at Brugge in Indianapolis for Sour Night. It arrived looking like a Coca Cola without carbonation. It smells of sour and tart cherries, granny Smith apples, and pears. It's very interesting yet pleasant. The flavors too are heavy on the cherries and sour apples. It's very nice. The sourness is very well meshed with the fruity sweet finish. It drinks well and is definitely worth trying again. This is a fine beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2011 02:27:36 | More by aasher

uselessgdtaste

California

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

Old review

On tap at Beachwood BBQ.

This beer reminded me a lot of the Ommegang Rouge, except just a slight bit more sour.

Then, I found out that Ommegang did not brew their Rouge at their site. Instead they contract brewed it...with Bockor. Their similar taste profiles made a lot more sense.

As with the Rouge, the beer is like a vinegary and lactic acidy version of a Dr. Pepper with some beer style carbonation and characteristics added in for good measure. The flavor is truly remarkable and unique. It is something I would definitely go out of my way to have again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2011 18:14:26 | More by uselessgdtaste

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

gatornation

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap @ busters

A- pours a clear light ruby color with some brown hues a very fresh staying collar hung around

S- was fruit and light vinegar with tart kriek smells

T- was tart with sweet cherries upfront followed by vinegar tastes and more puckering fruit like raspberries a sweet finish

M- was medium carbonation with a nice sweet tart fruit feel

O- loved this on tap it was sweet and tart a treat to drink

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2011 21:34:27 | More by gatornation

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

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

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

Was accidentally delivered this while at Stone. Liked it so much, ordered another.

Bright red with amazing clarity, looked more wine than beer, a nice claret. Aroma was plenty sour, mild oakiness, sour cherry, lime, lemon.

Never had a Flanders this intense in terms of its lactic sourness, a nice development. Can really seem like you get the gritty red wine tannins up in this one as well. But the body is so light, not murky brown alesque that some lesser examples in the style will have. Very clean, takes on its own green appleness later. Clean and complex, how did they do it? Wouldn't be surprised if there is raspberries to this one as well, the color is bright enough, reminscient of Cantillon's Rose de Gambrinus.

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2011 21:05:27 | More by Beerandraiderfan

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

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

Served on tap in a tulip at Hopleaf.

Appearance: This comes out with a dark brown addition to a cherry color, with just a little light able to sneak through. An off-white ring is all the head I get.

Smell: This one is going to be sour. Great tart cherry aroma, with a bit of raspberry, vanilla, and oak. The vinegar nature of the beer is already apparent.

Taste: The flavor is fully tart, there is no doubt about it. A robust dark orchard fruit blend is led by red cherry, with a good amount of vanilla and oak adding some depth to the flavor without getting in the way of the strong vinegar and tartness. After a few sips, my taste buds recover from the tartness a little bit, and sweet cherry and raspberry flavors are noticeable at the beginning of the sip.

Mouthfeel: This is sour and acidic enough to keep me salivating from first sip until five minutes after I am finished with the glass. Still medium bodied, with lightly bubbly / lightly creamy medium carbonation. A tannic dryness finishes out each sip.

Overall: This really connected with what I was after at the moment. The combination of dark fruits and a fire hose blast of sour really rocked my palate.

Serving type: on-tap

06-28-2011 18:43:34 | More by KickInTheChalice

smakawhat

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass at Dupont Pizza Paradiso DC.

A gorgeous dark cherry red clear body gives way to a very nice creamy off white head. Wonderful brown hues around the edges, it's like a shining ruby in a glass.

Kriek sour cherry lambic smelling and mild wet sour feeling on the nose. Quite refreshing.

Taste is a good mix of sour, then just a little hint of sweetness. Extremely light viscous quality, seems more lambic in sense but with a fizzy tonic water finish.

Overall a pretty tasty beer that seems to have an interesting mix of good qualities. Not aggressive and an easy drinking abv to go along with it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-27-2011 23:02:22 | More by smakawhat

johngallardo

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Malt and Vine in Redmond WA.
Great tasting beer for this style. Crisp sour flavor made for a nice sunny afternoon beer. Nice sweetness without feeling too overpowering. Absolutely no hop flavor. Nice carbonation leading to good mouthfeel.

Overall I was really happy with it!

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2011 14:35:22 | More by johngallardo

oline73

Maryland

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

I had this on-tap at Frisco Taphouse. Poured into a goblet.

Appearance: Pours a reddish dark amber color with not much head.

Smell: Sour and tart. Hints of fruit and vinegar, mildly sweet.

Taste: Quite tart. Lots of vinegar flavor with cherry and raspberry notes. A bit sweet from the malt and a tart finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with mild carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: A very nice and smooth sour beer. The balance is quite nice as well. I enjoyed this one very much.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2011 21:53:30 | More by oline73

UpToMeBeer

Colorado

4.72/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this one on-tap at Fresh Craft in Denver.

A-- Dark rosy & brownish in color. Foamy head of about one-finger; it fades slowly with minimal to moderate amount of lacing.

S-- Tart fruit - apple, cherry, and berries.

T-- tart sour fruits-- cherry dominant with a hint of plumb. Semi-sweet. Long tart fruity finish.

M-- medium-bodied, mouth puckering, just the right amount of carbonation.

I like my sours on the extreme side, and this beer definitely delivers! I only had one glass. Not sure I would want more than that in one session. I feel like a little goes a long way, but I sure do enjoy a little!

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2011 00:18:14 | More by UpToMeBeer

dirtylou

Washington

4.78/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

on-tap, map room chicago - have had this on tap a number of other times in WI

appearance: served in an unbranded tulip, dark garnet body and a light beige ring, active carbonation

smell: very tart - red wine vinegar, pure sugar, tart cherry and raspberry, oak barrel

taste: really wonderful example of the style - maybe the best really. tart cherries, raspberry, sugar, oak barrel, cider vinegar. Each sip is more stunning than the last - vibrant, tongue buckling, exciting, provocative. very much perfect.

mouthfeel: tart and lively, wonderful.

overall: very very good

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2011 23:14:55 | More by dirtylou

yeahnatenelson

Illinois

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

Imbibed at Hopleaf in Chicago, IL

Appearance -- Pours a garnet hue with a narrow beige ring. Good clarity.

Smell -- Cider vinegar, tart cherry and berries, cut green apple, wet oak, and some quintessential 'red' malt aroma. Acidic and tart, but not overwhelmingly so.

Taste -- Lots of tart, semisweet fruit notes: bing cherry, under-ripe raspberry, green apple. Acetic cider vinegar is prominent, but again, not overwhelming. Malt sweetness is moderate - just enough to keep the acetic tartness from becoming overbearing. Nice depth, but still very well balanced.

Mouthfeel -- Probably the highlight of this beer. Medium-bodied with the perfect effervescence that is not harsh. Pretty much the ideal.

Overall -- Very nice. Quenching would be an apt description. Nice depth of flavors and tartness level to remain a contemplative beer while still being easy-drinking. Paired perfectly with my Belgian frites.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2011 03:36:06 | More by yeahnatenelson

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.3/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

As sours are all the rage, the Flander's reds might be the most complex with their wine-like notes, cherry, and oak flavors layered on a buffer of light chocolate and toast to buffer against the tart lactic acidity- this is what the Bockor Jacobins does masterfully.

The red ale pours with a garnet brownish red and dark clarity with ruby highlights toward the edge of the glass. Very fine and delicate creme forms on the beer with solid staying power for it's slight stature (the acidity rarely allows for much head character at all). Low on lace, the beer carries the thin alcoholic character of legging with each swirl of the glass. The look is caught somewhere between red wines and beers.

Sharp aromas of acidic cider, sour cherries, lemons/limes, under rippened red grapes and berries, with a hint of basalmic vinegar. Oak and malts give the sligtness of walnuts, mild toast, and chocolate to round out the nose.

Flavors follow suit as early malt sweetness and taste is short lived; favoring the assertive tartness as the beer hits the sides of the tongue. The brunt of lactic sourness (lemons and intense acidity) is melded by the flavor of cherries and berries before the shy balance of malt richness begins to buffer the sour taste. The light sweetness of toffee and toast are burried deep beneath the tartness but are recognized in a light creamy taste rather than sweetness. Only the mild vinegar character keeps it from extreme cleanliness.

Light malt textures offer a mild creaminess that surface more at the front of the palate and in finish, while the acidity supresses the malt character at mid palate. Impressions of thinness occur throughout because of the intese sourness and mild tanic astringency particularly in finish. All this leaves the beer clean, crisp, and refreshing-all with a return of chocolate and toasted malt in aftertaste as the tartness subsides.

This is a very well done Flander's red ale that retains just enough malt character to add balance and complexity to the sourness. Where vinegar and cidery overtones are a general flaw, the basalmic and fresh crabapple sturdiness is as much an asset as a deterant in this classic example.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2011 16:28:47 | More by BEERchitect

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

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

mactrail

California

3.48/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Very sour beer hews to Belgian tradition.

Deep reddish brown in the glass. Aroma not to accessible until the chill wears off. Then it's like a hot horse, that whiff of the stable. Not much malt to sustain the sharp sourness. No apparent hops, but certainly some bitter and murky flavors. Some bread and yeast, and especially a mineral flavor. Seems very salty in the aftertaste.

An hour later I can still feel the woody sourness. What a great vinegar this would make! Had a tulip glass at the Pizza Port in Ocean Beach (San Diego).

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2011 06:54:24 | More by mactrail

jibbyvonjibb

California

4.03/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: burgundy, clear but little light comes through
S: acetic Flanders character (not sure how else to describe)
T: sharp acidity, acetic vinegariness, caramel sweetness balancing sourness a bit
M: high carb, light body but not thin.
O: a refreshing drink. Might be too sour for some. I would try again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2011 19:38:37 | More by jibbyvonjibb