Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge - Brouwerij Bockor N.V.

fdig23

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Murky reddish brown

Nose: Pungent over-ripe apple, sour cherry, strawberry, vanilla, and honey, some farm-yard funk. Very vinous.

Taste: Complex and delicious. Juicy apple, sour cherry, sweet honey, oaky vanilla, a bit of hay bale funk. Could identify dozens of flavors in here. Reminiscent of nice Pinot Noir, but more complex and bold.

Mouthfeel: perfectly creamy and carbonated.

One of the most complex, intriguing, and delicious beers I've had. Truly something you could sip on for hours and continuously discover new things. A favorite for sure.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 07:13:12 | More by fdig23

matjack85

Illinois

4.83/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I had this on tap at Quencher's Saloon in Chicago. It was served in a brandy snifter filled to the halfway point, so maybe 10oz worth of beer.

Nice garnet red color with a 1-finger pinkish head that lasted awhile and left decent lacing.

The beer smelled like one of those sweet & sour fruit roll-ups made with a combination of sweet raspberries and sour cherries.

This stuff is sweet, sour, puckering, and delicious. Some red wine grape flavors infuse their way into the sweet raspberry and sour cherry flavors. Then add some additional malt for more sweetness, but balance that out with a hefty dose of that funky Belgian yeast. Not much hop presence. I think they use the tartness and sourness to balance all the sweetness here rather than adding any bitterness. A slight woodiness also works to keep it from being overly sweet.

If you're thinking this might be thick and syrupy, it's not. They found a way to keep it on the thin and refreshing side. Lots of puckering sourness with only moderate carbonation.

This is a delicious Flanders Red that I thoroughly enjoyed. The only thing keeping me from having another is its high price tag. At $8/glass I have to consume it as a once in awhile treat rather than an everyday guzzler.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2010 07:28:30 | More by matjack85

gigaknight

Illinois

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

Purchased 02/09/12 at Binny's in Downers Grove,IL for $21.99. Batch 01.

A- Pours deep cherry red below a very hissy 2 finger enamel white head, which slowly settles into a pleasant film. I suppose the nose suggests that it should look a bit stickier in the lacing, but then again most Flanders Reds I've tried are too dry to leave really beautiful lacing. Nonetheless, this particular example does leave some reasonable legs. Very good considering the style.

S- Robust nose of tart cherries, apple cider vinegar, light caramel, and lemon zest. I could smell this beer as soon as I popped the cap, and a nicely bowled glass lets it open up very nicely. A bit of musty oak comes out upon sitting, which counters the tart sweetness in the nose nicely.

T- The beer immediately hits the palate with acetic notes of vinegar, followed by lush notes of blackberries, tart cherry, and more of that musty oak resonance to keep the sharpness of the other flavors in check. This is an absolute gobsmacker, but moves across the palate with grace. Finishes dry, but a lingering tartness remains for several moments, making the mouth water.

M- A tongue-puckering tartness is present for much of the sip, but it avoids unpleasantness at the hand of the myriad other flavors in play. This acidity also fades from the palate with reasonable pace, in as much that it won't get in the way of whatever food one might pair it with. Juiciness is derived from the sour notes, and provides good counterpoint to the otherwise dry mouthfeel and fine effervescence. Absolutely delicious.

O- Edging out Monk's Cafe as my favorite Flanders Red, Cuvee des Jacobins Rouge exemplifies the ideal balance in sours of this nature. It's really a treat to have them finally brought around here, and even one beer into the 4 pack, I feel that I got my money's worth out of the somewhat steep price tag.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 20:26:15 | More by gigaknight

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

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

richcwilliamson

Virginia

4.8/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had at rfd in dc. Agree with gentleman below:

"It pours a dark red with a white head that dissipates into great lacing.

Smell is dark fruit with a little funk and a hint of vinegar.

Taste is tart and sour, one of the sourest Flanders I have ever had. But it was great! Taste of sour cherries and grapes with a slight funk and vinegar finish. Not so much sweet as sour.

Good smooth mouth feel with an ending that makes you pucker.

This is a very balanced Flemish red, one of the best I have ever had. Great drinkability and flavor left me craving more. A great find if you can get it!"

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2011 22:46:40 | More by richcwilliamson

DavidST

Texas

4.8/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Found this one in San Antonio during my honeymoon, I'm excited to try it. Poured from a 33cl bottle into a goblet, code of 03 on the back. This pours a slightly hazy dark brown with hints of read and a smaller fizzy short lived head. The smells are very tart and vinegary, sour cherries, brett, some barnyard funk and a hint of vanilla. The feel is medium, high carbonination. The taste is amazing, extremely tart / sour, almost overwhelming, but then you get a hint of sweet balance, some vanilla, plenty of sour cherries. I wish I bought more of these, this is excellent, one of the finest sours I've had.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 05:49:19 | More by DavidST

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

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

riored4v

Colorado

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

Poured a deep ruby color in to my tulip glass. 1/2 finger, white head that faded quickly to a thin ring on the outside.

Aroma was amazing. Dark fruit, cherry, and a good amount of acidity. Some oak aroma and a light maltyness. A bit of raisen as well.

Sour and tart. Good amount of cherry, prune and dark fruit upfront. Turned a mellow sweetness, then a smack you in the sides/back of your mouth tart/sourness. Good amount of tannins and acidity. Light oak flavors. Clean finish with mild acidity and grape flavors leaves you wanting more.

Mouthfeel was medium body, medium/high carb and a super dry finish.

One of the better/best sours I've had. Great balance of flavors with some nice complexity in the flavors that blend really well.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 00:42:21 | More by riored4v

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

mikeyv35

New York

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

Date: 01/23/2012
Type: 11.2oz. Bottle
Vintage: Back Label Had 01, maybe 2001?
Glass: Ommegang Chalice

Pours a very wine-esque ruby red w/ brown mahoghany highlights, w/ a 1/2 finger white head that produces nice sticky lacing. Aromas of cherry, oak, Luden's cherry cough drops(medicinal), and funk. Taste starts off w/ face distorting tart/sour cherry and apple, which leads into oak and a touch of cocoa, and finishes w/ a funky twang. Medium bodied and lush. Great depth of flavors and finishes pretty dry.

Overall, this brew blew me away! Hands down the best Flanders Red I have ever had. Squashes Oude Tart! Also, just found out this brewery helped brew Ommegang Rouge, no wonder it is rated so high. Seek this brew out, it is the real deal.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 18:56:53 | More by mikeyv35

MtnBiker

Oklahoma

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

Poured into a Flanders goblet from a 33cl bottle. Pours a nice, dark reddish-brown with a fizzy head that quickly dissipates. Smell is of some sour fruits. The first few sips are almost like sucking on a lime it's so sour! Tastes like sour cherries and green apples, delicious! Great carbonation. This is in my book one of the best sours out there. Definitely the best I've had.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 01:53:31 | More by MtnBiker

WynnO

Florida

4.73/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer's appearance is what you expect for the style--dark brown, reddish. The smell is like old fruit that's gone sour. It prepares you for what's coming :-)

The initial taste is *quite intense*, knocking me a little harder than others in this class. I must admit a love for flagellation from Flanders Red's though, and this one does not disappoint. This seems a slightly bigger beer than its Belgian brothers (Rodenbach, Duchesse) only because the palette doesn't take to it as quick; the last drink from the glass still had a great sour kick to it.

It is a bit bubbly on the tongue but not overwhelmingly so. The beer is well balanced and dry, although I must say, this one wants to make sure that the drinker does not forget what it is!

Near perfection to this reviewer. I cannot wait (but I must) to drink the remaining two in my stock.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 04:33:07 | More by WynnO

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

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

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

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

Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge
Brouwerij Bockor

Appearance: A beautiful Flemish red color, poured vigorously leaves a sturdy creamy head that fades. Some lace clings to the side and effervescent carbonation is rising to the top.

Smell: Rich aroma of wild yeasts, chocolates, cherry, ripe stone fruit, lemon, apple, musty basement and faint apple cider vinegar.

Taste: Wholeheartedly sour. Layers of sour. Sharp sourness like biting an unripe lemon, giving way to a sour apple tartness and vinegar tones following. Cherry, young raspberry pits and even chocolate flavors emerge. There is a subtle candy sugar sweetness. Dry oaky tannins last in an elegant finish with plenty of sourness.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, well carbonated. Drying. Pretty much puckering sour, and in the best possible way.

Overall: About as perfect example of the traditional red ales in Flanders as you will ever find. Sip and savor this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 05:30:14 | More by Stinkypuss

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

4.7/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

P: Dark ruby cola appearance with a thin layer of micro bubble off white head. Small amount if active bubbles floating to the top.

S: Tart lemon zest, stone fruit, vanilla oak, and bing cherries. Dry powdery yeast and a faint aroma of dried slobber like after you wake up and realized you slobbers on the pillow.

T/M: Super tart lemon zest, apples, oak and vanilla. Hoppy stone fruit, white grapes and bitter apple peels. Light-medium sharp body and super aggressive carbonation thar really brings out the tartness. A puckering finish lingering apple peels and floral notes.

O: Wow! This is by far the best Flanders red I have drank. Super sour yet underlined fruit notes that bring this all together quite nicely. Hops and yeast really makes this better than an average Flanders that is just straight sour. Get this when you can. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 03:10:54 | More by Hopswagger

morimech

Minnesota

4.68/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle with 01 stamped on the back label. Dark red color with some clarity. Minimal head forms and quickly settles to a thin skim of bubbles. Small bits of lacing is left on the glass during consumption.

This is a terrific smelling beer. Complex combination of tart cherries, barnyard/horse blanket, and floral finish.

Awesome flavor as well. More tart/sour than funky although the barnyard funk is definately noticeable. Fruity with notes of cherries and apples. Subtle barrel-aging notes of oak and vanilla. Just a slight sweetness in the finish. Great combination and not one noted.

Lighter bodied with near perfect carbonation for this type of beer. A little lively which I particularly enjoyed.

Other than the pour this is a great sour that I never heard of before seeing it on the shelf.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 17:37:41 | More by morimech

Em0r

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Wow. I was looking for a low alcohol, light beer to finish off a near perfect afternoon of a craft burger and craft beers at Bad Apple. The "tart and fruity" description piqued my interest, so I pulled up my best college French and ordered it up.

The beer had a nice deep red appearance with a fruity nose. The subtlety ended at the first sip. This beer packs a punch! As a kid, if you didn't like stuffing a load of SweetTarts in your mouth for the pure pain/pleasure, this beer isn't for you. However, if you like tartness and interesting flavors, this is one of the most unique and and enjoyable beers I've tasted.

The initial punch is followed up by subtle cherry notes. The beer finishes smoothly (sorta like March...in like a lion, out like a lamb). This was a perfect finish to my meal, which included some potent chilis. The sour start complimented the heat, and the fruity finish was "desserty" without being too sweet or gimmicky.

I can't wait to have this beer again. It's truly a memorable pour.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2011 22:13:14 | More by Em0r

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.61/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 5

Cuvée des Jacobins. Notched with an '01' on the back label. Poured into a Duchesse de Bourgogne goblet and enjoyed side-by-side with The Lost Abbey Red Poppy Ale.

Murky brown off the pour with a third of an inch of bone-colored head. Red-orange hues are seen through bright light. Bubbles sporadically popping on the surface with a foam glaze lingering. Organic shapes of lace splotch on one side of the glass.

Strong acetic character in the nose. Balsamic notes that writhe amongst mellow vanilla, tart cherry sweetness, and some phenolic characters. Soft, vinous, and almost buttery. Exceptional.

Balanced between tart and sweet and woody. This beer is dripping with a juicy vinegar note that is so fruity and appealing. Tart cherries impart a little bit more sourness and some fleshy sweet tones reminiscent of apple and quince. Then, there's an oaky bitterness in the middle-to-finish that melts into flashes of vanilla and spicy alcohol.

Medium body and sparkling with spritz. Lively feeling. Any more heft to the body would have been appreciated over here.

A different league of beer altogether here. Vast complexities, yet all of the usual tasty delights to get fixated on are right there and upfront for you to savor. A model Flanders Red, without question. A rival to my Duchesse and Rodenbach Grand Cru. Will buy up as many as I can.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 02:21:29 | More by thecheapies

Casey10

Maine

4.6/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Got to try on tap from Lions Pride given as a on the house drink from the owner (thank you Chris).

A - red hue cherry like coloring.

S - Nice smell fruity

T - really nice smooth a sour taste with cherries being the main component.

M - Tart yet smooth again cherries.

D - Could drink a bunch of these. Very smooth was so glad I got to try this very good !!!

Serving type: on-tap

07-08-2009 23:07:31 | More by Casey10

rand

California

4.6/5  rDev +6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From tap to wine glass at Toronado San Diego

Pours a clear ruby-red, little head and little lacing. Some very tiny bubbles seem to be swarming about, but it looks like there's little carbonation. It smells of cherries, raspberries and vinegar. Clean, refreshing nose as a touch of funk and alcohol complete the bouquet.

It feels light and refreshing on the palate, but the sour, puckering aspects quickly dominate. And not in a bad way - the sour tastes clean and tart, not at all spoiled. Red wine vinegar combines with cherries and grapes. Funky, earthy tones linger in the backdrop, reminding you that this is indeed beer. Although the carbonation is light, it seems to lift the beer toward the end of the sip, finishing just slightly lemony sour and sweet.

From my experience, this is one of the best examples of a Flander Red. It's almost like drinkable vinegar, which sounds weird, but once your palate has adjusted is completely addictive.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2011 06:24:05 | More by rand

timtim

District of Columbia

4.6/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

review #420... possibly the best flanders red i've ever had. or is it an unblended old lambic? makes me wish there was a rating between 4.5 and 5.0. clear brown with a tan head that has decent retention and leaves some chunks of lace as it goes. nose is brighter, cleaner, purer and less sweet than it's more commercial counterparts. dark fruit, vinegar, wood, a touch of almost salty minerality, and some really nice earth as well as just a hint of bretty cherry pie. hard to explain what i mean by clean or pure here, but the funk seems unadulteratedly natural. taste is balance and harmony of all of the above with sweet and sour at near perfect levels. medium body is soft and silky with enough pucker power to make me salivate, and nowhere near cloying or sticky. just seems to go down sooo easily and way too quickly. flavors explode on the palate to be wiped clean by acid and mild carbonation. truly a great experience. amazing beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2011 13:17:07 | More by timtim

Jfriz25

Wisconsin

4.6/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance- dark rich brownish red with little head. Lots of tiny champagne bubbles.

Smell- smells tart and woody. I get way more wood on the nose than in the taste.

Taste- puckering awesome sourness! Besides that the main thing I get is apple and a little unripe plum in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel- medium body with great carbonation.

Overall- this is my favorite example of the style. I love how it starts sour pretends it is going to sweeten but doesn't before leaving with a dry finish. My only complaint is the $6 for a 11.2 oz bottle but it doesn't stop me from semi regularly buying one or two.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 20:24:05 | More by Jfriz25