Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge - Brouwerij Bockor N.V.

Spiderhouse

California

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

A--Dark plum color, heavy lacing, nice foamy head with great retention.

S--Prunes, dark cherries, aged vinegar.

T--Fantastic. The usual Flanders suspects are here--cherries, a hint of oak, wine vinegar--but there's a deep concentration of fruit usually not found in ales of this style that is exquisite.

M--Velvety, creamy, delightful. Heavy for this style.

D--Extremely drinkable. A fantastic beer (the best of this style that I've had to date), with a low ABV and a taste that is delicious. Awesome stuff.

Served in a Delirium tulip glass @ Lucky Baldwin's, Pasadena, CA

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2009 01:40:51 | More by Spiderhouse

corcoranjc

Minnesota

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

On tap at Muddy Waters new location over by lyn/lake...doing this one by memory, but it was so different for me and such a nice beer i think i can remember well enough for the review.

appearance: dark red...very attractive. little head on this one, but a nice looking beer.

smell: tart. cherries. little vinegar. very nice...makes you want to drink.

taste: lots of great sourness right away that dissipates into a dark fruit sweetness at the end. very dry in the end (i'm surprised the abv isn't higher)...

mouthfeel: really nice. great carbonation upfront and nice cloying, drying feel at the end...really nice.

Overall: i will drink this beer again the moment i have the chance. really wonderful stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2011 05:05:43 | More by corcoranjc

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

lownote

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A really dark red beer with some visible carbonation. It smells a little fruity, mostly cherries. The beer also tastes very cherry, with a serious sour after taste. The beer was very light and carbonated - almost tasting fizzy. Enjoyable and really pushes the idea of what to expect when you sit down to drink a beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2009 20:57:30 | More by lownote

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

MrBeerExpert

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

On tap at Draught House

A: Deep ruby and nearly opaque. Off-white head with
medium lacing.

S: Sour cherry, cranberry, apple cider vinegar

T: Sour cherry dominates. Definitely towards the sour end of
the spectrum for the style.

M: Medium carbonation adds to the sourness, but is
tempered by a medium body.

O: One of my favorite versions of the style. Very happy to
find it on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2012 18:28:31 | More by MrBeerExpert

Hjammer

Illinois

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

11.2 fl. oz bottle poured into a pilsner style glass.

A: A very clear brick-red. Head is minimal during the pour, but it does retain quite well after the fact.

S: Traces of berry, vanilla, oak (something sweet and woody?). Lots of lemon, or something else quite tart.

T: Very tart. Reminds me of a tart white wine. Some nice sweetness up in front; strawberry-ish. A little bit of bitterness to round things off. Sour cherries.

M: Smooth. Makes the entire mouth tingle. The sourness disappears to nothing quickly.

O: An interesting beer. My knowledge of sours is minimal, so this was a learning experience. I appreciate the sweetness to counteract the sourness, because this guy is VERY sour. A beer to relax to.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 04:16:08 | More by Hjammer

nachos

Ohio

4.88/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

From bottle, batch no. 2 on the back.

Pretty red color with a nice head that sticks around

Smells sooo good, so very sour, lots of vinegar and red fruits

tastes amazing, like it smells, but double

Mouthfeel is perfect to me for a sour, I'd be tasting it on my teeth the next morning if i didn't brush

This is a fantastic sour to me, probably the best I've ever had, but I've not had the chance to have any RR or that crazy stuff people go nuts on here for, whats it called, candle poon? I don't know. This stuff is amazing to me. I'd drink it every day if I could.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 01:53:11 | More by nachos

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

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

skberke

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a deep amber with creamy dense head. Aroma of citric acid, with strong sour cherry presence. Sour cherry carries into the taste, and is joined by tart blackberry and granny smith apple. Lactic acid comes on strong, with an astringent puckerieness. Leaves my mouth feeling puckered a dry. Refreshing and delicious--a classic Flanders red, sour and assertive without the velvety complexity of oud bruins. Yummy

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2010 01:02:29 | More by skberke

EvanEngelstad

Oregon

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

I had this Flemish Sour in a wine glass at the Bier Stein in Eugene, OR.

-dark, reddish brown, with a dull glow to it
-very little head
-green apple, sour cherry, red wine, and subtle honey aromas
-extremely sour, zings the back sides of your tongue and makes you pucker
-my taste experience went like this: SOUR, then bitter, back to sour, then a sweet apple and slight honey flavor, all lasting about 45 seconds
-a frothy but dry mouthfeel
-a slight ketchup aftertaste (not necessarily a bad thing)

Although I haven't had much experience with this type of beer, the flavor is very potent and a little goes a long way. But it's very good. I would order this beer again if I had the chance.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2011 19:48:52 | More by EvanEngelstad

ShameAndFailure

Texas

4.15/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Maybe my 2nd Flemish red. Just wow. Where have you been all my life?

Appearance: Deep red maybe even some brown. A tad bit of lacing.

Smell: Cherries and oak. Maybe Apples? Says so on the bottle but I probably couldn't pick them out if I had not read it. Very pleasant smell overall.

Taste: As expected, very tart with the sour and acid slapping your taste buds around. Cherries right off the bat then a little of the oak and then a heck of a tart finish. Just what its supposed to be I guess. Just phenomenal.

Overall: I'm new to the sour, Flemish red style but I am enjoying this more than I thought I would. Very high marks and I can't wait to try the Duchess I have.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 23:29:44 | More by ShameAndFailure

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

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

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

AjMiles

Illinois

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

Had this one on the train ride home from work. Poured into a 12oz. clear plastic cup (all i had at the moment).

A-- Dark reddish-brown with a barely existent white head that had very little lacing.

S-- Mostly cherry with hints of sour apple.

T-- Cherry, vanilla, sour apple, light oak. The sour fades very nicely into a creamy vanilla finish.

M-- Lightly carbonated and finishes slowly as it really coats your entire mouth. The tannins from the oak leave you wanting more.

D-- Very impressed with this one. Has all the good qualities of this style and manages to keep them all in perfect harmony.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 22:29:01 | More by AjMiles

dustydolittle

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

Similar to Russian River consecration but slightly less sour. Medium brown to burgundy in. color, slightly carbonated with a head that disappears quickly, medium in body with slight acidity. Overall a well balanced and very refreshing beer. Serve after a few minutes out of the cooler.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 02:35:23 | More by dustydolittle

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

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

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

justJohn

Illinois

4.55/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Very well done example of the style. Tawny red in color with a tightly compacted, meringue-like head which dissipates quickly. Sharp lactic notes upfront with a measured amount of acetic acid and a refreshingly dry finish. Dried dark cherries, lactic acid, balsamic vinegar and wet leather predominate on the nose with a slight chocolatey/toasted malt undertone. Medium-thin mouthfeel. I know it's a bold statement but this rivals both Rodenbach Grand Cru and Panil. If you can find it, try it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2009 08:38:51 | More by justJohn

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

lemongelo

North Carolina

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

My first review:
I am in love with sours. I think they are by far the best example of why beer is way cooler than wine. They illustrate diversity. They define boundaries of beer that are leaps and bounds wider than vino.

A: This beer has a dark ruby hue. It's minimal head suggests a wide range of possibilities. Carbonation works its way up the middle of the glass. It does not cling to the side the way Champagne does. To me, this suggests this beer will not be light. We must look at what we are consuming deductively. Once you put your head in a box, you will never get out.

S: Slightly sharp is what I think. I get a combination of grapefruit, lemon peel and sour cherries. I smell this beer and I know what is coming on the palate. It is without a doubt sour. Give me some charcuterie and goat cheese please. Also as I smell this beer, I instantly think about the food that would go with it. This is where I think sours excel. The possibilities are endless. Chocolate dessert, cheese, because of the acidity certain soups could be phenomenal.

T: Darker than the smell is my initial thought. The taste offers up the conclusion to your initial thoughts on the A and S. This beer has depth and the level of sour is completely balanced. Dark cherries...that you hope are with chocolate that has a creamy undertone. If it does this beer will cut through the cream and pair incredibly.

M: The weight of this beer is perfect. It is exactly what I want out of a sour. When I think of too little mouthfeel I think of Mikkeller...when I think of too much I think of D.O.R.I.S.. This beer delivers and I think they did a fantastic job.

O: A little rough on the finish, but this is a fantastic sour. It is extremely well balanced and does a great job fitting into its style. Sometimes beers try to be what they are not and these guys know what they are good at.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 06:00:43 | More by lemongelo

globe1013

4.93/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I'm fairly new to the sour beers and I have to say I'm a big fan. From my understanding this is a Flanders Red Ale and it definitely looks the part. Once poured it has a small head but releases enough aroma to smell the sour notes.

First taste has a nice sour note but not too much to make your mouth pucker. After that it has a nice body and overall great cherry like flavor. Very smooth and very easy to drink.

If you're a fan of sours and have never tried this one do not pass it up. You won't be disappointed at all. At $6 for an 11.2 oz bottle in my area it's not too expensive but I could definitely could go broke drinking this beer. However if you're not a fan of sours I would steer clear of this one because it has a lot of sour notes to it.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 03:15:21 | More by globe1013