Ichtegem's Grand Cru - Brouwerij Strubbe

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reddish with a little white head. Medium plus mouthfeel. Pleasant flemish red aroma. Easy drinking, to the last drop. Nice balance with a little vinegar and well done sweet offset.A moderate cherry. The mildest of oak. Tasty one.Understated carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2008 03:57:38 | More by northyorksammy

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

375ml bottle poured into a Snifter

A – Poured a very nice and hazy ruby tinted medium brown with a decent enough two inch head of off white frothy foam at the top. This settled down gently to a nice thin layer across with adequate side glass lacing throughout.

S – The aroma was rich and full of sour tones. There was a nice earthy grain quality to the background which melded with lots of sour fruit like smells and a nice tight bouquet of light alcohol. Very classic aroma for the style.

T – A wonderful and very full flavor this one was definitely a crowd pleaser. The first wave to hit me was a nice rich bitter sour puckered grape flavor. This was very full with a good amount of bite to it and a really nice freshness. Once it started to warm, some very nice sugary notes began to meld into it and form a very nice dark fruit like flavor that continued on into a very nice long lasting bitter dry finish. There was almost a wine like flavor capping it off, very good.

M – Very smooth and delicate, this light to medium bodied ale displayed more then adequate carbonation and a rich velvet like texture that really helped to showcase and bring forward the delicate flavors that were inside.

D – Very nice sipper. The flavors were very big and intense at first, but as it warmed it really started to mellow some and became a fine sipping sour ale. There was very low ABV so you had no trouble in polishing it off.

Overall this was a fine example of the style and really nice sour ale; I had not had one in a good while so this was a nice treat. Very nice presentation and aroma, and the flavor more then backed it up. I would gladly have another one of these any day.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2007 17:26:37 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

3.03/5  rDev -19%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: The pour is a dark brown color with some red notes when held up to the light. The head is a thin, but sturdy, layer of tan foam.

S: There is a very pleasant acidity to the nose along with some excellent notes of oak. There are also hints of vinegar and cherries.

T: The flavor is overwhelmingly woody, offering tons of oak. The initial onslaught is followed by a mild acidity and a sweet, candy-like finish.

M: The beer is quite dry (despite the sweetness in the flavor), which is probably due to the excessive carbonation.

D: As pleased as I was with the nose, I find the flavor to be a bit disappointing (to say the least). The fact that the beer is so heavily carbonated didn't do much for me either.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2010 03:31:11 | More by womencantsail

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.58/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a dark, garnet-hued body with a thin, short-lived beige head.

Smell: Sharply acetic aroma with a vague, berry-like fruitiness. Hints of antique oak.

Taste: Flavor of sour cherries and red wine vinegar with subtle hints of wood and a pinch of salt. Very light yeastiness. Tart, fruity finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Mild carbonation.

Drinkability: Yes sir, Itchy Gems makes a pretty fine Flanders Sour Ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2007 19:54:18 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a mahogany color with ruby highlights and a very modest head that lays a film down atop the liquid; just a few dots of lace

Smell: A hint of tart cherry but rather non-descript

Taste: Cherry juice, up front, with slightly more sweetness than tartness; a bit of funk after the swallow but, like the aroma, rather non-descript

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: Easy to drink but far from the top of the class for this style

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2010 22:35:08 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

3.73/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep reddish brown color with a small 1/2 inch light brown head that fades to a film. Small amounts of random lace on the glass on the drink down. Smells of red wine vinegar, sour berries, and funk/must. Taste is somewhat sweeter than I was expecting. Grape juice, slight vinegar, unripe berries are the tastes I am getting from this beer. Better than average carbonation but it feels a bit lacking. Overall, a good beer but nothing I would seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2011 06:48:33 | More by UCLABrewN84

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.55/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

As the families of oude bruins and Flanders red ales share a similar geopgraphic region, the separate styles converge in this moderate strength Grand Cru delineated by the Strubbe Brewery.

The turbulent pour reveals a russet brown with garnet highlights. It's partially hazed appearance releases ample carbonation to fuel a fluffed and sprite foam stance. Somewhat champagne-like, the beer's carbonation has a fast turnover until the carbonation dispels deep into the session. Light random lacing gives the beer a little more structure than sour ales are typically given credit.

Sharp vinegary aromas shock the nose with the intensity of young lambic and cherry-infused Flemish ales. Mouth whetting sourness are draped in complementing scents of light toast and chocolate malts. Mild brine, lemons, sour white grapes, limes, and crab apples accompany the acidic balsamic notes for a complete and rounded scent- albeit abrupt for an Old Brown.

And the taste of the beer also heavily favors the vinegar sourness. Intense and puckering- the beer starts off with thin honey and toast but soon transitions sharply to dry toast, bread crust, and nuts before diving swiftly into the more acidic and palate-stripping sourness. Sour cherries, sour grapes, lemons, limes, and green apples propel the sourness toward a dry oak taste that finishes the flavor profile. As quick as the taste intensifies, it fades just as fast.

Sharpness extends from taste to texture as those acidic compounds pierce the taste buds and other soft tissues with pinpoint precision. The terse malt buffer is soon shed and the beer strips the mouth and refreshes it with a clean finish. Sharp astringency lingers in the sides of the tongue and jaws as an echo of cherry and balsamic last in memory.

Though brown in its color, I would better consider this beer to be a Flander's red ale rather than an Oude Bruin- It's much sharper and cherry-like that the must-friendly brown ales.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2013 16:37:57 | More by BEERchitect

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ichtegem's Grand Cru
11.2 fl.oz. bottle; cap dated 18 JAN 2016
The label reads "ingr: water, malt, caramalt, rice, hops, yeast"

Carefully poured to leave the lees behind it's a clear, ruby accented brown color beneath a pillowy head of tan. The head retention is good. It eventually falls to a wide collar that leaves short walls of lace with each sip.

The aroma suggests tart, dark, sugary fruit: cherries, raisins, figs. There's a bit of yeast to it, some malt, and a touch of mineral character as well.

The flavor follows the aroma, and it delivers a pleasant balance between gentle sweetness and light tartness. Along with the tartness and fruit there's some caramel maltiness, but it's not overly done, and it doesn't stick in the mouth. It's actually quite refreshing with the mild sharpness upfront, the light sweetness across the middle, and a bit of grassiness and mineral character in the oaky-dry finish.

In the mouth it's light bodied but with a dextinous edge; and a creamy-smooth fine-bubbled median carbonation - not much is needed as the tartness gives it character.

Overall it's basically flawless, and a pretty good example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 15:30:13 | More by NeroFiddled

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.95/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Ichtegems Grand Cru, Flemish Red Ale, matured in oak barrels, "oud bruin gerijpt in eiken vaten", 6.5% a.b.v., Brouwerij Strubbe, Ichtegem, Belgium.

I know next to nothing about this beer, except maybe that I've heard of it, and that now I'm going to drink one. So, here goes.

Perfectly plummy appearance, opaque, slightly clear at the bottom. Slim beige head rests atop.

Aroma: sour, fruity, & soft. Cherries abound, with a touch of raspberry, blackberry.
Sweetness is here, matched by tart. Caramel tones, vanilla notes, a pleasant complexity.

Taste: sweetness and sour, cherry and plum, caramel malt and oak edges all come together in the mouth, the promise of the nose fulfilled. Fresh and invigorating flavor, though mild and mellow in the whole. Beautifully textured, full bodied, many-layered marriage of sweet and sour.

One thing is for certain is that it's not a tongue slayer, nor a palate ripper, I's not going to punish with puckering. Perhaps "Flemish Red" on the front and "our bruin" on the back is a trifle misleading. If anyone's expecting Rodenbach or Jacobins, they'll be very disappointed. I've met some already who are…but not this guy.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2011 05:14:08 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.1/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a dark brown color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is great. It has a subtle sourness that yields to the oak barrel aroma. It's well rounded with crystal and roasted malts; very nice. The taste is good. It has a subdued sour flavor that really works well with the oak aging. It's mellowed out and thus increases the drinkability. The malt content consists of some pale and roasted malts. It's doesn't appear to be too sweet. On the contrary, it's dry and quite light in the mouthfeel. It's a medium bodied beer with adequate/good carbonation. This is a very enjoyable beer. I love the oak contribution. It tames the sourness to a level that most would enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2008 23:14:37 | More by WesWes

zeff80

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a clear, dark burgundy color with a small, tan head of foam. Okay retention and minimal lacing.

S - It smelled of cherries and unidentifiable berries. There was an overall sour aroma, too.

T - Good sour black cherry flavor with a mild caramel maltiness.

M - It was crisp and sharp without the overwhelming puckering mouthfeel that sometimes comes with the style.

D - This is a good Flanders Red Ale. I've had better but it was certainly worth the selection from the store.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 22:45:04 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

3.95/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is clear dark red in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high off white head that quickly faded away.
S: There is a light to moderate amount of sour aromas in the nose.
T: The taste is somewhat complex and has an interesting balance between sweetness and sourness. There are flavors of cherries and hints of oak.
M: It feels light-bodied and tart on the palate with a light to moderate amount of carbonation.
D: The beer is extremely easy to drink because the taste isn't overly sour. I would definitely try this again.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2011 23:56:44 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.3/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Sampled February 2010
A solid pour into my large Tripel Karmeliet tulip produces an almost three-finger thick, lightly amber tinged, light tan colored head. The beer is a dark, almost burnt, amber color that shows a fairly clear, deep red hue when held up to the light. The aroma smells lightly tart, faintly of balsamic vinegar, has a touch of fermented plum sauce, a solid but subtle cherry like fruitiness, some rhubarb aromas and maybe even a hint of nail polish.

Quite a bit sweeter than I was expecting, though not as sweet as the Duchesse, and there is only a touch of tartness to the flavor. The sweetness definitely begs for more balancing sourness, at least for this particular sour beer lover. This tastes quite a bit like cherries up front, but finishes with a rich maltiness that is laden with rich oxidized malt notes, toasted-brown-sugar crusted whole-grain bread and light sherry or even port like notes. Actually come to think of it, this really tastes like Concord grape juice, which I must say I am not the biggest fan of. There is perhaps a hint of spiciness towards the finish that suggests oak, but there is a certain roundness to the texture that suggests oak-derived tannins. The mix of tart and sweet, combines with the medium'ish body to make this fairly drinkable.

I shouldn't have expected too much for this beer, but somehow I feel a bit disappointed and cheated. This is certainly not horrible, but to my preferences it is not sour or tart enough and it could use a bit more malt richness too, hell even some rustic funkiness would be welcome.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2010 22:51:36 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.98/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark reddish brown color, with a short off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains tart fruit, Belgian yeast, brown sugar and caramelized malts.

T: The taste starts out with a mild burst of tart fruits like cherries & grapes. The sourness is not as intense as some other beers in the style. Then a hearty but not too heavy malt character comes in along with some mild caramel and brown sugar sweetness. There’s Belgian yeast in the background as well a faint but complementary hops presence. The after-taste is slightly sour.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, it’s a solid beer to drink for a while if you’re in the mood for a sour beer that isn’t too sour.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2011 02:55:50 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

2.4/5  rDev -35.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This brew was like a mix of sour cherries and apple cider vinegar. It was really tart and strong. This isn't something I'd ever drink an entire bottle of. I just can't get passed how sour it was. I love the red color that this brew has. Theres not much head at all. The mouthfeel is light and watery. I'm just not into the flavors this one has to offer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2011 03:06:41 | More by Knapp85

Halcyondays

California

3.18/5  rDev -15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

33 cl bottle,

A: Pours a beautiful dark crimson into a flute glass with a colour that thins out to the bottom into more of mahogany. Long lasting off-white head with good lacing.

S: Definite wood character, cheesy funk, sugar syrup.

T: Quite sugary, it has good oak notes and barrel character. Funk is interesting, but too much at times, definitely has a ton of Brett in it. Very low in acidity for the style, more like a Belgian dark.

M: I miss the sourness of a more traditional Flanders Red, sweet finish, quite sugary. Relatively light-bodied.

D: Certainly a different take on the style than the more lactic character in something like Rodenbach. An interesting experience, I think any sour fan should try it out.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2009 06:14:45 | More by Halcyondays

emerge077

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours placidly into a fluted tulip glass, a finger of off-white foam appears when the glass is turned from 45º to 90º. In the candlelight, the bowl of the glass glows a deep ruby. Tiny carbonation is seen rising near the foam. Lacing is delicate and spindly, with a sticky edge where it meets the glass.

Musty hay aroma, very muted and bland at first. At room temperature when swirled vigorously, there was a hint of cherry yogurt.

Buttery taste (diacetyl?) leads into vanilla and light touches of oak. Low level tartness fights with the dry oak tannins, and ends up feeling muddled. Is it actually tart, or more of a bitter feel from the wood? Slight taste of cherry pit and skins as it warms up, but not well defined. With a bigger sip, the oak tannin seems more dominant. Nothing funky or wild about it.

Moderate level of carbonation, but it has a filmy slickness at the end that is distracting. Overall it's a little too dull to pique sustained interest. Worth trying but not a repeat buy. Rodenbach buries this by a landslide, Oud Bruin or not.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2008 02:11:41 | More by emerge077

jwc215

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Freshness date of 03-2013 on top of cap.

Pours hazed reddish brown with a thin tan bubbly head. Spots of lacing stick.

The smell is tart with some acidity, brown sugar, and vinuous notes - Oak is mild.

The taste is sour notes (grapey) with caramelish brown sugar sweetness. Not as sour as some other examples. The oak is mild, but there. It has a soft sweet and sour finish.

It is light-bodied with some effervescence. Very smooth.

A very drinkable example of the style. A malty complexity balances out the tart, though doesn't overwhelm it. Alcohol is very well hidden. It's not as strong as some others, but it has a nice uniqueness and is very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2009 16:25:37 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

To the uninitiated, this can be a pretty funky beer. Having tried many Flanders Reds, however, I can say this is a nice, mellower than usual version of the style. In that sense it allows you to enjoy the flavors of crisp tang, mild oak, and light caramel barley instead of being overwhelmed by the sour funk.

Maybe it's just a sour ale for beginners, but I liked it.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2007 18:08:14 | More by tempest

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark, clear brown with a ruby hue and a thin creme head. Nose is mildly funky, fruity, and sour. Flavor is smooth but almost mild in a way. There's some cherry to it and some wood, but overall it doesn't really go crazy with anything. Feel is smooth on liquid and the carbonation is a bit lower. Overall an easier drinking Flanders.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2008 00:26:00 | More by RblWthACoz

weeare138

Pennsylvania

2.1/5  rDev -43.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Thanks to Phatz for deciding to share this one. I've never seen this one before, so I was anxious to give it a shot...
Appears a reddish brown with a small tan head that slowly fades into a mild cap. Scattered bits of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of turkey gravy, vinegar, oxidized and well past it's prime, notes of butter, rotten weeds, brown sugar, and raw meat.
Taste...I would elaborate but I don't have much to add. It was strange, and past it's prime.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, grossly of rotten cherries and oxidized sugar water.
It was worth a shot. Perhaps a younger bottle would've faired differently.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2007 21:32:56 | More by weeare138

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very dark brown color, almost black with deep mahogany edges when held to a light source. Creamy .5 off-white head that quickly fades into the thinnest of rings leaving very small specks of lacing.

Tart funky aroma with a nice oak vanilla presence from the barrel aging. Also a bit of a vinegar and dark fruit notes.

Lighter end of medium bodied and a bit watered down. I was expecting a fuller mouthfeel. Tart and puckering but much more of a vinegary sourness than expected. Lots of oak and vanilla character with a pleasant dark fruit flavor. Dark cherries, plum and raisin notes with a dry finish.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2009 02:09:31 | More by corby112

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Ruddy brown and red colors comingling in a tulip glass, almost no head. Mild tartness in the aroma, toffee.

Good sour taste, impressed, sometimes flanders come off a little weak in that department, especially when they're relatively cheap and available like this one. Really a good introduction that isn't watered down or so pase its lame. Cherry is the most fruit specific flavor that exists in it. Gritty acidic tannin like qualities to it. Mild woody flavor. Enough sweetness to it to approach balance. Ultimately finishes dry.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 02:51:07 | More by Beerandraiderfan

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Ah yes, another beer that has been retired that is anything but...

Hmmmm.... just now realized that this yet another red flanders beer.

The beer pours a chocolate brown color with hints of red. There is fair head retention and lacing. Yep, jeeze louizze, this definitely smells like a red flanders. I get the typical sweet and sour nose, with a notable ginger ale component. The beer actually smells pretty good. On the palate I'm surprised. This beer is quite delicious, with complex flavors of red wine, vanilla, chocolate and sour funk. The funk blends well with the moderate sweetness and the oak barrel aging has really toned down the sour component IMO. Hence, I'm liking this beer quite a bit. The beer is medium bodied and not the least bit heavy. The beer is remarkably drinkable for a red flanders with the 6.5% well disguised.

A very nice beer. Didn't recognize it on the beer list here at Max's and thought I'd give it a shot. Glad I did.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2008 01:00:25 | More by johnmichaelsen

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.98/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

6.5% On my 33cl bottle label, along with a health warning from the US. So what? I hear you say. Well I drank this bottle only a few miles from the brewery in Ostend.

Really red hue to this beer, as you would expect from an Flanders Red Ale, although the label claimed it was an Old Brown.

The sweet and sour aroma carried on into the taste, the Oak Barrels used to age this beer adds a cherry and almonds hint to everything. Easy to drink and pleasing in every way. This is an interesting beer and well worth finding.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2008 12:17:15 | More by BlackHaddock