Monk's Café Flemish Sour Ale - Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.

AlexJ

North Carolina

4.18/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Ruby chestnut pour with a frothy beige head of large bubbles that falls to a soapy ring.

Aroma is over-ripe apples, tart cherry, must, diluted vinegar, with light toasty vanilla and oak.

Flavor is a near perfect blend of sweet and sour notes; musty orchard fruit, sweet balsalmic vinegar, tart cherries, and a nice winey oak spice note. As it warms a steely minerality comes into play. Not overy complex but very tastey.

Body shy of medium with loose carbonation, a slippery mouthfeel and superb drinkability. A definate session sour.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2008 13:31:24 | More by AlexJ

rvajohn

Virginia

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-21-2013 01:06:44 | More by rvajohn

Arithmeticus

Maryland

3.25/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured chilled in flared sample glass @davewhite4, the third of a sour beer trilogy.

A: thin head, but very active carbonation; cola color; snowglobe effect from all the yeast floating about
S: not much aroma; opens up into some vinegar
T: very flavorful; sour cherry dominates; good malt presence

Good specimen of a sour beer

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 22:29:00 | More by Arithmeticus

drgonzo2k2

California

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-19-2013 16:54:07 | More by drgonzo2k2

VinnyA

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

05-19-2013 05:14:21 | More by VinnyA

Steamer

Missouri

3.78/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: A rich ruby red; light tan head with large bubbles, sparkling effervescence. Smell: A dry champagne aroma. Taste: Very mild sour and tart flavor, almost too light, refreshing though. Mouthfeel: Again champagne like; heavy carbonation. Overall: On the mild side of sour ales. Would be an excellent choice for someone just getting into sours or anyone looking for a light tart ale on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 00:14:28 | More by Steamer

Shads42

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-18-2013 18:39:30 | More by Shads42

chefduff2

New York

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-18-2013 05:57:32 | More by chefduff2

Hoppy_McMalt

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-18-2013 03:24:55 | More by Hoppy_McMalt

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-17-2013 05:14:30 | More by Slatetank

cliftonsbiehl

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-17-2013 03:07:30 | More by cliftonsbiehl

mtalley999

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-17-2013 01:25:43 | More by mtalley999

TastyIsBeer

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-16-2013 02:15:43 | More by TastyIsBeer

lucasj82

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-15-2013 02:28:45 | More by lucasj82

NorCalMaekJuMan

California

3.83/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

At first I was a little intimidated by the word sour in the title but I really liked it. I found it went well with roasted pork loin cooked in apples and onions (like pork chops Normandy). I liked the coppery head. I can't really describe the smell but I liked it. I find it very similar to any of the Russian River sour beer types (ie...consecration, temptation)..although I think I prefer the stuff from Russian River.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 02:55:27 | More by NorCalMaekJuMan

aLenwell

Florida

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-14-2013 00:27:07 | More by aLenwell

djwhit24

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

05-14-2013 00:17:31 | More by djwhit24

amcaleh

Indiana

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-12-2013 16:25:48 | More by amcaleh

twenty5

Pennsylvania

1/5  rDev -74%

05-10-2013 16:19:01 | More by twenty5

Xzfgiimtsath

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -15.6%

05-10-2013 13:06:59 | More by Xzfgiimtsath

beernads

Florida

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-08-2013 08:15:07 | More by beernads

MADPolo

Florida

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-07-2013 17:13:00 | More by MADPolo

Honus1

Ohio

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-07-2013 02:16:01 | More by Honus1

TGS

California

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%

05-06-2013 03:04:33 | More by TGS

TimHitchings

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-05-2013 22:33:21 | More by TimHitchings