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

HabiMendes

Rhode Island

4.49/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer looks as one would expect from the Flemish Brown Ales - dark brown, with reddish tones. The neck is slightly tanned. The aroma emanates Granny Smith apples, with a very characteristic acidic note. The medium body, well-carbonated and extremely refreshing, also showcases the acidity, but not exaggeratedly. The aftertaste is long, leaving a pleasant tartness in your mouth. Very good Flemish Brown.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 16:36:55 | More by HabiMendes

BWED

Pennsylvania

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

I was lucky enough to move to the Philly area, and stopped into Monk's the other day. I had this on draft before my mussels came out.

A- Translucent mahogany, with an emphasis on some red highlights. Light light brown head, one finger thick, retains okay with some spattering of lacing.

S- Sweet, fruity. Tart cherry hits the nose quite strong.

T- Sweet strong cherry, with an acidic tart finish.

M- Smooth, yet with an acidic bite, fairly light body, and a puckering finish.

O- This is a fantastic choice for someone entering the realm of beer, as well as showing someone the diversity in beer. Lip smacking sweetness with a good tart balance. I like it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2013 19:26:21 | More by BWED

Stevedore

Wisconsin

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

(Note: my personal scoring system is in whole numbers only)

11.2 oz bottle poured into Golden Draak tulip and consumed today 2/20/2013

Aroma: A very nice tart cherry nose with hints of grape and raspberry, and a little bit of malt sweetness. Not particularly complex but is still rather pleasing. (4)

Colour: Really nice ruby-red body when illuminated. Pours with an expansive, aggressive offwhite head that requires a few minutes to settle down before I can complete the pour. Otherwise laces are quite sticky. (4)

Flavour: I get a lot of sour cherry and grape which is what I expected, I actually like it. Not a ton of malt sweetness but it's there. A little bit of plum and raisin comes up if I look for it. Generally a straight-forward combination of flavor. (4)

Mouthfeel: Nothing special, a medium bodied ale with overly strong carbonation and pleasant tart cherry aftertaste. It's nicely dry and really does a palate-cleansing job. If it wasn't as overcarbonated, I'd give it a 4. (3)

Overall: Quite enjoyable to drink but I'm not sure I'd rush out to get more. As I drink more sours, I'll probably revisit this one. As it stands, it's one of the better priced Belgians on the shelf in the US and I will drink accordingly. (4)

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 00:41:00 | More by Stevedore

ajcormier

New Hampshire

3.03/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75

Poured from bottle into small tasting tulip.
A - Looks great, reddish brown with creamy colored lacing.

S - Smelled good but lacking in a real sharp tart note I was hoping for. Plums, raisins, cherry and lightly toasted biscuits. Slight musk.

T - Disappointing a suppose. As with the smell I was really hoping for something a bit more puckering. Tasting was similar to the smell but sweeter than I was anticipating.

M - Good bubbles and slightly coating. Dry finish but residual sugars were there.

O - Eh, had way better. Good but not worth buying again.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 01:19:27 | More by ajcormier

SHODriver

California

4.16/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a deep brown with ruby edges and a huge slow to fade off white head into a New Belgium globe
S: smells of sour cherries, a bit of wood, some must and a slight roast malt
T: pleasantly tart with some sour cherry flavor followed by some slight oakiness but the cherry remains throughout, a bit of vanilla as well, hint of chocolate at times too. swallow brings more sour cherry and a bit of must
M: medium with pleasant and slightly prickly carbonation. refreshing finish
O: this beer is tasty and well executed. price isn't bad either and it's fairly accessible out here. If you like the oud bruin style you should give this one a go

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 01:40:14 | More by SHODriver

XxNitExX

Nebraska

3.71/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into Tulip

A- Pours a deep ruby colored brown with a very lively tan head. Loads of bubbles!

S- Smells of rich malt with a dark sweetness. Also has a sour component that finishes and stings the nose.

T- Sweet sugar goodness! Starts with an immediate sweet sugary taste, but melds into a fruit (cherry grape maybe) that finishes with a malty backbone to remind you this is a beer. Get a little sour funk, more acidic than funky.

M- I don't know why but this just feels good in my mouth. Its like an effervescent feeling but not in a bad way.

Overall if you do not mind a sweeter sour, this is a great beer. A very good entry into the world of sours, but no where near the complexity you can find in some of the better sours.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 23:15:44 | More by XxNitExX

pschul4

Illinois

3.61/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Poured into my HotD taster courtesy of the man, the legend, Libbey

A- pours a red/brown. Ruby tones, if you nomsayin. Also carbonation explosion. Only can get 1oz in this 3oz taster

S- very sweet malts and a touch of acidic bite on the back end

T- mostly sweet, sour bite in the middle before being sweet again on the end.

M- not as prickly as i would have thought, surprisingly smooth for the style

O- good, not great. Probably wouldnt buy again

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 20:26:47 | More by pschul4

tdm168

North Carolina

3.53/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A - dark amber with a reddish hue; huge, soft, dense, foamy, offwhite almost brownish head that has great retention

S - a bit musty, faint fruit, some grainy sweetness

T - berries, mildly lactic, some caramel, mild bitterness in the finish

M - medium bodied, sticky, smooth, crisp

I'm not sure how I feel about this beer. It's not really bad, but it's not really great either. It has a decent enough flavor though the fruity notes are mild and there is very little if any sourness. The nose is a bit off putting with it's graininess. Overall, not a bad beer, but I've had better in this style. It was nice to try once, but I won't be seeking it out again.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 00:27:28 | More by tdm168

MaximalC

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours the color of molasses with attractive plum highlights. Khaki head is respectable at first but soon disappears into a frothy veil that only partially hides the surface of the brew. Aroma is mild and vinegary, with some fruity sweetness to boot.

The flavor is incredibly mild and subtle for a sour ale, but I don't mean that in a negative way per se; it just takes some patience and close inspection to tease out what you're actually tasting. A prune-like malt sweetness melds seamlessly with a robust dose of Belgian yeast and a dash of cherry and apple cider vinegar. A touch of wheat shows up in the finish once all else has dissipated. The mouthfeel is the real star here as far as I'm concerned, with a crisp, velvety texture that holds one's attention in a way that the flavor alone would fail to do.

This is a delicate and drinkable sour ale that would make a great gateway for anyone new to the style. The sourness is hardly puckering, and the overall experience is more reminiscent of a mild, dark Belgian ale than a full-faced sour. Hardly spectacular, but still quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 02:49:19 | More by MaximalC

ckollias

Maryland

4.21/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Enjoyed this bottle out of a Beligian tulip glass.

A: Pours a dark amber hue with a huge white head that leaves a good trail down the side of the glass.

S: Sour dark fruit aroma.

T: Sour and slightly sweet dark fruit flavor and decent malt background. Finishes on the sour side of sweet.

M: Thin body and medium carbonation.

O: Really good sour brew. A nice sipping beer – but nothing I could drink more than one of.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 01:28:26 | More by ckollias

mclynch

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Big creamy head that won't quit - but pour carefully towards the end lest chunks of blackish yuck end up in your glass, rising & falling like a lava lamp on the bubbles! Foam left on the glass was marred by this black gunk (yeast, trub, whatever?).
Smell was fruity, sweet & sour, & somewhat funky.
Taste was tart but not overly so, sour cherry, cheerfully carbonated, a nice food accompaniment and easy drinking beer.
Mouthfeel a little thin but enough going on with the taste and bubbles that it wasn't a factor.
Overall - will definitely buy this again. At about $10 for a 4 pack (in MA), it's a reasonable price for a blended sour ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 13:43:53 | More by mclynch

pmcadamis

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

A - Deep garnet with a giant rocky four finger head and tons of chunky yeast in the glass. Big sheets of lace slide down the glass into that enormous beige head. Head retention is awesome.

S - Sour cherry candy, tart fruit preserves, and red wine vinegar. Nicely balanced sugary-jammy-preserves notes temper the vinegar acidic aroma. Smells a little bit like tart kool-aid mix powder without the sugar.

T - More sour cherry on top of a light brown sugar note. Strawberries. Tart sour candy. Rhubarb.

M - Light bodied with a very acidic tart puckery mouthfeel. FInishes relatively clean and slightly metallic and almost bloody (I know that sounds weird, but there is a bit of that metallic blood note at the end).

A very odd style to be sure, but I like it for it's off-kilter aspect. I think I would have a hard time drinking this with any regularity.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 19:28:04 | More by pmcadamis

CurtFromHershey

Pennsylvania

3.89/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - pours a dark Ruby with a thick khaki head which fades down to a thin and stubborn layer of head.
S - yuck. Hose water, old apples.
T - pleasant surprise, does not follow nose. Slightly tart, granny Smith, fig.
M - move along, nothing to see here. Nothing objectionable.
O - not a bad little brew. Smells foul but tastes refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 00:37:18 | More by CurtFromHershey

secondtooth

Indiana

4.29/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Deep reddish-amber in color, with a substantial head. Beautiful lacing going on here.

Nose - I get fruit, sour berries (particularly tart cherry) a hint of toffee, and maybe some yeastiness. It's a musty vibe, but quite appealing and unique.

Taste proved similar, with a delicious and refreshingly light-bodied feel. Tart berries and cherry dominated, with some sweetness and earthy elements rounding out the palate.

Delicious, unique, and a tasty brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 19:56:20 | More by secondtooth

CloudStrife

New York

3.94/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

11.2oz bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a clear dark ruby brown with a 2 finger off white head. Quick to dissipate it leaves no real lacing. Some pretty big chunks floating in the body.

S: Fairly lackluster aroma, light funk/sour notes. Some fermented malt aroma that gives a dark fruitiness.

T: More of a malt-forward oud bruin. Does have some sour that kicks in mid sip but more of a pronounced dark fruit and roasty malt taste. Sweetness on the lips. Good mellow tartness throughout.

M: Light body with a good crisp finish. Very drinkable brew.

Overall a good baseline for the Oud Bruin category. Doesn't overwhelm but is true to the style and still very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 23:28:49 | More by CloudStrife

LambicPentameter

Kansas

3.6/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - deep ruby-red hue when lit, but burgundy, almost black appearance upon glance. Semi-opaque. Frothy head is beige and dissipates after 30-60 seconds.

Smell - dominant cherry aroma with hints of currant. Hint of sour, but rounding out into a sweetness.

Taste - strawberry and cherry tartness, but the sour complexity never arrives. Dry finish and a bit bland.

Mouthfeel - light effervescent carbonation. Silky thin coating.

Overall - a drinkable beer due to how mild it is, but also doesn't strike me as a beer I would just drink to drink. Not complex enough of a flavor or aroma to keep me coming back.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 02:51:51 | More by LambicPentameter

yamar68

Minnesota

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours like a glass of cold frothy black tea - hazy burgundy brown with a creamy finger of stubborn off-white head. Loads and loads of beading right beneath that and a good amount of lacing above.

Balsamic vinegar with red wine grapes and sour cherry on the nose... it's relatively mellow but appropriately tart with a bit of citric acidity. I like where this is headed.

It's got a nice tart fruit character right on the front end with some sweet but earthy oak notes... musty red wine flavors... it finishes oddly empty though, maybe a bit of something floral, it doesn't even really dry up at the end.

This beer is spot on right up until the end. I reckon I'll age a few and see what happens.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 06:33:37 | More by yamar68

MRsojourner

Massachusetts

3.03/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

smell is somewhat musty- old fruit and slightly rubbery
dark red with ruby shining highlights- not see thru
Taste is of cherry coke, barely beer tasting. vey clean stone fruits and grapes. super clean with little aftertaste. almost no taste of hops.
imo way to clean to be called a sour. not sure where that notion even comes from. This is not bad by any means its just lackluster.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 20:48:44 | More by MRsojourner

DavidST

Texas

3.28/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 33cl bottle into a pint glass, coded bottle date. This pours a crystal clear amber color with a massive fizzy tan head which last for a very long time a leave a duvel like foam. The smell is a little brown ale malty, a little nutty, hints of cherries. The feel is medium to light. The taste is okay, you get a little bitterness, nutty brown ale flavors and a little sourness, but mostly plain and light, this beer has the unfornutate task of following Liefmans Curvee and it leaves a ton to be desired.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 06:07:19 | More by DavidST

kylehay2004

Florida

3.55/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Half finger head with excellent lacing on a deep amber body which is very clear. Aroma of dark cherry, not too sweet, with caramel. Simple but many of these tend to be. Flavor is also dark cherry dominant which initially seemed too sweet but this one mellows out. The flavor tastes a little too artificial though, almost like kool aid. Light but oily body and light to moderate carbonation. Not an amazing sour ale. Not terrible just not all that memorable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2012 03:28:32 | More by kylehay2004

Beer-A-Lot

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beautiful color and head. But while a decent tasting beer, it's not as bold or vibrant as other sours I've tasted. Easy drinking, but really too light in my opinion. This is not a bad beer, just a bit too plain. I could drink it again, but if the sour flavors were bolder, this would be a really nice beer that you could enjoy when you're in the mood for this style. Misses by just a touch.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 03:06:11 | More by Beer-A-Lot

troysoy2

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass, and served just above fridge temps.

An awesome, fluffy white head floats effortlessly over a slightly-rouge-tinged brown body. Lots of carbonation apparent. Excellent retention.

The smell is a bit straightforward, but pleasant. Laid back lactic acid over a crisp, yet soft citrus-infused brown malt profile. A touch of caramel.

The taste is much like the nose. Definitely a more subtle sourness than you may find in some sour ales, but this is nice in a way. It allows you to appreciate the malt profile a bit more, which seems appropriate for the style. Very refreshing, tart finish accentuated by plenty of carbonation and a pretty light mouthfeel.

Not out of this world great, but this could make a great "everyday sour", if there is such a thing.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 02:27:15 | More by troysoy2

gcamparone

Rhode Island

3.65/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Purchased in Wakefield, Rhode Island:

A- Pours a deep amber clear body with a generous, fluffy, thick cream-colored head that slowly reduces to some uneven chunks of puffy foam. Impressive

S- Sour apple notes, acidic. Malt backbone with some faint hoppiness in the background.

T- Starts off with a subtle caramel note, ends slightly acidic but not overbearingly. Somewhat simple.

M- Somewhat watery, medium-low carbonation.

Overall a refreshing brew that I enjoyed reviewing. It's slightly one-dimensional and could use more character. Worth a try nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 16:18:38 | More by gcamparone

dfillius

Michigan

4.6/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a wine glass
A: Gentle pour yields 1.5 fingers of tan fizzy loose head with fair retention. Deep crimson crystal clear liquid. Head is nearly non-existent after 2 minutes, better retention please. Very effervescent.
S: Cherry, tart lemon juice, slight funk. Slight penicillin, oak. Apple cider.
T: Tart apple at first, caramel a little later. Balanced sweet and sour. Some clean malt, some lemon juice and tart cherries. Not as complex as the aroma. The effervescence dominates and scrubs the flavor. I swirled to reduce the vigor of the bubbles, much better.
M: Very dry up front, lightly sour with good sweetness following, like tart cherry juice. A little too effervescent. Expectorant.
O: Very high. I'd love to have another bottle/pint/4-pack. Really nice, solid, mellow, full-flavored sour.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 02:40:45 | More by dfillius

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

4.63/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz tap poured into a pint glass

Appearance- A rutstic red with 1 finger of white head that levels off to a thin surface layer.

Smell- Strong tart smell. No specific fruit that I pick up, just a sour tart.

Taste- Taste is just like a sour fruit punch. Very yummy if this kind of beer doesnt bother you.

Mouthfeel- Nicely carbonated with a very crisp and refreshing mouthfeel.

Overall- This would make for a spectacular summer beer in my opinion. Light and very easy drinking. A beer with a sour fruit punch taste.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2012 02:20:51 | More by BrownAleMale