I love Flemish Red Ales. Whether it has tartness or puckering sourness, I've yet to drink one that I haven't liked. Small wonder that Rodenbach is high up in my list. We sipped Duchesse de Bourgogne last night in snifters from a bottle dated 'Best By' November 2016.
The first thing of note is the color: a dark, ruby red hue not unlike root beer accompanied by a light caramel colored head. The nose reminded me of a nice fruit vinegar with perhaps a few hints of oak from the barrel aging. Although described as a sour, the taste is actually more sweet and fruity tartness (cherries and plums) with a soft, slightly champagne-like fizziness. The first thought that occurred was that this is a wine turned vinegar and then somehow made into a beer (now that would be interesting!). Although not a big beer, it was definitely a sipper.
It paired quite nicely with the home-made chocolate ice cream (with a raspberry coulis and Chambord mixed in). Taste is a personal matter of course, but this beer definitely deserves its high ratings. It's definitely a special occasion beer or it has to be paired with the right food, such as perhaps Flemish cannonades, pork or duck - where the tartness of the beer would cut right through the rich fatty flavors of the meat.
The first thing of note is the color: a dark, ruby red hue not unlike root beer accompanied by a light caramel colored head. The nose reminded me of a nice fruit vinegar with perhaps a few hints of oak from the barrel aging. Although described as a sour, the taste is actually more sweet and fruity tartness (cherries and plums) with a soft, slightly champagne-like fizziness. The first thought that occurred was that this is a wine turned vinegar and then somehow made into a beer (now that would be interesting!). Although not a big beer, it was definitely a sipper.
It paired quite nicely with the home-made chocolate ice cream (with a raspberry coulis and Chambord mixed in). Taste is a personal matter of course, but this beer definitely deserves its high ratings. It's definitely a special occasion beer or it has to be paired with the right food, such as perhaps Flemish cannonades, pork or duck - where the tartness of the beer would cut right through the rich fatty flavors of the meat.