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FLANDERS RED ALE

Rodenbach Grand Cru

Brouwerij Rodenbach • West Flanders Belgium

Mixed Fermentation Bottle Conditioned● 6% ABV

The benchmark Flanders Red. Blend of 1/3 young and 2/3 beer aged 2 years in oak foeders. Tart, woody, and complex.

PERFECT FOR
✦ The Curious Palate☾ Quiet Reflection🍂 Autumn Evenings
Ask the Monk
FLAVOR PROFILE
Sour CherryOakBalsamicTartVinous

Sour, tart and wine-like, with notes of sour cherry, oak, balsamic, with a balanced, moreish finish.

SERVING

Serve at 6-8°C in a lambic glass to maintain a generous head and let the aromas bloom.

6-8°C

CHARACTER
DryOff-drySweet
LightLightFull
SoftSoftBitter

Style-based profile from ABV, style & tasting notes.

TASTING NOTES
Appearance
Deep mahogany-red, clear, with a tan head
Aroma
Sour Cherry, Oak, Balsamic
Taste
Balanced, medium-bodied, sour cherry, oak, balsamic, tart
Finish
Dry.
BEER DETAILS
Style:
Flanders Red Ale
ABV:
6%
IBU:
10-25
Origin:
West Flanders, Belgium
Glassware:
Lambic Glass
CELLAR5 to 10+ years

Ages for years. Oak-aged and acidic, it deepens and mellows over a decade or more.

PERFECT PAIRING

"The "wine lover's beer"; pairs with shrimp, duck breast, or game meats, where acidity cuts through the richness."

Seafood

Seafood

Mussels, oysters

Stews & Game

Stews & Game

Carbonnade, venison

Poultry

Poultry

Roast chicken, duck

Cook this: paling in 't groen (eel in green herbs), lapin a la kriek, or vol-au-vent (chicken in puff pastry).

AVAILABILITY

Specialty shops & better bottle stores

UntappdBeerAdvocateTotal Wine
PRICE GUIDE
$$$$

Premium

A considered, special pour.

II

Flavor & Aroma

IOn the nose
  • Sour Cherry
IIOn the palate
  • Sour Cherry
  • Oak
  • Balsamic
  • Vinous
IIIThe finish
  • Tart

The benchmark Flanders Red. Blend of 1/3 young and 2/3 beer aged 2 years in oak foeders. Tart, woody, and complex.

III

Story & Heritage

ABOUT THIS BEER

Brewed in Roeselare by Rodenbach, founded in 1821, the definitive Flanders red ale. Eugène Rodenbach brought oak-ageing techniques from England; the Grand Cru is matured in towering oak foeders for up to two years.

On the Flanders Red Ale style, The "Burgundy of Belgium". A sour, fruity red ale aged in oak vats (foeders). Known for complex tartness with notes of sour cherry and plum.

Explore the Flanders Red Ale guide Source: RateBeer
BREWERY

Brouwerij Rodenbach

COUNTRY

Belgium

REGION

West Flanders

STYLE

Flanders Red Ale

IV

Glassware & Ritual

The Lambic Glass
THE LAMBIC GLASS

For wild & sour ales

A slender, tapered glass that shows off the bright effervescence and tart, funky bouquet of spontaneously-fermented lambics, gueuze and fruit ales.

01

Serve well-chilled

Cool tempers the sharp acidity

02

Pour gently

Preserve the champagne-like bead

03

Keep a lacy collar

A thin head carries the funk

04

Sip slowly

Let the sourness unfold on the palate

V

Reviews

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THE MONK'S NOTE

Pour it into a lambic glass, served around 6-8°C, and let its aromatics open before the first sip. Patience rewards this one: a few years in the cellar will round it into something deeper.

Brother Anselm, cellarmaster

ADD TO YOUR JOURNEY

    Belgian Beer Wisdom

    Did you know?

    Many Belgian beers refermenent in the bottle, creating natural carbonation and complex flavors.

    Why it tastes different

    The Monk's Dispatch

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