Rodenbach Vintage 2016 and Caractère Rouge (Belgium) - Beer Reviews

I recently had the opportunity to try these two fine, award-winning beers from Belgium.

The brewery was established by the Rodenbach family in 1821 in the West Flemish town of Roeselare, Belgium. Rodenbach beer owes it unique quality and masterful character to the oak casks in which it matures. Rodenbach is the archetypical Flemish red-brown ale from West Flanders. It is recognised as a regional product and is (probably) the most award-winning beer in the world.

It is interesting to note that the Vintage Ale is a 5-time GOLD World Beer Award winner that is hand-selected from the year's best foeder (i.e. large oak barrel) by brewmaster Rudi Ghequire who selected it exclusively for Ontario beer drinkers.

Both of these delicious beers are widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

Tasting Notes:

RODENBACH VINTAGE 2016 - Belgium (#402578) (750 mL) - $12.75
Unblended fine ale aged for two years in hand-made standing oak casks (foeders). Brownish colour with tinges of orange. Malty, tangy citrus, sour red berry, and spice aromas. It is full-bodied on the palate with tangy, tart and sour red cherry, red berry and malty flavours along with some oak spice notes. Balanced sweet and sour flavours linger on the finish.

RODENBACH CARACTÈRE ROUGE - Belgium (#551622) (750 mL) - $8.70This beer starts as Rodenbach's Vintage Ale and is macerated with cranberries, raspberries, and sour cherries for six months. In the glass, this offers fragrant aromas of red berries and nutmeg spice. The palate is medium bodied with more red berry notes such as cranberry, cherry and raspberry flavours. There's also some flavours of tangy citrus, spice, and hints of caramel. Slightly creamy and well-balanced with a long, clean finish. A fruity and complex beer for summer or fall drinking.