Beer Spolight!

Spotlight on the Rodenbach Caractère Rouge

$23.99 for the 750ml bottle
Oak-aged Flanders Red Ale (Sour) with Cherries, Cranberries, and Raspberries

Belgium’s Brouwerij Rodenbach is one of the most recognized breweries in the history of modern Flemish beer. Founded by four Rodenbach brothers in 1821, it was grandson Eugene who really kicked things into gear. After some formal study in brewing, he optimized their use of foeders (large oak casks that are now protected Flemish historical objects) and created the red sour ale that is Rodenbach’s claim to fame. Eugene’s ale starts with kiln darkened malts brewed with Brettanomyces yeast. The ale then undergoes a secondary fermentation in foeders that are infected with lactobacillus bacteria. The resultant brew is then blended with younger versions of itself to nail down the sourness level and flavor. Fortunately, the Rodenbach world doesn’t stop there. There are special versions of Rodenbach, like the Caractère Rouge. Here, we’ll let Rodenbach tell you about it …

“Rodenbach Caractère Rouge was developed in 2011 in collaboration with top chef Viki Geunes (2 Michelin stars). This exclusive beer is created by adding an extra six months’ fermenting maceration with cherries, raspberries and cranberries to beer that has already undergone two years’ maturation in oak casks. The result is an exceptional Rodenbach with a 7% alcohol by volume.

“Rodenbach Caractère Rouge is vinous with a very complex, fruity nose of raspberry and cherry combined with notes of wood and caramel. The undertone consists of an aroma of violets, leather and a hint of tobacco. The taste is rather sour but exceptionally pure. With its long, clean aftertaste and its unique combination of delicacy and strength, Rodenbach Caractère Rouge is reminiscent of a crisp Burgundy wine.”

Now, we don’t know about “an aroma of violets, leather and a hint of tobacco,” but the taste being “rather sour but exceptionally pure” is right on the money. Having taken in, it seems, every tart fruit that ends in “erry,” Rodenbach has made a brew with a sourness that persists but does not overwhelm. It’s beautifully, berry, berry sour. Take a trip to the land where “sour” is a good thing.