What makes it special? Among the fabulously rich and exotically flavorful beers of Belgium the brown ales of Flanders are perhaps the most challenging and least understood. Traditionally made from a blend of fresh young ales and oak-aged older ales that are further aged in vessels that allow for an “infection” of native wild yeasts and microflora, these beers have a very tart, almost vinous sour character that make them an acquired taste. The Rodenbach Redbach is an extremely approachable twist on the Flemish brown style that is made from a blend of the famous and recently revived Rodenbach Red Ale with a quarter mixture of fresh cherry juice. The result is a delicious and instantly gratifying fruit beer with a complex sweet and sour character that will go great with barbecued meats or blue cheeses. The Redbach is a hard to find but unforgettable beer for those looking for something a little different this winter.
What’s in the bottle: Beautiful deep red mahogany color. Sweet cherry pulp and spicy honey aromas. A rich fruity entry leads to a sweet, tart full-bodied palate with vibrant sour cherry and citrus marmalade flavors. Finishes with a long, tart, cherry and herbal honey fade. Remarkably pure, fresh and fruity.
Where to buy it: At Sam’s Wines & Spirits for $2.29 for an 11.2-ounce bottle or at Binny’s Beverage Depot stores for $2.79 a bottle. Also at Delilah’s, 2771 N. Lincoln Ave., for $6.50 a bottle.
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