New Flemish Sour in LA
Have you been out to your favorite bottle shop in the last week? LA has a new Flemish Sour Red that is finally being distributed out here, and it’s popping up on shelves all over town.
I tried this stuff over the summer in Seattle and I fully credit it with turning me on to sour beers. Can you guess which beer I’m talking about by looking at this horribly back lit photo? (Answer after the jump)
Yes, Rodenbach has finally made it to LA. Also keep an eye out for Rodenbach Grand Cru, which is aged in oak barrels for 18 months. Both available at Red Carpet Wine in Glendale for under 3 bucks.
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Interesting … I can’t remember ever seeing the 250s around Seattle. They would be most welcome as the 750s are often just a little too much to finish.
Comment made by ben on Friday, January 25, 2008 @ 11:06 am
Actually had it on tap at Brouwer’s in Fremont. Yeah, I think those little bottles are the perfect size- they leave you wanting more and not the other way around.
Comment made by Dave on Friday, January 25, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
hi dave, i tried this recently and really like it. wish it waa a tiny bit more sour though. a cross between the rodenbach and la folie would be perfect for my taste buds. i’m glad you’re liking sour beers!
Comment made by susan on Monday, January 28, 2008 @ 11:57 am
Ok I think I’ve now heard enough about this beer to go out and finally buy it. Have you had the Monk’s Cafe Flemish Red.. I know it’s been on tap around So. Cal and Hi-Times was carrying it in bottles… that was a pretty good one… Then there’s Red Poppy… It’d be interesting to try that new one against a classic like Rodenbach.
Comment made by Steve on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 @ 7:06 am
Hi Susan! One of these days I’m going to try La Folie. Definitely near the top of my To Drink list. Maybe you could experiment with blending?
Steve, I think we need to turn Susan on to some Jolly Pumpkins. What’s a good intro? Oro de Calabaza?
Tried Monk’s Cafe once a few months ago. It was good, but I’d pick the Duchesse over MC any day. Have you cracked any of your Red Poppies yet?
Comment made by Dave on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 @ 3:31 pm
Haven’t opened one of the Red Poppy bottles but did get to try it in line during the release. It really rounded out into a full on Flanders Red, as opposed to the Red Poppy we tasted at the barrel tasting about 4 months earlier which was almost New-Glarus-Belgian-Red cherry-ish. Now you get just a hint of sour cherry within it and a nice tartness (not puckering).
As for sour beers and Jolly Pumpkin, I just got into them myself. First one was the Noel de Calabaza, then the La Roja, then the Luciernaga. All pretty good, though they all have like this woodiness to them that’s different than anything else I’ve had. And it doesn’t feel like a regular barrel wood taste to me, more like really old wood or something. I dunno, it’s just different, but I’ve enjoyed each one so far. Haven’t tried Duchesse though. Mainly, the only sour beers I’ve had are the Russian River ones, Jolly Pumpkin, and a couple others, but I love them all. I really want to try La Folie, but had no idea where to get it until I was told the new Lairs’ Club in Alpine will have it as a standard tap. Next time I’m in SD I’ll have to make it out there to have some.
Also, email is on its way so be sure to check..
Comment made by Steve on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 @ 3:50 pm
We’re finally getting the small bottles in Seattle now. Found the Grand Cru at my bottleshop, Bottleworks, last week. Good, good shit…
Comment made by The Beer Retard on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 @ 8:21 am