Style Information

Flanders Brown Ale, or Oud Bruin (translates to "old brown" in Flemish), originates from the Flemish region in Belgium. The Flemish name refers to the long aging this beer gets, often up to a year. This is followed up with several months of bottle aging. This process, along with the yeast strains used, gives the style its distinctive sour taste. The aging process can be done in oak barrels, but is not necessary for the style. The color should be dark copper to red-brown. The aroma is a complex combination of sharp fruit esters, with dark fruits and sour cherry evident. The acidity of the sour tones also stands out. Hop aroma should be nonexistent. The taste is a contrast of sweet and sour, with acidity, sour cherry, sweet fruits and caramel. As with the aroma, the taste should show virtually no hop bitterness. Malt tastes often balance the sourness somewhat. But the tartness of the style is the focus. The feel should be medium bodied, and the sourness should stick around for a little while. ABV is generally 4.8% to 5.2%. IBUs should be minimal at 15 to 25.

Glassware	Description
Flute Glass	Traditionally used for champagne, the flute glass has a place in your beer glassware collection. The long, narrow bowl helps to ensure that carbonation doesn't dissipate quickly. L... [more]
Snifter	Typically used for serving brandy and cognac, a snifter is ideal for capturing the volatiles of aromatic beers, such as Belgian ales, India Pale Ales, barleywines and wheat wines. The shape helps... [more]
Stange	A Stange is the preferred glass shape for the serving of Kölsch. Altbier is traditionally served in a Becher, which although slightly shorter and fatter than a Stange is similar in shape. Both u... [more]
Wine Glass	Wine glasses come in many shapes that are styled specifically to certain varietals of wine. The shape of the glass is very important, as it concentrates flavors and aroma. Wine glasses can be div... [more]

	Beer	Consumed
1.	La Folie Wood Aged Beer by New Belgium Brewing Inc.	57
2.	Red Poppy Ale by The Lost Abbey / Port Brewing Company	37
3.	Madame Rose by Goose Island	21
4.	Oude Tart by The Bruery	18
5.	Thumbprint Oud Bruin by New Glarus Brewing Company	10
6.	Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Ale by Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.	9
7.	The Meddler by Odell Brewing Company	9
8.	Bellegems Bruin by Brouwerij Bockor N.V.	7
9.	Zuur by Brewery Ommegang	7
10.	Aardmonnik - Earthmonk by De Struise Brouwers	6

	Beer	Avg Score
1.	Le Serpent Cerise by Snake River Brewing Company & Brewpub	90
2.	Oerbier Special Reserva 2004 (Bottled 2005) by Brouwerij De Dolle Brouwers	88
3.	Goudenband by Brouwerij Liefmans	88
4.	La Folie Wood Aged Beer by New Belgium Brewing Inc.	87
5.	Red Poppy Ale by The Lost Abbey / Port Brewing Company	84
6.	Oerbier Special Reserva 2007 (Bottled 2008) by Brouwerij De Dolle Brouwers	84
7.	Staveyard Framboise by Off Color Brewing	82
8.	Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Ale by Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.	80
9.	Unplugged Sour Brown Ale by New Glarus Brewing Company	78
10.	Madame Rose by Goose Island	74