Style Information

The Flanders Red Ale is a Belgian-style sour ale similar to the Flanders Brown Ale (or Oud Bruin). The style is highlighted by a strong sour aroma and taste and minimal hop presence. Much like the Flanders Brown Ale, this style also gets a long period of aging of a year or more. Aging for this style is often done in oak barrels, lending a further acid character to the style. Quite often, an aged batch is blended with a younger batch to balance the sour notes. The color should be dark red to brown, with a notable clarity. The aroma has strong fruit smells, like citrus, sour cherries and dark fruits. There should also be notes of vanilla from the oak aging, and sometimes has chocolate and malt notes as well. The sourness of the style should be apparent in the aroma. The taste follows the smell closely, with strong fruit flavors dominating along with the sourness and acidity. The feel should be medium bodied, with the acidity standing out. ABV should range from 4.6% to 6.5%. IBUs should be low, ranging from 10 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.	Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge by Brouwerij Bockor N.V.	51
2.	Rodenbach Grand Cru by Brouwerij Rodenbach N.V.	27
3.	Verhaeghe Echte Kriek / Echte Kriekenbier by Brouwerij Verhaeghe	9
4.	Duchesse De Bourgogne by Brouwerij Verhaeghe	9
5.	Bacchus by Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck N.V.	7
6.	Flanders Red by Portsmouth Brewery	6
7.	Exodus by Central Waters Brewing Company	6
8.	Michael by Hair of the Dog Brewing Company	6
9.	Gilgamesh by Upland Brewing Company	5
10.	Rodenbach 2007 Vintage by Brouwerij Rodenbach N.V.	4

	Beer	Avg Score
1.	NBB Love by New Belgium Brewing Inc.	92
2.	Vin de Cereale by Brouwerij Rodenbach N.V.	88
3.	Rodenbach Grand Cru by Brouwerij Rodenbach N.V.	85
4.	Duchesse De Bourgogne by Brouwerij Verhaeghe	81
5.	Rodenbach Classic (Red) by Brouwerij Rodenbach N.V.	80
6.	Thumbprint Flanders Sour Red Ale by New Glarus Brewing Company	80
7.	Verhaeghe Echte Kriek / Echte Kriekenbier by Brouwerij Verhaeghe	78
8.	Lips Of Faith - Sour Brown Ale by New Belgium Brewing Inc.	78
9.	Grand Cru Rouge by Brewery Ommegang	76
10.	Amber by Brouwerij De Koninck NV	70