The Beer

The Rodenbach Grand Cru is the archetypal Flanders red-brown beer. Each of these beers is a unique blend, but they all share a brewing process characteristic of the area surrounding Roeselare and Kortrijk.

The typical sweet and sour taste of a Rodenbach Grand Cru is produced by a two stage fermentation process called mixed fermentation, involving top-fermentation and bacterial fermentation using lactic acid bacteria. The Rodenbach Grand Cru matures in oak foeders, or barrels, over a period of two years, giving the beer a unique, complex fruitiness that is reminiscent of wine.

Rodenbach, the mother beer, is usually one-quarter mature beer to three-quarters young beer. When it comes to Rodenbach Grand Cru, the blend is two-thirds mature beer with one-third of a young brew added.

The 'roodbruin', or red-brown beers, of Flanders can be traced back to the Middle Ages. At that time, hops, the modern preservative ingredient in beer, had yet to reach Belgium but brewers knew that beers containing lactic and ascetic acids kept for longer. This gave rise to the tradition of sour beers, made by cutting a young and newly fermented beer with an older beer that has finished fermenting. The bitterness of hops is barely discernible in this style of beer.

In addition to the Rodenbach Grand Cru and the Rodenbach itself, the Rodenbach range includes two premium degustation beers: the Rodenbach Vintage and the Rodenbach Caractère Rouge. Last but not least, brewery Rodenbach makes the refreshing Rodenbach Rosso with its fruity taste.

Alcohol

6% ABV

Fermentation

A mixed fermentation beer.

Ingredients

Rodenbach Grand Cru is brewed with only natural ingredients: water, dual purpose hop varieties from the Poperinge area of West Flanders, and several varieties of coloured malts made from summer barley.

Colour & Transparency

The Rodenbach Grand Cru owes its red-brown colour to the roast caramel malts. In addition to giving the beer its colour, these malts prevent the beer from oxidising.

Serving Temperature

6-8°C / 42-46°F

Serving Glass

Rodenbach Grand Cru is served in its own elegant tulip-shaped glass, allowing the aromas to develop to the full.

Character, Tastes & Aromas

This two-thirds to one-thirds blend of young Rodenbach with oak-matured Rodenbach produces a complex and fruity beer with a lingering aftertaste. It is the various aromas of the Rodenbach Grand Cru that make it into a remarkable beer.

You will taste red fruits, vanilla, wood, cheese, chocolate and caramel. This beer has a mild taste with a beautiful balance between lactic acids and ascetic acids. Taste-wise, it is quite close to wine, cider and calvados.

Culinary

Rodenbach Grand Cru is an excellent aperitif beer. The slight sour flavour stimulates the appetite and promotes digestion. A Rodenbach Grand Cru accompanied by freshly peeled grey prawns from Ostend, on their own or as part of a prawn croquette or marinated sea food platter, is a classic all along the Belgian coast.

For a cheese pairing, we recommend a hard cheese from Bruges, the 'Bruggekaas', which is matured in Rodenbach, or the creamy, fresh 'Ecume de Wimereux' with its white bloomy crust.

Keeping and Storage

The Rodenbach Grand Cru will keep for 24 months in the bottle and for 12 months on tap. Store the bottles upright in a dark, cool, dry environment.

Availability

Bottle ✔       On Tap ✔

Available in 33cl bottles and in 20l barrels. This Rodenbach Grand Cru is easy to get hold of from specialist beer shops in Belgium and abroad.

Other Brouwerij Rodenbach Beers