The Beer

When, in the 16th century, the proud citizens of Ghent refused to bow their heads to the mighty Emperor Charles V, he decided to punish them for their stubbornness.

He made them parade with a noose around their necks, hence the city’s inhabitants’ nickname, stroppendragers or ‘noose bearers’.

This noose now takes pride of place on the label of The Gentse Strop from the city’s Roman brewery. Its younger brother, Rebelse Strop, is even more rebellious.

This beer owes its tumultuous character to the added Brett yeasts (Brettanomyces), known for their use in the production of lambic beers.

The brewers add this ‘wild yeast’ at the re-fermentation stage to ensure the taste continues to develop and the beer gains in complexity.

The young Rebelse Strop is fruity, with a hint of hop bitterness and a sourish touch. Give it a few months and it will acquire a slightly milder, more rounded taste.

This beer also owes its aroma and taste to the dry hopping, a process whereby the brewer adds hops during fermentation.

Just like the Gentse Strop, this Rebelse Strop is a proud Ghentish beer.

Ghent-based illustrator Musketon worked copper into the label design for this copper-blond beer.

Alcohol

6.9% ABV

Fermentation

Rebelse Strop is a top-fermented beer that re-ferments in the bottle.

Ingredients

Rebelse Strop is brewed with water, a house yeast, wild Brett yeasts, bitter hops, aroma hops including Savinski, and malt.

Colour & Transparency

Rebelse Strop is a dark blond beer, copper in colour, presenting strong pearlisation underneath a robust head of snowy-white froth.

Serving Temperature

6°C / 42°F

Serving Glass

Rebelse Strop is served in the same elegant, branded, tulip-shaped glass with a long stem that is used for the Gentse Strop.

Character, Tastes & Aromas

This beer, when drunk young, is fruity with surprising touches of hop bitters and a slight sourness.

Following several months of re-fermentation and maturation in the bottle it will develop a milder and more rounded taste.

The dry hopping brings out the refreshing aromas and taste of the hops.

Culinary

Rebelse Strop is highly recommended in pairing with cheeses with a high fat content, it is also good with poultry and rabbit.

Keeping and Storage

Rebelse Strop will keep in the bottle for 60 months if stored correctly.

This beer is an exception to the almost general rule that lighter, blonde beers can't be kept that long. Thanks to the added Brettanomyces the beer not only keeps longer but the taste will also evolve in the bottle.

Availability

Bottle ✔       On Tap ✖

Rebelse Strop is only available in 33cl. bottles at the moment.

It's big brother Gentse Strop has long since found its way in and around the city of Ghent making it readily available almost everywhere but as the Roman brewery distribute their beers far beyond Belgium's borders so you should be able to find this one overseas too.

Other Brouwerij Roman Beers