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Rodenbach Grand Cru

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Two-thirds old ale aged in oak foeders blended with one-third young beer. The benchmark Flanders Red — tart, complex and deeply satisfying with cherry, plum, oak and a refreshing acidity.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Mild
SRM
dark24
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
tartdark fruitoak
tart
dark fruit
oak
sour
earthy
funky
Aroma
Complex aromatic profile dominated by dark cherry and stone fruit with subtle oak and vinous notes reminiscent of aged wine.
also:berry
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Rodenbach Grand Cru

◎ Appearance

Deep garnet to burgundy red hue with excellent clarity and a fine ruby translucence when held to light. Moderate carbonation produces a delicate, persistent head that gradually settles into a thin collar. The color intensity reflects years of careful oak aging and the perfect balance of old and young beer blending.

deep garnetruby translucentfine headbrilliant clarity

◌ Aroma

Complex aromatic profile dominated by dark cherry and stone fruit with subtle oak and vinous notes reminiscent of aged wine. Mild acetic complexity introduces a refreshing tartness without aggressive sourness, while understated floral and wood notes provide elegance. The nose reveals the craft of its two-thirds aged component, offering both maturity and vibrancy.

dark cherryoak-agedvinousstone fruit

◐ Taste

The palate opens with bright cherry and plum flavors, immediately followed by a pronounced but refined tartness that builds through the mid-palate. A dry, vinous character develops alongside subtle malt sweetness, creating beautiful tension between acidity and body. The 14 IBUs provide minimal bitterness, allowing the complex fermentation character and oak influence to shine through.

tart cherrydry vinouscomplex aciditybalanced

◑ Finish

Clean, crisp finish with excellent length that doesn't overstay its welcome. Lingering acidity and subtle oak vanish into a satisfyingly dry aftertaste that invites another sip.

cleandrylingering acidity
92
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
93
Appearance
86
Finish
91
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Rodenbach Grand Cru

More from Swinkels Family Brewers (Rodenbach)

Rodenbach Classic
Rodenbach Classic
Flanders Red Ale
5.2% · 15 IBU
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Rodenbach Vintage
Rodenbach Vintage
Flanders Red Ale
7% · 15 IBU
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About Flanders Red Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Flanders Red Ale?

Flanders Red Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Flanders Red Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same tart, dark fruit, rich character as Rodenbach Grand Cru will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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