Rodenbach Vintage 2015

“Beautiful head, with a soft, complex nose to match. Distinct body profile with candi sugar ‘dry sweetness’ that provides hints of stone fruit, strawberries, lime zest.”

**Aroma:** “A pleasant, light aroma that doesn’t overpower in any one area. Yeast aromatics are a touch more saison-like (some nice pepper and spice notes) than classically dubbel. Light spicy hops aroma complements yeast phenolics. As it starts to warm more esters (cherry or peach) start to come out and less spice.” **Flavor:** “A rounded malt foundation of toffee and raisins gives way to an unusual, but pleasantly different suit of fruit (bananas, cherries, plums) and spice (cloves). Some crisp hops bitterness to balance. Finishes dry.” **Overall:** “Spicy with a low malt complexity and a good balance of sweetness. Very drinkable. This could easily fly under the radar in a sea of competitors, but this pleasant little dubbel-esque saison quenches one’s thirst as readily as it quenches the need for something from the abbey. Perhaps this is what the monks drink when they mow the lawn?”

Aroma: “Purple grape juice, vanilla, blackberries, spice, chocolate, and balanced vinegar. Red-wine-like character emerges with raspberries cherry fruit notes. Some dry tartness and a little phenolic.” Flavor: “Sweet and dry at the same time. Sweetness hits up front with red grape and cherry-like qualities. Fruit notes of raspberry and prune. A little lemon adds complexity and a slight tartness. Very interesting transition on the swallow—up front it’s light, with an apple-like fruit character, which changes to a deeper finish with hints of cherry and dark malt. The sourness complements throughout, the finish is dry and lingering with a nice tannic/wood character.” Overall: “A complex Flanders Red–style beer lightened up with grape and red-wine character. Red-fruit notes augment the red-grape notes, but it drinks lighter than the color and nose suggest.”