Beer of the Weekend #1,101: Flanders Red
Having misread the year on the freshness date, I hope the beer of the weekend has been sitting in a fridge, mine and elsewhere, for the last year: Flanders Red, brewed by the Confluence Brewing Company of Des Moines, Iowa.
Serving type: 12-ounce can. “CANNED ON NOV/02/23” is printed on the bottom. Oops! I saw “NOV” and just assumed it was last month. Nope.
Appearance: Poured into a tulip. The color is very deep red, almost brown. A finger of off-white, buttery head fizzles away pretty quickly and leaves a galaxy of skim and a thin collar.
Smell: Complex. Oak, tartness, syrup, red wine (yikes!), cherry, vanilla. Lots of soaked wood and tartness.
Taste: Tart and oaky. The flavor and mouthfeel are similar to sparkling water. I don’t think it is too old, but I am suspicious and maybe judging because of the freshness date. I don’t have prior experience with the style, either, so I have nothing to compare it to. According to BA, Flanders red ales “are produced under the age-old tradition of long-term cask aging in oak, and the blending of young and old beers,” so maybe the old beer in this version is really old. It is very tart and sharp; it tickles the taste buds with tartness. There are also flavors of cherry, vanilla, and red wine.
Fun facts about Flanders Red:
• Style: Flanders red ale.
• Price: $11.99 for a four-pack of 12-ounce cans at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
• Alcohol content: 6.5 percent ABV.
• Here is the description via the can and BA:
• Along with the ABV, “7.76 G/L TA” is included on the can. It is something I have not seen before. “TA” stands for “tritratable acidity” and is a measurement of sourness measured in grams per liter. The higher the TA g/l, the more sour the beer.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.
Serving type: 12-ounce can. “CANNED ON NOV/02/23” is printed on the bottom. Oops! I saw “NOV” and just assumed it was last month. Nope.
Appearance: Poured into a tulip. The color is very deep red, almost brown. A finger of off-white, buttery head fizzles away pretty quickly and leaves a galaxy of skim and a thin collar.
Smell: Complex. Oak, tartness, syrup, red wine (yikes!), cherry, vanilla. Lots of soaked wood and tartness.
Taste: Tart and oaky. The flavor and mouthfeel are similar to sparkling water. I don’t think it is too old, but I am suspicious and maybe judging because of the freshness date. I don’t have prior experience with the style, either, so I have nothing to compare it to. According to BA, Flanders red ales “are produced under the age-old tradition of long-term cask aging in oak, and the blending of young and old beers,” so maybe the old beer in this version is really old. It is very tart and sharp; it tickles the taste buds with tartness. There are also flavors of cherry, vanilla, and red wine.
Fun facts about Flanders Red:
• Style: Flanders red ale.
• Price: $11.99 for a four-pack of 12-ounce cans at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
• Alcohol content: 6.5 percent ABV.
• Here is the description via the can and BA:
Flanders Red style ales are meant to be balanced beers. Tart from natural souring, yes, but anchored by a sweet grist highlighted by rich caramel malts that give the beers their reddish hue and a surprising drinkability. Our take on this remarkable style was guided by that ethos. Notes of cherry, vanilla and caramel provide a pleasant sweetness that helps to even out the drying notes of oak, the spike of citrus tartness and the wild hay and funk of the mixed culture yeast used to ferment. Pour yourself one and we think you’ll see why this unique and wonderful style has been brewed and enjoyed for 200 years. Cheers to 200 more!
• Along with the ABV, “7.76 G/L TA” is included on the can. It is something I have not seen before. “TA” stands for “tritratable acidity” and is a measurement of sourness measured in grams per liter. The higher the TA g/l, the more sour the beer.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.
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