18 replies to this topic

[stellarbrew]

Based on a single bad experience I had with a sour beer years ago, I have deliberately steered clear of funky beers. Poking around at the bottle shop, I decided it was time to have another try, so I picked up 750 ML bottles of Ommegang Biere de Mars, and of Rodenbach Grand Cru. I'm nearly finished with the bottle of Biere de Mars, and holy crap am I impressed! This stuff has amazing complexity, and very interesting flavors. There is a wonderful unique, tart flavor I'm instantly hooked on, that I think is coming from the Brett. Has anyone else tried this beer? Would you consider it representative of what you can generally expect from Brett beers?I'm thinking of popping open the Grand Cru now, to see if I continue to be pleasantly surprised. Any thoughts on this beer?

[weave]

Based on a single bad experience I had with a sour beer years ago, I have deliberately steered clear of funky beers. Poking around at the bottle shop, I decided it was time to have another try, so I picked up 750 ML bottles of Ommegang Biere de Mars, and of Rodenbach Grand Cru. I'm nearly finished with the bottle of Biere de Mars, and holy crap am I impressed! This stuff has amazing complexity, and very interesting flavors. There is a wonderful unique, tart flavor I'm instantly hooked on, that I think is coming from the Brett. Has anyone else tried this beer? Would you consider it representative of what you can generally expect from Brett beers?I'm thinking of popping open the Grand Cru now, to see if I continue to be pleasantly surprised. Any thoughts on this beer?

I did not think i was a fan of Belgian style beers until I toured Ommegang. Changed my opinion completely. Biere de Mars was one of my favorites.If you like Beer de Mars, try Ommegeddon if you can find it. It is Biere de Mars ramped up. Dee-lish !!

[stellarbrew]

I did not think i was a fan of Belgian style beers until I toured Ommegang. Changed my opinion completely. Biere de Mars was one of my favorites.If you like Beer de Mars, try Ommegeddon if you can find it. It is Biere de Mars ramped up. Dee-lish !!

Ommegeddon, got it! On my list as soon as I can try it. Thanks.

[Thirsty]

I was actually let down by its brett presence. It is very slight, and although a fantastic, delicious beer, the brett is to me a subtle hint, not an in-your face like I enjoy from the style. Their Ommegeddon I thought was more pronounced, but I enjoy Flemish Primitive overall for my funky fix. Thought this beer good overall, but not funkytown.

[stellarbrew]

I was actually let down by its brett presence. It is very slight, and although a fantastic, delicious beer, the brett is to me a subtle hint, not an in-your face like I enjoy from the style. Their Ommegeddon I thought was more pronounced, but I enjoy Flemish Primitive overall for my funky fix. Thought this beer good overall, but not funkytown.

Whole new world I've opened up here. If Flemish Primitive gives you that in-your-face presence of a Brett influence, then I have to try it to see if that is what is drawing me in. I think I might like funkytown.

[Sidney Porter]

i dont really think of a biere de garde (de mars, de noel) having a lot of "funk" coming thru. traditionally they are made with a german lager or ale yeast. I hjave not had the beer in question but it doesn't sound that traditional. That being said it is not a style that I drink that often and when I do it seems to be jenlain. I actually think that the de mars would have less yeast character sine it would be brewed in the winters and fermented cooler.I will seek out the beer you had. I would recommend Jenlain for a comparison it is often considered the classic example of the style

[stellarbrew]

i dont really think of a biere de garde (de mars, de noel) having a lot of "funk" coming thru. traditionally they are made with a german lager or ale yeast. I hjave not had the beer in question but it doesn't sound that traditional. That being said it is not a style that I drink that often and when I do it seems to be jenlain. I actually think that the de mars would have less yeast character sine it would be brewed in the winters and fermented cooler.I will seek out the beer you had. I would recommend Jenlain for a comparison it is often considered the classic example of the style

Biere de Mars says on that the label that it is refermented with Brettanomyces Bruxellensis, which the label description says imparts a touch funk. Maybe it's just a touch and not very pronounced. I'll also add the Jenlain to my list, because I'm definitely intrigued.

[stellarbrew]

Wow, the Rodenbach Grand Cru (an oak aged Flemish Sour ale) is great in an entirely different way. Very sour like sucking on a lemon, but amazingly good. I love it. I've been missng out. I guess either my sense of taste has changed, or the sour beer I tried before was defective in some way.

[big harry deehl]

Wow, the Rodenbach Grand Cru (an oak aged Flemish Sour ale) is great in an entirely different way. Very sour like sucking on a lemon, but amazingly good. I love it. I've been missng out. I guess either my sense of taste has changed, or the sour beer I tried before was defective in some way.

The Brett B. the strain in Orval. In fact, B d'M reminds me of Orval.Now, you need to get the current Wyeast seasonal strains. One is the Roeselare Blend (from Rodenbach) and the other is the Trappist Blend (From Orval including the Brett B.) These comercial beers are two of the best beers in the world and the homebrewed versions with these yeasts are OUTSTANDING!

[Stuster]

Wow, the Rodenbach Grand Cru (an oak aged Flemish Sour ale) is great in an entirely different way.

What a great beer this is. And as Big Harry says, the yeasts are available to make this. So get brewing.

[notwoohoo]

Wow, the Rodenbach Grand Cru (an oak aged Flemish Sour ale) is great in an entirely different way. Very sour like sucking on a lemon, but amazingly good. I love it. I've been missng out. I guess either my sense of taste has changed, or the sour beer I tried before was defective in some way.

Where'd you get the Rodenbach? Hop City?

[stellarbrew]

I plan on doing some more sampling of these types of beers, and sounds like Orval needs to be on my list. I will definitely try may hand at brewing one of these, once I have done enough sampling to have a handle on the style.

[stellarbrew]

Where'd you get the Rodenbach? Hop City?

I got the Rodenbach at the Beverage Mart on Cobb Parkway, in Acworth.Where is Hop City?

[notwoohoo]

I got the Rodenbach at the Beverage Mart on Cobb Parkway, in Acworth.Where is Hop City?

It is off of Howell Mill right next to the 5 Seasons Westside that just opened. 1,000 craft beers, wine, and (coming soon I think) some homebrewing supplies. I picked up some stuff there last week. Hop City

[stellarbrew]

It is off of Howell Mill right next to the 5 Seasons Westside that just opened. 1,000 craft beers, wine, and (coming soon I think) some homebrewing supplies. I picked up some stuff there last week. Hop City

Great info, thanks. I need to get over there and check it out. I wasn't even aware that 5 Seasons had opened a location over there, so I need tho check that out as well.

[notwoohoo]

Great info, thanks. I need to get over there and check it out. I wasn't even aware that 5 Seasons had opened a location over there, so I need tho check that out as well.

It had its "soft opening" earlier this week in that I don't think they had beer brewed up yet. The facility is really nice, its the largest brewpub on the east coast

[Pseudolus]

I'd suggest putting New Belgium's "La Folie" on the list of sour/funky beers to try.

[stellarbrew]

I'd suggest putting New Belgium's "La Folie" on the list of sour/funky beers to try.

Thanks for the suggestion. Added to my list.

[notwoohoo]

Thanks for the suggestion. Added to my list.

Especially timely as New Belgium begins distribution in GA on Monday (only Fat Tire and one other initially in bombers only).