Top 100 Rated Beers of 2017

#9

96
by James Link
Fruitage
Brouwerij Rodenbach

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Brewer Q & A

Brewery Impressions
by Brouwerij Rodenbach master brewer Rudi Ghequire

BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe?
I came up with the recipe for Fruitage after visiting the U.S. and talking to consumers about wanting an approachable, easy-drinking offering while still being distinctively Rodenbach in balance, flavor and taste.

BC: What sets this beer apart from other examples within the style?
The liquid is a blend of aged and young Rodenbach beer, combined with cherries and elderberries. Thanks to its high acidity, the beer is also very palate-cleansing and thirst-quenching. It’s well-balanced and the fruit adds a layer of flavor that's not over the top, while also having a nice sour finish. Also, the packaging is unique – it’s one of the first Belgian beers offered in a can format, and the first time Rodenbach is available in a can in the U.S.

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
To start, its delicious flavor. The fruit flavors in the beer make it extremely refreshing, but it's also perfectly balanced and distinctively sour, the way all our Rodenbach beers are produced. My favorite part is seeing the looks on consumers' faces when they taste it for the first time. I see a smile on the faces of our long-time fans, as well as consumers who are new to our brand -- even non-beer drinkers!

BC: How popular is this beer among your faithful fans?
We’re very pleased with the success we’ve had with the introduction of this beer this year – consumers really embraced it, as have our distributors, and we ended up selling out of Fruitage this year.

Judge's Second Opinion
by James Link

Brouwerij Rodenbach, originally a family brewery founded in 1836 in Roeselare, Belgium, is world famous for its award-winning sour beers. 

Their beers cover a range of flavors and strengths. One of the newer renditions is its Rodenbach Fruitage, a burgundy-colored beer with a slight haze and a pink-tinged head made as somewhat of a session beer at a gentle ABV of 4.2%. Although light in strength, this beer is robust in flavor and aroma -- showcasing a red fruit blend that contributes to a rich potpourri of aromas, which marries well with lactic and acetic fragrances. 

Cherries and elderberries are dominant in the flavor profile and their sweetness balances nicely with the tartness from the spontaneous fermentation employed by the brewers. The body is thin, and the beer is dry and refreshing.