BJCP 2021 / 23B
Flanders Red Ale
A sour, fruity, wine-like red ale where acidity and malt hold hands.
- Any age
- standard strength
- amber color
- top fermented
- western europe
Serve: 50 to 55F, Tulip or goblet
OG1.120
1.048 to 1.057FG1.030
1.002 to 1.012IBU120
10 to 25SRM40
10 to 17ABV14%
4.6 to 6.5%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Red fruit: cherry, plum, raspberry
- Sour and slightly acetic
- Oak, vanilla and caramel
- Vague
- Fruity
- Better
- Cherry, tart and oak
- Best
- Moderate-high cherry and plum aroma with balanced tartness and a hint of balsamic acetic note, oak and vanilla
Appearance
3 pts- Deep red to burgundy
- Clear to bright
- Off-white head
- Vague
- Red
- Better
- Red-brown and bright
- Best
- Deep red to burgundy, brilliant to bright, off-white head with moderate retention
Flavor
20 pts- Red fruit and a tart, wine-like sourness
- Oak tannin and caramel in the background
- Dry, tangy finish
- Vague
- Sour
- Better
- Cherry fruit and balanced acidity
- Best
- Moderate-high tart cherry and plum fruit, balanced lactic and acetic sourness, light oak and caramel, dry tangy finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium body
- Medium to medium-high carbonation
- Light tannin from oak
- Vague
- Tart
- Better
- Medium body, tangy
- Best
- Medium body, tangy, medium carbonation, light oak tannin
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Balance of acidity and fruit
- Layered complexity
Drops it
- Sharp vinegar
- Sweetness
- Harsh tannin
Writing tip
Describe acid types. Example: 'Tart cherry and plum with gentle acetic tang and oak. Balanced and wine-like.'
Pour these
- ClassicRodenbachTart and slightly sweet red fruit
- Grand CruRodenbachDeeper, drier and more complex
- Duchesse de BourgogneBrouwerij VerhaegheSweeter, with cherry and balsamic notes
Often confused with
- 23C Oud BruinOud Bruin is darker and maltier with less acetic tang
- 17B Old AleOld Ale shares the dark fruit and has a clean, sourless finish
Fine here
- Sour/Acidic: Balanced sourness and some acetic tang are the style
- Oxidized: A hint of sherry is fine
Ruinous here
- Sour/Acidic: Sharp vinegar dominance
- Astringent: Harsh tannins from wood
- Solvent: Ethyl acetate nail polish above a trace
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.