Brouwerij Liefmans Goudenband

Beer: Brouwerij Liemans Goudenband
Brewery Location: Oudenaarde, Belgium
Beer Style: Oud Bruin
ABV: 8.0%


Ever since I had a bottle of The Dissident I've searched out the Flander's Oud Bruin (Old Brown) style. I just loved everything about the first sip that I took, and it is a style that I've been wanting to explore. Goudenband is fairly readily available around town and a great example of the style. This beer can be aged for 10 years according to the cap. I included two pictures of this beer. This will come wrapped in paper when you see it out, but they also label the bottle in the paper as well.

Appearance: This beer pours a cloudy reddish brown color with a very thin head that left no lacing to speak of.
Smell: The first smell I get is a slight vinegar twang, but as that gets out of the way a myriad of complex smells come to life. I am getting oak, vanilla, sour cherries, plums, subtle earthiness, and some caramel. What a nose!
Taste: The taste is as complex as the nose, but adds a few more flavors in as well. Sour cherries start this beer of, but quickly many other flavors including wood, vanilla, tart apple, and apple vinegar all come to life. I am also getting some brett type flavors like leather and horse blanket, but that is fairly subtle.
Mouthfeel: This beer is quite effervescent, and there is no detectable alcohol on the mouth either.
Drinkability: This is a dangerous 8% ABV beer. This would pair well with food.

This was an amazingly complex and very enjoyable beer. The price might keep people away, but I think it still is quite the affordable luxury. If you like Belgian brown ales this should be at the top of your list to pick up and try.

Cheers!
Matt