Review Date 5/17/2013
Try?
Re-buy?
Hey folks! Guess what? I just drank a historical beer! At least, Ommegang calls it a historical beer, and they should know, since they made the stuff. I’m talking about Ommegang Zuur Flemish Sour Brown Ale, a sour Flemish Brown Ale brewed with cherries. I suppose I should explain why Ommegang calls this a historical beer: mainly, you see, because they don’t brew it anymore. At least not for now.
Still, I have a bottle left, and you’re going to hear about it. Ommegang Zuur, then, is a beer much like Liefman’s Goudenband, it certainly reminded me of it anyway. That should come as no surprise, though, since Zuur (Dutch for sour) is a joint effort between Ommegang and Liefman’s. According to Ommegang on their website:
Ommegang brewmaster Phil Leinhart went to the Liefmans brewery in Oudenaarde, Belgium, and worked side by side with their master blender to create a distinctive beer unlike any other.
Zuur is aged on whole cherries, and the final beer is blended for consistency. My bottles were crowned cork capped 750 ML jobs, pretty reasonable at $6.99 each. Zuur has an alcohol content of 6% by volume, meaning not only is it very refreshing, but you could refresh with the entire bottle if you like without too much ill effect (at least I can, anyway, your mileage may vary, and never drink and drive).
Ommegang
Zuur Flemish Sour Brown Ale pours to an inky dark brown color with a light, wispy head
formation and an absolutely irresistible nose of tart, sour cherry. Taking
a sip, the brown ale is apparent with a soft chocolate chip cookie
character underneath followed by a hint of almond and then a big dose of
black cherry favor. There is no sweetness here, though, as the beer is
amazingly tart and sour, akin to the tartest black cherry you ever bit
into. That makes it very refreshing indeed, and extremely drinkable.
Reminds me of Goudendband Kriek.
I love this beer, a lot. Bring it back from the historical side and brew it again, won’t you Ommegang. I’ll buy more. You can be Zuur of it.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
