Omer Vander Ghinste Brewery's Cuvee des Jacobins Rouge is an unblended sour ale that pours a deep dark red with a medium tan head and a moderate 5.5% ABV. Though technically not a lambic (it is not produced in the Senne River region of Belgium), the brew nevertheless depends on local, wild airborne yeasts for spontaneous fermentation – no cultivated yeasts are ever added – and then matures for at least 18 months in French oak barrels.
Sharp aromas of cherry, vinegar, cranberry, oak and caramel give way to an equally complex flavor profile that further includes sour apple tartness, red currant sweetness, and hints of vanilla and toffee. A creamy mouthfeel leads to a clean, dry finish.
Food Pairings
A perfect accompaniment to shellfish, shrimp or pork tenderloin.
Pair with a fresh, young soft goat cheese; this slightly sour brew enhances its creaminess.
This and other sour ales are lovely paired with zesty salads or peppery style cheeses like Monterey or Pepper Jack and pungent style cheeses like Gorgonzola and Limburger. Serve at 43 - 47 degrees F.
Sharp aromas of cherry, vinegar, cranberry, oak and caramel give way to an equally complex flavor profile that further includes sour apple tartness, red currant sweetness, and hints of vanilla and toffee. A creamy mouthfeel leads to a clean, dry finish.
Food Pairings
A perfect accompaniment to shellfish, shrimp or pork tenderloin.
Pair with a fresh, young soft goat cheese; this slightly sour brew enhances its creaminess.
This and other sour ales are lovely paired with zesty salads or peppery style cheeses like Monterey or Pepper Jack and pungent style cheeses like Gorgonzola and Limburger. Serve at 43 - 47 degrees F.
The Omer Vander Ghinste Brewery, named for its founder, began commercial brewing operations in 1892, and has been continuously in family hands since then. Still located in Bellegem, a village in the Flanders region of Belgium near the French border, the brewery released its very first ale to high acclaim and its fortunes have flourished ever since.
Helmed by five generations of the Vander Ghinste family – of whom all first-born sons are by tradition named Omer – Bockor depended upon a combination of brewers' craft, innovation, marketing savvy and tenacity to grow into an international brand, yet still it maintains close ties to the village in which it was born, striking a balance between modernity and tradition.
