Kasteel Rouge (9/10)

The Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck of Belgium produces a number of beers under  the Kasteel name.  Kasteel Rouge is a “blend of Kasteel Donker and cherry liquor.  The mix of these two excellent products creates an exceptional soft beer with references to the dark mother beer.”  I’m not entirely sure what the last part of that is meant to say… perhaps that the beer flavor shines through the cherry liquor?

In any event, the beer pours a plum colored dark brown with a cola-like head that dissipates almost immediately.  The beer features a soft drink like carbonation.

The aroma strongly resembles sweet dark cherries with a hint of beer behind them.

The flavor is very similar to the aroma.  It’s something like a dark cherry soft drink with a hint of beer to it.  The finish is very sweet and cherry-filled.  It’s not unlike a soft drink in its level of carbonation, sweetness, and lack of “beer-ness”.  Still, if you like cherries, it’s an extremely smooth and easy to drink beer.

Rate Beer gives Kasteel Rouge a 92 out of 100.  Beer Advocate rates it an 85 or “very good”.  I’m right there with them, giving Kasteel Rouge a 9 out of 10.  It’s a very pleasant and enjoyable beer, one I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys cherries.

This particular bottle was one of two I received as a gift.  I believe that they were purchased from Jungle Jim’s in the Cincinnati area.  I’ve seen it locally at Savor Growl.  I’ve seen other Kasteel products at The Andersons General Store in Dublin.

Flavor Profile:
Sweet, Malty, Dry, Bitter, or Sour: Sweet
Spice Level:  None
Hops Level: Very Low
Dominant Flavors: black cherry
ABV:  8%
IBU:  Unknown, but probably below 15
My Rating: 9/10