Tart, Complex and Red!

West Flanders Red Ales are produced in the western part of Belgium, near Bruges, and have a distinct lactic tartness, stone fruit flavors, a reddish-brown color and enormous complexity. They are aged for between eight months and three years in large oak fermenters called fouders. These big vertical vessels contain microorganisms, like wild yeast, bacteria and acetobacters (vinegar) imbedded in the oak.

Fouder-Aged Sour Beer

Fouders at Rodenbach in Belgium

Bruz introduced our first fouder-aged sour beer—Oak Marionette with Peaches--two years ago and it was met with much critical acclaim, including a Gold Award at the European Beer Star competition. Now, we have released the same beer--without the fruit—and it is amazing!

Oak Marionette - Naked

This Flanders-style ale is tart, refreshing and quite complex, with distinct fermentation-derived fruit notes of cherry, raspberry and lemon. It has a gentle sourness and a delicate flavor profile that make it very drinkable. Its alcoholic strength is typical at 6.0%. Because this unflavored, unsweetened and unpasteurized version of Oak Marionette is in its clean, natural state, we refer to it as Oak Marionette – Naked.

Oak Marionette is available now at both Bruz taprooms on draft and in 500ml corked bottles (suitable for aging). Because of its slow maturation and conditioning process, it will be awhile before more is available. Get yours now, while it lasts.