Monk's Café Flemish Sour 4Pk Cans

Monk's Café Flemish Sour 4Pk Cans is a Belgian Oud Bruin-style sour ale at 5.5% ABV, sold in a four-pack of cans. Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge—one of Belgium's oldest family-owned breweries—this expression blends young and oak-aged ales into a remarkably balanced sweet-tart profile, earning an 87 rating on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  Origin: East Flanders, Belgium  |  Style: Oud Bruin (Flemish Sour Ale)  |  Brewery: Brouwerij Van Steenberge

Production & Heritage

Brouwerij Van Steenberge, located in Ertvelde in Belgium's East Flanders region, has roots stretching back to the late 1700s, making it one of the country's most enduring family-run operations. The Flemish Sour is produced by blending younger beer with ale that has undergone extended aging in oak barrels, a traditional technique central to Flanders' sour ale heritage. This particular brew is produced only once a year, and the brewery's tradition of making this style reportedly spans over 300 years—placing it among the oldest continuously brewed sour ales in Belgium.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with pronounced sour cherry and lactic tartness, followed by layers of caramel, brown sugar, and a faint marshmallow sweetness. A grainy, malty backbone sits underneath, adding depth to an otherwise bright and fruit-forward bouquet.

Taste: The first sip delivers a burst of tart cherry and green apple, quickly balanced by a balsamic-like fruitiness and malt sweetness. Mid-palate, nutty and toasted grain notes emerge alongside hints of brown sugar, creating a complexity that keeps the beer from tipping too far into one-dimensional sourness. The carbonation is moderate, lifting the sweet and tart elements evenly across the tongue.

Finish: Medium in length with a lingering lactic tang and subtle oak character. Traces of lemon zest and dried fruit fade gradually, leaving the palate clean and refreshed.

How to Drink Monk's Café Flemish Sour

Pour into a tulip glass or goblet at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to fully appreciate the layered aromatics and balanced acidity. This is a beer built for slow, contemplative drinking on its own, though it also shines in beer-based mixed drinks. A Berliner Weisse-style preparation with a small splash of raspberry syrup amplifies the cherry notes without overwhelming the base. A Flanders Shandy—equal parts Flemish Sour and sparkling lemonade—makes a refreshing warm-weather drink that highlights the ale's tartness. It also works beautifully in a Beer Mimosa, substituting champagne with this sour for a brunch cocktail with real depth.

Best For

• Introducing a craft beer enthusiast to traditional Flemish sour ales
• Pairing with a charcuterie or cheese board at a dinner party
• A sessionable sour option for outdoor gatherings at 5.5% ABV
• Gifting to someone who appreciates old-world Belgian brewing traditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Monk's Café Flemish Sour taste like? It delivers a well-balanced interplay of sour cherry, balsamic fruitiness, and caramel malt sweetness, with moderate carbonation and a tart, clean finish. The oak aging contributes subtle woody and nutty undertones that separate it from sharper, less complex sour ales.

How does Monk's Café Flemish Sour compare to Rodenbach? Both are classic Flemish sour ales blending young and oak-aged beer, and direct comparisons are common among enthusiasts. Rodenbach tends to lean slightly more vinous and assertively tart, while Monk's Café Flemish Sour offers a touch more malt sweetness and caramel character, making it a slightly more approachable entry point into the style.

Is Monk's Café Flemish Sour good for beginners? Its balance of sweet and tart makes it one of the more accessible Flemish sour ales, though drinkers unfamiliar with sour beer styles should expect a pronounced tartness that differs significantly from standard ales or lagers.

Where is Monk's Café Flemish Sour made? It is brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge in Ertvelde, located in the East Flanders province of Belgium. The brewery is one of Belgium's oldest family-owned operations and has a long history of producing traditional Flemish ales.

What foods pair well with Monk's Café Flemish Sour? Aged Gouda or Gruyère cheese complement the caramel malt and tartness. Roasted duck or pork with fruit-based glazes echo the cherry and balsamic notes. Carbonnade flamande (Flemish beef stew) is a classic regional pairing. Dark chocolate with dried cherries mirrors the beer's fruit character. Sharp vinaigrette-dressed salads match the ale's acidity without clashing.

What sizes does Monk's Café Flemish Sour come in? This product is sold as a four-pack of cans, and is also commonly available in 750ml bottles depending on the market.

Is Monk's Café Flemish Sour worth the price? It positions as a mid-range craft import, which is competitive for an authentic oak-aged Flemish sour brewed only once a year by a heritage Belgian brewery. For drinkers curious about the Oud Bruin style, it represents strong value relative to more limited-release Belgian sours.

Why Monk's Café Flemish Sour?

What sets this ale apart is the combination of genuine old-world process and accessible format. The blending of young and oak-aged beers is a labor-intensive tradition that many modern sour producers shortcut with kettle-souring, but Brouwerij Van Steenberge maintains the authentic method. Brewed only once annually, each batch reflects a deliberate, unhurried approach to fermentation and maturation. With an 87 on BeerAdvocate and a flavor profile that bridges the gap between sharp lambic-style sours and sweeter dark ales, this Flemish Sour earns its reputation as one of the most reliable introductions to Belgium's centuries-old sour ale tradition—and a beer that rewards experienced palates on repeat visits.