Rodenbach Brewery brewmaster Rudi Ghequire was in Los Angeles to promote the re-release of Alexander. No, he didn’t reanimate Alexander the Great. This is a beautiful ruby-hued version of Grand Cru with sour cherries that the legendary Roeselare brewery last released in 2000. I was lucky enough to join Ghequire at Library Alehouse to try that standout 5.7% ABV beer. I could have easily sat with the brewer and his 750ml bottle for the entire afternoon, considering how smoothly the beer sipped, and how flavorful the beer tasted. Alexander is known for its sweet tart cherry flavor, and a slight almond nuttiness from the pits. Ghequire also had the foresight to strip the stems before brewing the sour cherries, which would have left an acrid note.

When I shared my interview with Ghequire on Facebook, Dig Lounge founder Matt Mitchell commented, “I just had a Stupid Silly Sour today from Brasserie de Silly. Made my lips pucker, but loved it.” Belgian beers like that, or Duchesse de Bourgogne, can be brilliantly tart in ways that I appreciate. Still, I prefer more sessionable sour beers 9 times out of 10, and when it comes to that style, Alexander is world class.