Oud Bruin

Oud Bruin, which translates to "Old Brown", is a traditional Belgian beer style hailing from the Flanders region. This beer stands out for its complex interplay of malty richness and acidic sharpness. The style's history can be traced back centuries and is often aged for extended periods, allowing naturally-occurring yeast and bacteria to impart a distinct sour character to the brew. While Oud Bruin shares similarities with another Flemish sour ale, the Flanders Red Ale, it typically has a darker hue and may have less pronounced acidity with more sweet malty characteristics.

Oud Bruins present a deep amber to brown coloration with potential ruby highlights. Their clarity ranges from clear to slightly hazy, and they often produce a moderate off-white to tan head that can be quite persistent due to well-conditioned bottles. Flavor-wise, an Oud Bruin offers an intricate balance between sweet maltiness and gentle lactic sourness. These beers often bear malty notes like toasted bread, caramelized sugar or chocolate balanced by tart cherry or green apple accents from the fermentation process. There could be additional layers like nuttiness or hints of sherry-like oxidation from aging in wood if the brewing process included barrel aging. The finish usually errs on the dry side thanks to the acidity cutting through any initial sweetness. Overall, an Oud Bruin presents itself as less acetic and fruitier than some related styles while providing a satisfyingly complex quaff that pays homage to its long-standing brewing traditions.