(Lochristi, BELGIUM) – De Proef Brouwerij and Terrapin Beer Co.‘s Belgian-style creation, Monstre Rouge, will hit shelves in the U.S. this August.

This is the fourth in a series of annual releases in which De Proef Brewmaster, Dirk Naudts, invites a different American brewer to brew in Belgium. Past participants include Tomme Arthur (Port Brewing/The Lost Abbey), Jason Perkins (Allagash Brewing) and John Mallett (Bell’s Brewery). (Mallett’s) Van Twee hit shelves this year (still available in some markets) and the other two beers have been brewed again and are also available in some markets.

Some may have been wondering when I leaked that the style was going to be an Imperial Flanders Red, what the heck that meant. Well, here is what the label says:

“Pushing the envelope and creating new beer styles is what Terrapin Beer Company is all about. When our Brewmaster, Brian ‘Spike’ Buckowski, found out that he would get the opportunity to help create the next ‘Brewmaster’s Collaboration’ with Dirk Naudts from De Proef Brouwerij, all gloves and brewing were off!

To stay true to Terrapin Tradition, Spike and Dirk have outdone themselves by creating an Imperial Flanders Red Ale called ‘Monstre Rouge.’ Brewed at the De Proef Brouwerij in Lochristi Belgium, these two creative masterminds of malts and hops have come up with an offbeat style that combines new age American and old world Belgian brewing techniques.

Monstre Rouge is loosely based off Terrapin’s ‘Big Hoppy Monster’ recipe with a little of Spike’s favorite ingredient (Rye Malt) thrown in for good measure. Fermented with one of Dirk’s coveted yeast strains (Brettanomyces) and aged on toasted American oak, this beer is tart, sour, sweet, hoppy and woody all wrapped up in a beautiful red color. Brewed with a copious amount of crystal malts ranging in color from 20-75 lovibond as well as Munich and Rye, the Monstre Rouge is not your ordinary Flanders Red. American hops impart hints of citrus and pine complement the complex malt and yeast flavors.”

As far as timing and logistics goes, “We produced 130HL (approx 110 bbls),” says Alan Shapiro of SBS Imports. “That will include a mix of both 30L Keykegs and cases of 6/750ml bottles. The beer is scheduled for release to Beverage Bistro as the July selection and will be released to distributors the following month.”

Check SBS Imports’ Twitter feed for updates and watch for a press release within the next week. Also of note, Terrapin’s Twitter feed says that the brewery recently released Capt’n Krunkles and Monk’s Revenge.