Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune / Bruin - Brouwerij Timmermans-John Martin N.V.

Blindpigbiz

California

4.55/5  rDev +41.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

AGED FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR

Smell: toast and blackberry jam with butter and balsamic vinegar

Taste: blackberries with hints if balsamic with a coca cola finish...RIDICULOUS!!!!

The reviews are low from others, probably due to them not aging this beer. Age it! If I had this beer without the age, I'd probably be with the 2.9 score crowd. Once aged, however, you have to PAIR this with French toast and vanilla bean ice cream or baby back ribs and a lot of garlic mashed potatoes and bread sticks

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 10:33:29 | More by Blindpigbiz

elNopalero

Texas

4.53/5  rDev +40.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured this for a special occasion. Well, pouring this made it a special occasion.

Enjoyed it August, 2012 but the cork was stamped with 2.010—I’m guessing this has at least 2 years on it, maybe longer?

This pours a ruddy brown-amber color, similar to muddy water, thin coffee, or a burnt copper. Billowy foam topping surprised me with its retention—even after 30 minutes there was still some crema left.

I’m not sure how best to describe the aroma. It’s woody, with elements akin to orange marmalade coming across, but that doesn’t do it justice. Add in some hints of butterscotch candy, toffee, and put it on the sweeter side of life.

The flavor is …wonderful. I was expecting something tart, sour, but this is smooth and sweet with a velvety mouthfeel. There’s a light bitter-tartness that washes out while lingering. I taste orange marmalade, toffee, caramel, and a hint of butterscotch.

I’m glad to have shared this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 19:51:33 | More by elNopalero

xylophonica

Australia

4.1/5  rDev +27.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 33cl bottle into a chalice.

A - Minimal head which quickly subsides. Thick, dark brown colour.

S - Mild caramel malts, with a hint of oak and grass.

T - Sugary sweet but also spicy due to the high carbonation. Strong caramel and sweet port combined.

M - Immediately spicy and sugary on the tongue. Strong carbonation. Soothing aftertaste as well.

D - Quite sugary but also very nice to drink.

This is my first example of this style and it strikes me as somewhere between a French Biere De Garde and a Belgian bruin. Strange drink, probably not as beer-like as others but enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2010 09:35:58 | More by xylophonica

chinchill

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +24.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

clear brown ale with a generous and lasting white head.

Aroma - yeasty and bit like a lambic; not strong.

Excellent and unique flavor but the most remarkable thing about this beer is the mouthfeel. While the body is not thin, the brew quickly takes on a light airy quality I have only experienced in one other brew (wish I could remember which one). Unlike many reviewers, I actually like that this oud bruin is not sour.

O - ignore the ratings and comments, leave your expectations behind, and give this special beer a try.

P.S. reading up, I see that this is a unique beer produced by mixing a lambic with a "high fermentation brown ale" ("infusion of Lambic") which is then aged for 6 months in oak barrels

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2011 00:39:18 | More by chinchill

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bourgogne Des Flandres

Pours a rich brown color, nice sized head and some lace sticking. Aroma of sour cherries and vinegar. In the taste, malty, slightly sweet, with a veritable underground of sourness. Brown sugar like sweetness, mildly tart, and somewhat malty. Mouthfeel is smooth and velvety. Overall, a nice flanders brown ale and a solid session change of pace brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2011 05:13:48 | More by Stinkypuss

janubio

Spain

3.78/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle, no cork, just an usual cap. Dark brwon colour, with beatiful reddish hints to the light. Good beige creamy head with lace. Aroma is very acidic, with fruits (cherry specially), wood, caramel and brettanomyces. It feels good on the tongue, although a bit light. Taste is acidic, fruity, sherry wine and brattanomyces are there.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 18:43:44 | More by janubio

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

pours clear mahogany to transparent brown, fizzling white head, soda-like bubbles. smells like grainy belgian malt, medium roast, with dried cherries, raisins, and toffee. flavor is less fruity than the nose, more malty than anything, with a definite alcohol flavor, which is odd in a beer with such a low abv. its earthy and a little sweet. muthfeel has a sort of winey vibe to it, not acidic at all, but the same sort of groove and texture, add carbonation. overall not my favorite beer, certainly not my favorite belgian, but a servicable belgian brown. was expecting a bit more sour to it, but really there is very little of that happening here.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 21:04:51 | More by StonedTrippin

metter98

New York

3.63/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear dark reddish brown in color and poured with a finger high dense off white head that quickly died down but never completely faded away. A very light amount of carbonation is visible from the rising bubbles.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of sour dark fruits and sweetness in the nose along with some hints of oak from the barrel aging.
T: There is an interesting balance between sweet and sour flavors; the initial taste has a mild amount of sweetness, which transitions to a mild amount of sourness in the finish. Flavors of brown sugar, cherries and vinegar stand out in particular. The sweetness is slightly stronger than the sourness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and quite thin and watery on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
D: The beer is rather easy to drink and goes down smoothly. I would consider it to be sessionable if it had a little more sourness to balance out the sweet flavors.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2011 19:58:16 | More by metter98

CrazyDavros

Australia

3.63/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours brown with ruby tints and a small, quickly fading head.
Nose shows sweet forest fruits, faint funk and a soft, acidic character.
Some of the fruit transfers through as a flavour, hinting at blackberries. Also some sweet malt and a faintly spicy finish.
Body seems a bit watery.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 23:48:12 | More by CrazyDavros

RuudJH

Netherlands

3.6/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tasting some brews from this brewery, this is a far better beer than their blonde, as a beer in general. It's got more taste and the mouthfeel is pretty ok.
Dark brown colour, decent head, good lacing.
Smells of dark fruits, roasted seeds. Actually very pleasant.
Taste similar. Some tartness from berries and cherries, and roasted malts sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 12:15:31 | More by RuudJH

JMad

Texas

3.58/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I drank this from a tulip...

The beer was cola colored with a bubbly tan head. It smells like sour cherry cola with just a hint of sweet malt and oak. The taste is a little more complex with sweet cola, black cherry, molasses and a tart finish. The beer is lighter than it looks with lots of carbonation and a dry finish. I thought this was a good and interesting beer, proof that you can't trust all overall ratings on here.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2011 00:41:25 | More by JMad

meatyard

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, deep ruby with a frothy, 2-finger, light tan head that falls quickly to a cover.

The smell is mild vinegar, musty and very light cherry aromas.

The taste is a mild tartness, cherry and more of the mustiness. The vinegar is gone but it is still a bit bland.

Mouthfeel is medium to light with moderate to low carbonation.

Overall: This is not a bad beer but not what I would hope for in this style. There are enough other, better and available beers in this style that are more satisfying. I wouldn't buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 19:19:27 | More by meatyard

StJamesGate

New York

3.53/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark oxblood with a creamy tan head that rims and sheets. Winey nose with wood chips and cocoa nibs.
Dark malt loaf, light vinegary notes, some red berry and a light apple end.
Light, fizzy, crisp, slight cling.

OK, I get where this is pretty insubstantial: no oak, little sour, not much depth. At the same time, it is pleasant with a light tang and some warm malts. At 5%, it's never going to be Goudenband.

A session brune, if that's what you're after.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 19:19:18 | More by StJamesGate

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at the Gingerman in Houston, 1/2 pint goblet. It was dark brown and looked translucent until held to a light, when light peaks through with clarity if low final transmission rate. Wet looking tan foam that laces all over the glass.

Not a bad nose, some sour cherries and whatnot, maybe a little too much vinegar but I get that in a lot of Oud Bruins. On tasting this is really sweet, not sour as promised from aroma. Some sweet malts are noticeable too, long malty notes and fruity esters in the aftertaste. A little reminiscent of Koeninghoeven quad from the malt and yeast (obviously this adds sour cherries to that beer).

I liked it, not bad at all, but I'm going back to my cask Elissa after this.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2011 00:32:10 | More by TurdFurgison

Domingo

Colorado

3.45/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This is kind of like the little brother of the Duchesse de Bourgogne.
Pours a cherrywood color with a lot of foam. Lots of lacing from it, as well.
Unlike the Duchesse (and other Flanders browns), the nose and flavor profile match. Sweet dark malts that blend into a semi-sour balsamic note in the finish. While initially seeming somewhat complex, it's actually pretty simple. It actually even has some cola and faro/sugar characteristics that remind me more of the Dutch versions of an old brown. I'd say that it might even be a hybrid of the two styles.
A little simplified, but easily approachable and drinkable. Not too strong so it's easily sessionable if you want.
Nothing spectacular, but certainly something I'd get again when I have a sweet tooth or need something mild. Plus, because of the fairly low octane, it's a nice item at Belgian restaurants when you're driving, too.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2011 16:42:39 | More by Domingo

TexIndy

Texas

3.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 33cl bottle into a snifter. Date on neck of 6/28/10 which I'm guessing is the bottled date since this just came onto the market. Was a dark reddish brown color with lots of carb streams. It had a good sized head that settled into a thick collar and foam cap. Good sheeting with plenty sticking.

The aroma was oak, vinegar, dark fruit and cherries. Not bad but had a watery aspect to it. The taste was inline with the aroma but led but the vinegar then the oak and fruit. Reminiscent of a Goudenband but watered down. Mouthfeel was light and watery with crisp carbonation. Vinegary sour after taste.

Overall, an average Oud Bruin. It was hurt by the watery aspects in it. Avail here in TX. Not many Oud Bruins available here so would get the rare bottle if all I can find. [R;O]

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2010 01:07:08 | More by TexIndy

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

3.41/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Pours deep reddish brown with an off-white head. No lace.

Tart cherry and caramel and some toasted malt in the nose. Oddly mild.

Mild tart cherry mingled with some caramel and toasted malt. Finishes mildly tart, mildly bitter with a butter note as the palate clears.

Decent medium body with good carbonation.

Out of balance and not enough bitter, tart, or transitional complexity. Just ok.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 21:59:02 | More by OtherShoe2

claytong

Vermont

3.4/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

appearance - beautiful. looks almost black without light. put up to the sun you can see the darkest of ruby reds. one inch head with solid lacing that looks like spain right now.

smell - metal, musty malts, cherry coke

taste - cherry coke (enjoyable since i dont have soft drinks ever), sugar, slight malt and slight metal to finish it off

mouthfeel - crisp, carbonated well, good body for style and abv

overall - is this the bmc of flanders oud bruin? not sure, but enjoying the cherry coke. would pick this up again if it was a buck a piece. great intro for people not into beers, especially if they like sodas.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 22:53:01 | More by claytong

TheNapkin

Texas

3.38/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Not bad for the style, but certainly not anything to write home about. While the malts are nicely balanced with the tartness (lots of prune and grape right up front with sour cherry and sweet malty backbone) the flavor overall is a little thin. That's really the only major complaint--the sweetness and maltiness seem so balanced because there's really no dominant flavor in the beer. Similar to a slightly watery Petrus Oud Bruin, but with dissipated complexity. Nevertheless, it's always nice to be drinking a barrel-aged Belgian.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2011 00:22:02 | More by TheNapkin

SilentSabre

North Dakota

3.35/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours up a lovely reddish bronze colour with about an inch thick off-white head that fades quickly to just a frosty haze. However, it still laces the edges of my goblet quite nicely, and the slightest agitation revitalises the head.
Smell is vinous and sour with those damp basement and horse blanket nuances which are so associated with these types of brews.
Taste, too, is a bit vinous, but only very mildly sour. The flavour here is much sweeter than I was anticipating. While this is certainly 'good', regarding taste, I feel it lacks depth and complexity which can be readily found in other examples of this style.
Mouthfeel is pleasant, however, I believe this could have a bit more discernible carbonation. Not a bad example of the style, but there certainly *are* better choices out there.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 01:55:57 | More by SilentSabre

cooch69

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a beutiful glowing ruby brown with only a tiny loose head.

It's nose features a cedary wood character, some vinegar and sweet ripe cherries.

Taste is subdued on the sour side, but makes up for it in fruitiness and also a nice bit of earthy and woodiness. There is a slight bit of vinegariness and a sweet finish. Pretty unique from similar ones I've had.

Good velvety mouthfeel and medium bodied.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 02:10:11 | More by cooch69

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.35/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a deep brown hue, slightly hazed and relatively opaque, with flashed of ruby at the deep parts when held to the light. Head is fine but insubstantial, forming a slick film across the top of the glass, and leaving some patchy, slightly scummy lacing. Body is fine but slick, and the carbonation is tiny and intricate. Looks good.

Nose is slightly tart and dark, with some pleasantly sweet roasted characters bouncing of the acidity—it gives it the sumptuous feel of chocolate dipped cherries. Hints of oak come through as well, although these are veiled by the light tartness. Slight peppery characters come through as well. Overall, it's a really nice and clear Oud Bruin.

Taste is certainly flatter, and to be honest, a little disappointing after the tantalising hints on the nose. Acidity is really pared back, leaving just a twinkle of funk through the centre of the palate, and a subtle twist to the sweeter, fruitier notes. Feel is very light, and there's almost no residual on the back, meaning that the sweetness tends to be the last thing you remember. It's not a great finish.

Feel is quite thin—it would really be aided by a touch of acidity on the finish to crispen and revitalise the palate.

Overall, I'm a little disappointed. I was ready for a really good Oud Bruin after the nose, and it pretty much fell flat on its face.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 08:09:32 | More by lacqueredmouse

Jparker37

Wisconsin

3.35/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into an oversized tulip. 10/26/10

A - Medium sized caramel head with small bubbles. Holds a small cap of foam. The beer itself is dark brown with brilliant ruby hues when held to light. The clarity seems to be nice and clear. Left a little bit of lacing throughout.

S - The smell deviates from big fruity raspberry tartness. I get a smooth bit of chocolate malt. Has a little bit of sourness deep within. Some red fruit tartness shows up with increased temperature but is not pouring out.

T - The taste starts with a delicate bit of chocolate and rich caramel malt, absolutely present yet so craftily delicate. It has a brilliant layer of sourness but again very nuance and never sharp-like. I get that tanginess on the sides of my tongue.

M - The body is light to moderate. Carbonation seems to be low to moderate. Semi-sweet.

O - Very nice appearance, the ruby color is mouthwatering. Smell has good complexity, no brett smells, no big fruitiness. In the taste it has a helping of malt that is rare to find, sourness is pleasant to hide but lacking a flavor complexity. Carbonation seemed a little on the low side for the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 01:34:32 | More by Jparker37

bmwats

Louisiana

3.34/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Poured from a 33 cl bottle into a teku.

A: Medium dark brown. Pours a 1 finger, foamy, brownish head. Settles quickly leaving a foam ring and a smattering of bubbles. Beer ring lacing.

S: Roasted grains, maple syrup, and tea leaves. Some plum and raisin in there, too.

T: Light malt and plenty of plum, smoothed with maple syrup.

M: Thick and syrupy feel. Sweetness throughout. Lightly bitter finish.

D: Sip and enjoy.

Atmosphere is pretty solid. Decent head, fair lacing. Nose has some slightly roasted grain, but mostly overpowered by some candied sweetness and fruit. Mostly fruits and syrup in the flavor. Overall, this is a pretty good quaff.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 05:35:03 | More by bmwats

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

3.3/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I got this beer from kiltedtxn and aggieboudreux, Thanks Guys!

330ml bottle served in a De Koninck Belgian beer glass.

L - dark brown with a thin beige head that left a thin layer of foam floating around leaving bits of lacing behind.

S - dark fruit and vinegar

T - their website says it best.
"Similar to the Flemish brown beers, but without the acidity, with an aftertaste that draws attention to its distinguished character."...
distinguished, yeah that's the ticket.

F - light/medium bodied with a fizzy feel.

D - it was ok as a novelty but I wouldn't drink this regularly.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2010 22:16:15 | More by JoeyBeerBelly