Duchesse De Bourgogne
Brouwerij Verhaeghe

Duchesse De BourgogneDuchesse De Bourgogne
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From:
Brouwerij Verhaeghe
 
Belgium
Style:
Flanders Red Ale
Ranked #21
ABV:
6.2%
Score:
93
Ranked #3,935
Avg:
4.16 | pDev: 13.94%
Reviews:
1,664
Ratings:
4,677
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sunday at 08:19 AM
Added:
Oct 15, 2001
Wants:
  297
Gots:
  1,068
Belgian top-fermented reddish-brown ale, a blend of 8 and 18 months old beers following the careful maturation in oak casks.
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Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by drperm:
Photo of drperm
Reviewed by drperm from Virginia

4.36/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
Don’t try this at a beer festival in the midst of sweet stouts, hoppy IPAs, or complex Abbeys. You won’t like it and you’ll give it a bad grade, simply because it’s so different from everything else. Sort of like drinking a strong Cabernet-Zinfandel blend with palak paneer and chicken jal frazie -- you’ll end up thinking that the wine is bad. Rather, this beer, a remarkable example of Flemish Red Ale, should be experienced on its own, or better yet, with dinner.

It is matured in oak casks, giving it a rich depth. It has a sourness reminiscent of Gueuze or unfruited Lambic, but has much more to offer than the Gueuze that I’ve tasted. There is a mild fruity (applish) acidity to the finish giving it a wine-like quality: not for nothing is it called the “Burgundy of Beers.” It is this acidity coupled with the pleasant sourness and wine-like dryness that makes it go so well with a variety of foods, from artisan cheese to seafood (I expect – I’m dying to try it with mussels and frites) to venison (I had it with a savory meat pie loaded with cardamom and other spices), and I’m sure there are other wonderful pairings lurking out there to be found.

Definitely a keeper. It’s also not nearly as high in alcohol (about 6.2% ABV) as other Belgians, so it won’t knock you out for the rest of the evening.
Dec 17, 2007
More User Ratings:
 
 
Rated: 4.1 by Supper1

Mar 15, 2024
 
Rated: 2.19 by mushycake from Connecticut

Jan 31, 2024
Photo of Scotchboy
Reviewed by Scotchboy from Idaho

3.53/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottled in 2019, pours out an effervescent dull reddish-brown with ample off-khaki head. More sweet than most Flanders Reds I've had...certainly there is some vinegar-y tartness and impressions of lemon, but the caramel and dark sugary malt sweetness leads. Interesting.
Jan 30, 2024
 
Rated: 3.99 by RahFoodie from Canada (ON)

Jan 22, 2024
 
Rated: 4.18 by SViterileroux74 from Texas

Dec 30, 2023
 
Rated: 4.75 by Ox8840bo from Illinois

Dec 28, 2023
 
Rated: 4.41 by al_al1357 from Canada (ON)

Dec 23, 2023
 
Rated: 4.11 by Catalinmunteanu from Romania

Nov 30, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by Nyoder

Nov 26, 2023
 
Photo of Larryken
Reviewed by Larryken from Massachusetts

4.81/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Wonderful cherry aroma, smooth and well balanced flavor. I am a Rodenbach fan and this brew reminds me of Alexander. Very dark red color and this is a beer worth seeking out. Been enjoying on tap from my local.
Nov 09, 2023
Photo of Shiredave
Reviewed by Shiredave from New York

4.3/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
The Duchess is the refined Grand Dame of sours.
Dark and still with a faint wisps of foam.
Rich dark fruit aromas of cherries and pear mix with sour apple cider vinegar sharpness.
The flavor follows - tart and fruity with a malt depth underneath that carries the sour character giving it heft and balance.
Finish is dry and tart with lingering apple rind notes.
When "fresh" ie. properly conditioned this can be stellar.
Oct 26, 2023
 
Rated: 4.43 by QueenSac from Colorado

Aug 26, 2023
Photo of Bobbisu245
Reviewed by Bobbisu245

2.18/5  rDev -47.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 4 | overall: 2
I wanted to love it. Love sours and all kinds of fruit beers but this was not my cup of tea. Looked wonderful but one whiff of the rotten apple smell put me off. Thought OK smell isn’t great but taste had to be better. NOPE! As bad as I didn’t like the smell I liked that more than the taste. To me tasted like what I would envision nail polish remover tasting like. Hubby didn’t agree with my acetone comparison, but he too thought that it was just not good.
Aug 26, 2023
 
Rated: 4.13 by BeerInspector from Delaware

Aug 19, 2023
Photo of Drop_The_L
Reviewed by Drop_The_L

4.74/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Opulent.

Bright acidity balanced with medium carbonation make this beautiful palette cleansing opener. Bright cherry and balsamic vinegar on the nose wish a dash of barnyard funk. Tart cherry notes evolve into a sweet (but not overly so) balsamic vinegar finish that just begs for another sip. Those who resist will enjoy the long, lavish finish.
Enjoy with wild game or short ribs.

Served in a Burgundy glass at around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Aug 11, 2023
 
Rated: 4.09 by tobek from New York

Aug 11, 2023
Duchesse De Bourgogne from Brouwerij Verhaeghe
Beer rating: 93 out of 100 with 4677 ratings