Duchesse De Bourgogne - Brouwerij Verhaeghe

Brabander

Netherlands

3.65/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I drank this beer purely by coincidence this evening. I went for a walk in the town where i live and i saw my cousin Barry in a bar. Went in and got this beer from him.

From tap in the original glass the beer does not look spectacular. A deep darkred colour and the head disappears very fast. No carbonation visible.

Smell has some sourness but not unpleasant. The taste is like a sour ale, not my style but reasonable drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2011 20:24:39 | More by Brabander

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Medium brown toned body with a foamy beige one finger head.

S - Tangy and tart, also fruity and fresh. Some grainy scents are there too.

T - Alot of fruit tartness like cherries and possible red grape/apple. This beer is also acidic and has wine like qualities. The alcohol is smooth and crisp. The back of the tongue gets some wood aftertaste and the beer has some sour dryness to it as well.

M - Very effervescent and clean mouthfeel. The beer has a lighter-medium body and is very smooth and refreshing.

Notes - I enjoy sours and this is one of my favorites of the type. Its always good, easy to drink and just an overall quality choice.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2011 05:23:44 | More by BeerForMuscle

Chizoad

California

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Interesting and happy I tried this. Cool bartender gave me a half glass on the house as the keg kicked.

Red, clear, very pretty in the glass. Decent head with good retention on the lacing.

The first thing that I picked up was some funk, then maybe cherries and sugar. But primarily musty funk and ... salt?

Tastes quite different than it smells. Sweet up front, cherries and a little tartness to finish. Some weed on the exhalation out of the nose. Grew on me throughout the glass. Not a crisp beer by any stretch.

Light body, not overly carbonated. Quite drinkable but a sipper nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2011 03:19:51 | More by Chizoad

GilGarp

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap at the Cheeky Monk. As with all beers at CM, it's served in branded glassware which, in this case, is basically a simple red wine glass.

Aroma is musky and funky with some slight fruit character.

Flavor is surprisingly enjoyable and much better than the aroma would suggest. Lots of ripe red fruit, grapes and cherries, with some mild sour/tart flavors. The sweetness is perfectly balanced with the other tart fruit.

Mouthfeel is medium-light bodied and nicely carbonated.

Overall a really nice, warm weather, easy drinking sour ale. This is the perfect introduction to sours.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2011 04:21:38 | More by GilGarp

generallee

New York

4.55/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: It was served on tap at the Blue Monk in Buffalo NY and presented in a tulip glass.

Appearance: The Duchesse De Bourgogne comes to the table sporting a small creamy off white head over a dark and hazy reddish brown body. It is full of lively carbonation rushing up to the head which has great retention and leaves perfect lace ring after each sip.

Smell: The aroma has lots of delicate tart fruit and wine like character with light woody and nutty nuances and some mellow malt sweetness.

Taste/Palate: Like the aroma its flavor displays notes of sour cherry, tart raspberry, browned apple peel and red wine backed by dry woody oak and some light yeast funk. This is balanced by some bready malt with mild sweetness. Everything is nicely balanced and slowly fades into a smooth dry finish. The palate has a lively well carbonated medium feel with tons of complexity and a mild sour pucker.

Notes: The wonderful balance of flavor and body works to give it lots of complex character and drinkability. I would highly recommend to both wine and beer drinkers who like sours.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2011 13:57:40 | More by generallee

BillHilly

Washington

4.85/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had this in Praha (Prague) at the Pivovarsky Klub (Beer Club).

A: Absolutey the best of the best of the Flanders when on tap. Beautiful dark red, like a balsamic.

S: Sweet & Sour, citrus fruit, vinegar

T: Like a cranberry vinegar with little to no hoppiness, very unique.

M: Thick, pleasant carbonation

D: Have had it both on tap and in bottle, the tap is far superior to the bottles you will get at the local bottle shop...might have to travel abroad to get it on tap, but worth the trip, espcially if you are in Europe enjoying the vacation as well.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2011 06:37:16 | More by BillHilly

WildRage

New York

3.8/5  rDev -8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had 2 of these at the Tap Room in Warren, NJ last night. The brew looks gorgeous when poured into the chalice I drank it in - almost a ruby color.

There wasn't much of a strong smell - a little vinegery, and a bit fruity. I really liked the taste, although definitely more sweet than sour. A little more sourness and a little more alcohol would make this beer nearly perfect. I'm reminded of Rodenbach when drinking this, but as said before, a bit more sweet.

I would definitely order this beer again if I ever see it. Would also be a good introductory beer if you're not used to this style.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2010 14:21:36 | More by WildRage

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a clean orange-ish brown color with a light tan head. In the aroma, sour cherry and oaky hints. In the taste, sweet to sour dark cherry and a small oaky hint. A smooth and sour medium to light bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry oaky and cherry aftertaste. Nice oaky hints, with a nice cherry sourness.

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2010 21:20:58 | More by OWSLEY069

OneDropSoup

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Very excited to see this on tap at House of 1000 Beers in New Kensington, PA.

Poured into a stemmed tulip: Dark reddish-brown, kind of burgundy, with deep plum highlights & a finger of khaki, loose head. Great color, big crown of lacing.

Smells of balsamic vinegar, tart, dark cherries, vanilla, green apple, a little leather, a little sawdust. Very complex & nicely integrated.

Taste follows aroma very closely, with some amplified acidity & more pronounced cherry & apple, wrapped up well. Wish I could say more, but it's pretty much already been said.

Full-bodied, smooth, a little viscous but with that moderate acidic bite. Very engaging.

This is one great beer. Flavorful, complex, but doesn't overwhelm or knock you out. That said, two is probably my limit. Maybe I had expectation bias, but I went in prepared to love this & I loved it, so there you go.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2010 16:17:00 | More by OneDropSoup

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Dark ruby colored brew which sports a rocky, pillowy, off white head that seems to breathe as if the beer was alive (which it is). Craters opening up, the head finally dies down a little and leaves alot of lace. Just a beauty of a beer.

Smell: Apple cider, vinegar. A bit musty and sour smelling. Perfumy.

Taste: Tart and sweet with a lingering sour/metallic edge. This ale was matured in wooden vats, providing an oaky/woodsy dryness. As it warms, more complexity develops, fruits that do not exist like a mixture of cherry, granny smith apple and citrus with some acidity. This is one hell of a beverage.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a semi dry finish and a lingering sourness of the palate.

Drinkability: A very desirable sour that is a pleasure to partake. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2010 15:38:10 | More by Stinkypuss

kbutler1

Minnesota

2.95/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On draft. Short review as I am at the bar and in a rush. Sour fruit aromas. Acidic taste. Notes of nail polish remover and acetone. The acetone mixed with the sweetness of this beer really is a turn off to me. Reddish color with a tan head. Not terribly good but ok for the style. Light/medium mouthfeel.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2010 19:54:15 | More by kbutler1

jampics2

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap @ the Beer Engine. This is my sweetheart's go-to beer for kegs and eggs! Gotta love that!!

Looks decent - reddish color with a nice small head. Just nothing outstanding.

Smell is good - for the style, I find this to be one of the more appetizing noses as some Flanders reds are rather putrid. This smells of vinegar, cherries, and oak.

Taste is also quite nice. Really sweet, with the balsamic vinegar and cherry notes dominating. I get a touch of belgian malt and some oak, also a hint of lemon - otherwise, it's a straight-ahead sour vinegary cherry fest of a beer.

Mouthfeel is this beer's strongest suit IMO. Light, crisp, and perfectly carbonated. The finish is rather remarkable as well.

Overall, I dig this beer, it's everything a Flanders Red should be. A touch too sweet for revisiting a few times in a sitting. But a nice sour and something that has served as a bridge into the genre for many.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2010 12:57:06 | More by jampics2

snogglethorpe

Japan

3.55/5  rDev -14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A lovely deep burgundy color, with a huge creamy head. Smell is interesting, woody/fruity/musty. Taste doesn't really live up to the smell though -- it's sour, fruity, and refreshing, but not complex, and the woody notes in the smell are barely evident in the taste.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2010 05:37:18 | More by snogglethorpe

dqrull

Sweden

4.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Clear red, deep poppy-red, crisp lightly pink coloured head that receeds and leaves no lacing, but a fine pink ring on the liquid.

Smells fresh and nice! Tart berries and green grapes, slightly unripe strawberries, without the bitter stringiness to it. Lightly funky, there's a light maltiness behind it all as well.

Taste is lightly acidic, with a oh so small, but refreshing hint of vinegar and citric acid, but at the same time it is pretty sweet. Lots of red berries, a b it riper than in the nose, but not fully ripe, still contributing with a light bittterness. Finishes with a funky white breadiness and a faint bitterness.

Slightly cloying in the mouth, but still manages to stay pretty fresh thanks to the acidity.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2010 20:49:21 | More by dqrull

BillyBoysPie

Kentucky

4.3/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap in the appropriate glassware at the (soon to be if it isn't already) legendary Sergio's World Beers in Louisville, KY. Go. Now.

Reddish-brownish-purple with a dense white foam on top. Near perfect lacing with decent retention.

Tart and sour flavors dominate the nose. Well fruited, mostly cassis (currant) and raspberry combined with tart rhubarb like acidity. Some malt comes through, but the slight buttery is far more interesting.

Grape bubblegum and tart raspberry are in the front with some of the oaky, woody characteristics filling out the beer. It's very delicate, but really clean. Well balanced and very enjoyable.

Light, not too viscous. Enough carbonation to accentuate the tart without overpowering the sour.

Easy to drink - if you like the style, which I do. It's really fun and deep.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2010 01:27:39 | More by BillyBoysPie

wd40

New York

3.5/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Beautiful burgundy appearance. Deep dark red, fairly clear. Smells like a fantastic sour beer mixed with red wine. I really liked the aroma except there was a faint hint of metal. The tast up front is fantastic. Great sour bite that quickly fades into an almost soda-like sweetness. The finish of the beer is very sweet, more like wine than beer. The mouthfeel is soft. Subtle carbonation. The beer is very well-crafted but the drinkability is negatively affected by the sweetness in the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2010 07:09:43 | More by wd40

Hawthorne

Maine

4.45/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap and thought it was brilliant!! After having this beer I became aware of how biased I was toward American craft beers. This beer pours a beautiful deep chestnut with limited head. The nose has sun dried fruit with a flavor that has a nice maltyness with raisin. mmmm!

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2009 02:17:35 | More by Hawthorne

drabmuh

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer served on draft at a beer bar in FL. Beer served in a Duchess De Bourgogne wine glass. Beer is hazy brown and has a broken brown head with very little carbonation. The tiny head manages to leave some lacing on the glass.

Aroma is citric and lactic sour in nature. Not too much complexity but for this style its dead on. Time to drink.

Beer is sweet and sour, the sweetness comes first but its quickly overtaken by the sour nature of the beer. Beer is smooth and has a thin body. The drinkability is high and the midpalate is where the majority of the flavor is noticed. Its a good example of a sour beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2009 16:54:43 | More by drabmuh

Katahdin

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

I was suspiciou at first of this beer. I am not generally a fan of Sours, but this one won me over. Very smooth and crisp. Has a nice sour taste and a full body but without the tartness of many sours. This is a beer that will not pucker your mouth with its tartness. it has a surprisingly sweet finish to it and is imminently drinkable. Even more the aroma is not overwhelming like many other sours.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2009 20:10:05 | More by Katahdin

fropones

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Report from notes and memory. Had this one in a bar last night, had to take a couple notes on a napkin.
The pour was beautiful; it was kind of dark in the bar, but to me it looked like a nice red wine with a thin off-white head that left a whole ton of lacing.
The smell was sort of a tannic vinegary smell you get from a red wine or even a sherry. Some cherries and tart apple cider. Taste was similar; a balance of sweet and sour, some tart cherries. I also noted a hint of a sort of coppery taste in there as well.
Mouthfeel was effervescent; crisp and dry. Like a nice champagne.
Overall, very drinkable; couldn't even taste the alcohol and probably would have had a few more if I could have afforded to.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2009 15:58:41 | More by fropones

bsp77

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Serving glass: Poured from tap into small 10oz wine-like glass.

Appearance: Dark ruby-brown with thin head and slight lacing.

Smell: Apples, cider and vinegar. Mix of sweet and tart.

Taste: Really reminds me a mixture of cider, ruby port and malt vinegar. Definite notes of apple, autumn spice and tart sweetness. Not nearly as sour as Rodenbach Grand Cru (which I enjoy quite a bit), with more of a vinegary sweetness.

Feel: Not really sure how to review this. Reminds me of a smooth cider. Carbonation is certainly noticeable, but not beer-like.

Drinkability: Gets better with each sip and as it warms. I feel I could have just kept sipping all night - damn 10oz glass!

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2009 03:12:27 | More by bsp77

BigAl723

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Ashley's in Ann Arbor.

A: Rusty pumpkin brown with a creamy tan head.

S: Vinegar, fruity, and sour.

T: Apples and chocolate. What combination!

M: Medium carbonation. Very light in the mouth. Creamy and smooth.

D: Very smooth. This aged sour goes down very easy. I could drink a lot of this.

Overall, a real unique beer. I heard the bartender say something about a sour ale matured in oak casks and double fermented. Instantly I knew I had to try it, I'm glad I did.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2009 19:09:10 | More by BigAl723

armock

New York

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured a dark brown with ruby hints with an off white head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is off sour dark fruits

T - Follows the nose dark fruit plums and apples finishes slightly sour

M - This beer has a medium to full body with medium carbonation to it

D - Its been awhile since the last time I had it and forgot how good this beer was its a great gateway to sour beer a must try

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2009 20:12:39 | More by armock

womencantsail

California

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: The pour is a dark, rich, red color without too much carbonation or head formation.

S: Loads of dark fruit, specifically sour cherries and currants. There is a nice lactic sourness along with a mild vinegar aroma.

T: Almost identical to the nose. A wonderful tart/sourness, but not overpowering. The cherries really come through here as well as a touch of sweet malt.

M: Medium bodied with a high level of carbonation and a crisp, dry finish.

D: I'm still getting used to these sour ales and this is a great one to start on. Nothing overly intense about it, but a nice beer nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2009 03:29:49 | More by womencantsail

aggiearcher13

Texas

3.9/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I like sours, but I hadn't had this one in a while so I figured I'd go back and review it. Had it last night at Monroe St. Bistro.

A: Pours a ruby-red, a little brownish with a small about of white head on it. Looks pretty good.

S: Very wine-like, makes my glands tingle in anticipation.

T: Vinegary, cherry, some wood, rather tart, a little sweet on the finish. Pretty complex, I'm a fan.

M: Nothing great, but it's what I would expect from the style. Light, not overly carbonated.

D: This is one of the less-sour sours that I've had, but somehow it falls into one of the less drinkable for me as well. Still pretty darn good though.

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2009 20:32:29 | More by aggiearcher13