Duchesse De Bourgogne - Brouwerij Verhaeghe

t420o

California

4.08/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Duchesse de Bourgogne 

A- pour produces a 1-1/2 finger tan head resting on a deep amber/copper colored body. Great retention and good lacing. Strange for a beer that's a mix of 8 and 18 month barrel aged base beers. 4.5

S- tart cherry, sherry, vinegar, light alcohol 4

T- very interesting. Upfront it's tart and slightly sour cherry, slight vinegar follows, these are quickly met by a sweetness that washes all tart and sour aspects away. Wish the sweetness didn't hit so quick. 4 

M- excellent mouthfeel. Great carbonation and body. 4.5

O- a very fine beer. I'd like it a little more sour though 4

A-

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 02:11:49 | More by t420o

UCLABrewN84

California

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Lucky Baldwin's Delirium Cafe in Sierra Madre, CA.

Pours a murky crimson brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Tiny dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is slightly sour and tart with some malt, sour fruit, red wine vinegar, and woody aromas. Taste is much the same with a woody and slightly acidic flavor on the finish. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer but it's definitely not as sour as I remember it being from the bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2012 19:48:46 | More by UCLABrewN84

tut2528

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours with very low viscosity, ½ fingers worth of head formation but actually leaves a very fine film around the edge of the glass. Decent carbonation is noticed upon swirling the beer. Color is more on the opaque side resembling a syrupy/maple color with slight touches of red. Moderate lacing.

S: Oak is very dominant, and smell resembles a red wine. There are strong fruits present and I don’t get as much sour character as I have with sours (limited at this point personally). This one is very complex as I feel that the aromas are changing by the minute.

T: This one does not have a strong sour taste. The oaky aspect is present and it is in a nice balance with other flavors. Lot of different flavors come out, especially as this one warms up. Molasses comes to mind along with an apple aspect. I also get a bready note as well and a slight tartness to it. After taste consists of brown sugar and cherries.

M: High carbonation on the mouth feel. Goes down rather quickly and decently smooth. The mouth literally salivates while drinking this one enticing you to drink more.

O:I thought the balance was decent and it drinks very much like a wine or champagne.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 05:38:07 | More by tut2528

garymuchow

Minnesota

4.68/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Tart fruit (especially cherries), wood, funk, sourness all swirling around in an orgy of aromas. Quite nice.
Pretty beer. Darker body of closer to brown than red, but clear with lots of bubble action. Dense tan head with great stability.
A little sweeter than other Flanders I've had. with a "Fizzies" taste (the baby boomer members of BA might remember them) with the sweet and sugary fruit flavors, but it's not overbalanced towards sweetness, as all the elements in the aroma appear in the taste too. Even with the shot of sweetness up front this finishes with a moderately dry and woody finish that is absolutely delightful.
The perfect refreshing and light yet full carbonation on this is wonderful and delicate and enhances the drink.
Boy this is quite an exceptional beer.

Gift from my 2nd for father's day. What a nice guy. :0)

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 00:37:15 | More by garymuchow

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

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

I enjoyed this beer on draft at the Muddy Pig in St. Paul, MN. The waiter delivered the stemmed glass of mahogany colored elixir. The aroma immediately made itself known. The fruity, woody, funky mixture elicited pleasant memories of the good side of Worchestire sauce without losing its beer distinctness. The flavor expands on the palate into a fruity, cherry-like, sour, oak-laden profile filled with complexity. The waves keep coming, all complementing the central them of sourness. This is deep wonderful beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2012 22:44:04 | More by BeardedBoffin

BostonHops

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2oz bottle served in a snifter.
best before date: 04/29/2012

pours a mahogany tone while yielding a creamy 1" or so of beige colored head; middling retention, fades to a thin, lasting cap. decent lacing. a decent amount going on the nose, which is one of the more unique aromas i've encountered recently. notes of caramel, brown sugar, belgian yeast, cherries, funk, and cider vinegar.

the taste is an unexpected treat. not being the biggest fan of sours i'm pleasantly surprised by the flavor profile: cherry, apple, and sweet malt lead the way. nice balance between sweet and tart. it has a nice sour component that doesn't go too far. very tasty. toward the lighter side of medium-bodied in the mouth with some lively carbonation.

overall i'm enjoying this. was admittedly a bit apprehensive at the outset but keeping an open mind has paid off. great beer.

(originally reviewed: 06-21-2011)

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 21:52:20 | More by BostonHops

themind

New Jersey

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

Bought this beer in Virginia in a little wine shop. $6.00 per bottle and I didnt really know what to expect. Well this beer is very interesting to say the least. Lots of flavors going on with an interesting sour taste. This beer has that Belgium carbonation with a twist of sour. Its very good and I would buy it again.

Bottom line- Very good, interesting beer that I really enjoyed. The down side is I dont see myself drinking multiple beers at a time. If you like Belgium beers and flemish ales this is right up your alley.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 21:09:09 | More by themind

markmiller

New York

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

Pours a beautiful dark reddish ruby brown with a decent finger of off white head. Nice lacing.

While pouring this, there is a funk that wafts up...kind of hard to describe. The aroma is one of tart fruit, brown sugar and vinegar. As it warms, it seems to get more "funky".

A long, drawing sip proves this one to be sweeter than the nose. I was expecting far more tartness to the Duchesse, but she's pretty damn balanced. There is a that fruit, maybe some strawberry, candied citrus rind. Oak is present, and this one finishes lightl and balanced. Never too much fruit or tartness. Unique and delicious!

Crisp finish, not overly sweet on the aftertaste.

Outstanding example of how complex beer can be. Enjoy this at least once for sure!

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 01:09:34 | More by markmiller

Steasy66

Minnesota

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

~12oz pour at Nomad world pub into a wide mouth glass.
A- Dark brown, not much head.
S- Smells quite fruity, very sour.
T- Nice red fruits, a lot of oak, somewhat sours. I don't really like sours, but this is a fine beer.
M- Crisp carbonation, not too thick, nice.
O- Pretty shocked to find a sour I liked. Would drink again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2012 09:07:13 | More by Steasy66

sjverla

Massachusetts

4.68/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nose: Vinegar and lightly fungal. Crisp and sweet like white wine. Red grapes and sour blackberries. Delightful.

Appearance: Deep ruby-brown. Minimal head with decent lacing. Good clarity. The color is lovely.

Taste: Earthy and deep. Gentle tartness and sweetness. Ripe blackberries. Notes of vanilla and wood. Light bodied and a little effervescent. Crazy good.

Overall: Wildly complex. Impeccably balanced. Just the right amount of tartness and funk. Just phenomenal.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 01:31:17 | More by sjverla

Rickythejeweler

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Best before: 05/10/2013

A - Dark garnet-ruby, one finger off white head, great lacing.

S - Belgian yeast, cherries, molasses, dark spices, mixed berries, brown sugar.

T - Sour cherries, black cherries, strawberries, raspberries, candi sugar, caramel, sherry oak, belgian yeast, slightly tart.

M - Smooth, medium body, moderate-low carbonation, slightly dry finish.

O - Better than expected! Very drinable, first Flanders red ale and it was a pleasant experience.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 21:07:51 | More by Rickythejeweler

joecast

Australia

5/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

specs out of the way first. best before 22/3/2013 250ml 6.2%abv

this is one hell of a pretty beer. quite clear, dark amber in color. low carbonation. one cm fine firm tanned head. genuinely nice to look at. like something i have seen in books about beer. only its in my lounge room. hooray for me.

dreamy aroma. and i dont use dreamy lightly. puckering vinegar (acetic for you sciencey types) acidity balanced by a prominent fruity sweetness. light touch of alcohol without the heat. woody (dried, not green). has a concentrated characteristic to it like molasses, incredible.

and i can finally take a sip. just been too preoccupied smelling this one. soooo smooth. just brilliant. the expected tartness is there but very mildly. finish is so light for such a complex beer. i can only imagine the complexity is brought on by the blending and oak influences and the impact they have blow me away.

cannot believe i only have the one bottle. makes me sad. ive always been intrigued by this style and feel i have now found its standard. and it is good!!

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 11:30:13 | More by joecast

LeeryLeprechaun

Colorado

4.4/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Beer pours with a nice white head that is constantly being replenished by tiny little bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass. The beer is red brown and fairly brilliant for the color.

Aroma: Mostly that winey funk that often accompanies sour ales. No hope aroma, no distinguishable malt aromas.

Taste: Very wine like, subtle sourness, mostly lactic acid and not vinegar. Starts off nice and sweet but with a dry finish. No sour twang in this beer.

Mouthfeel: Medium light body, medium carbonation, very smooth and coats the inside of the mouth very nicely.

Overall: Wow, very solid flanders red. It is nice that the sour is not lip puckering but instead smooth.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 03:43:54 | More by LeeryLeprechaun

cradke

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Dark brownish red. A thin fine head.

Smell: A tart nose that has some good sweetness. Cherrys and other esters.

Taste: Delicious. Not as tart as the nose would lead you to believe. Certainly some dark fruit. Nicely complex and well put together.

Mouthfeel: Very nice. Nicely substantial with good carbonation.

Overall: I'm really impressed with this beer. The nose is quite tart but the taste is well balanced. Very good amount of fruit. I really enjoyed this.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 23:56:09 | More by cradke

raynmoon

California

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

Its such a beautiful ruby red. Most beers are like a brown red but this one is truly red. Amazing.

It smells nice and tart. You get some cherries in there. Maybe a little acidic, but still pleasant. Reminds me of fruity sparkling wine.

Right on the front it is tart and sweet and then goes down very sweet and smooth. Very champagne like on the mouth feel. It is kind of hard to describe what i'm tasting. It just reminds me of a darker, fruit champagne. I can see why people like this style and I can see why other shy away.

Overall I definitely enjoy this beer. It is my first Flanders style sour or a Red Sour so I can't really say it's not the best in it's style, but I wish I'd be getting a little more depth. It seems to go down sweet/ vinegary the whole way without really changing too much. But as it warms up it seems to be getting a little better.

Still something i'd love to have anytime. But for 6$ a bottle? I dunno. I'm hoping to enjoy the Lost Abbey's Red Poppy a little more at 15$ a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 03:05:06 | More by raynmoon

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

4.68/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured from a small bottle into a Dogfish Head snifter. The pour is a beautiful clear ruby-red color with a gorgeous fluffy white head. The nose is tart, fruity, flowery, sour, and slightly musty.

As for the taste, woah baby! This lady has class. There's a slight candy-sweetness up front that is balanced by a refreshing sour apple acidity. The mouthfeel is medium-firm and silky smooth. The carbonation seems just right. I'm no expert of Flanders Red Ales, but this one is a freaking work of art. It's not a mouth-puckeringly acidic as Rodenbach Grand Cru. The pleasant sweetness that accompanies the flavor makes this much, much more drinkable. I think I might actually prefer it.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 22:46:36 | More by deadonhisfeet

birderbeerer

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Ruby red with solid head formed by tiny bubbles like a quad/abt. Lacing that lasts.

Sour, red wine aroma. Bit of citrus.

Sweet taste surrounded by a sour cloud. Great balance of sour and sweet malts. Moderately rich taste. Tart fruit softened by oak.

Fairly full body and creamy given how light it tastes.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 17:35:49 | More by birderbeerer

ThePorterSorter

New York

3.95/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I've definitely had this beer before, completely worth $25/4-pack

The beer pours a dark, dried blood red with a dense tan head. Sticky lacing notches rings in my glass as the head slowly sinks and there appears to be no visible sediment. The smell is a slightly acidic, metallic, funky sweetness. This is just as I expected, except for the notes of aluminum. However, the metallic smell is replaced by a volatile acetone as the beer warms. Cold is a completely inappropriate serving temperature.
The taste is the perfect balance between sweet & sour with incredible drinkability. The aftertaste is slightly bitter and acidic. This beer is right on par with a good flanders red and is less sweet than a monk's cafe and less fruity than a rodenbach. Long into the aftertaste a malt graininess settles in, which is also an unexpected feature of this beer. Overall, this beer will make a wine lover extol its complexity and a non-beer drinker relish in its drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 01:09:56 | More by ThePorterSorter

stcules

Italy

4.23/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Mahogany color, bright, with ruby edges. Beige foam, good and creamy.
Malty smell, acicic, red fruit, strawbeery, raspberry, and sugar. And all on good acidic notes.
In the mouth a good acetic acidity, agai red fruit, oak notes, candy sugar. Good.
Light body. Great drinkability.
In the aftertaste the same pleasant note, a strong oak woody-ness, red fruit, and the acetic over all.
Definitely good, to drink in great quantity.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2012 19:39:43 | More by stcules

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

4.73/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle, marked “Best before 02/02/2013” also “ A blend of 8 and 18 months old beers following the carful maturation in oak casks”

Purchased 10/11 and very well stored.

Poured into a Corsendunk Tulip

Pours a huge three finger head, very foamy, lots of medium bubbles, lots! The head very slowly reduces to ½”, excellent lace.
The color is very deep red amber. Beautiful! Classic looks.

The aroma is a big blast of wild cherry smelling yeast, very powerful with a fair amount of wood peaking thru in the background. Each smell brings and ever changing cherry aroma. It is very complex and aromatic.

Crisp, delicious entry on the palate of sour wild cherry and yeast. Woody mouth drying middle, yet there is a faint suggestion of sweetness, probably mind games from the intense cherry flavor. A very pronounced and yet very balanced sourness. The medium full body and crisp acidity perfectly balance this ale. Just flat out delicious!

The finish is long and very mouth drying, consisting of sour cherry of course, followed by distinct wood. The woody dryness eventually takes charge.

This is an amazing brew, unlike any other style. Amazing flavor profile and a great choice for breakfast. Really!!
I have had this on tap several times (these notes are from bottle) with very similar taste profiles. It is more akin to drinking a fine wine than an ale, with an exceptionally enjoyable mix of fruit and wood and a complex bouquet. Wow!
Highly recommended! And an excellent introduction to the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 14:47:40 | More by JTSbeerislife

kojevergas

California

4.15/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Best before date: 30/03/2013. 11.2 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into me Guinness goblet in me gaff in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Bottle acquired at Red Carpet Liquor in Glendale, California. They also carried the larger bottle. I don't recall the cost. Expectations are through the roof given the reputation of this beer and the style - which I generally am quite fond of.

Served refrigerator cold and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. This should be in line with the recommended 47-53 degree fahrenheit range. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Not paired with food. I wanted to enjoy the beer on its own, especially since the serving size is relatively small.

A: Pours a four finger head of great smooth cream, marvelous foamy thickness, and fantastic retention - though the ABV is merely 6.00%. Colour is a dark semitransparent ruby. Translucent. No floating yeast particles are visible. There's no bubble show, but I've yet to see a beer in the style with one.

Sm: Sourness, wild yeast, bacteria, cream, clean malts, and an oak tone - when I look for it. A subtle, mild strength aroma. Very encouraging, alive, and inviting. I'd prefer it stronger, but its downplayed timidness lends it a certain class.

T: Yeasty subtle sourness, with cherry fruit ester notes. Slight cream on the open and as an undertone. Oak is a backgrounded tone that isn't horribly noticeable. Hints of red grape notes (but not wine). Extremely subtle. Fantastic. The sourness isn't overdone, and would likely appeal even to people who don't usually enjoy sours. Incredibly well balanced. Exceptionally well constructed, with complexity and layering abound. Nicely tart. Pleasant to drink, even approaching refreshing. Very enjoyable. I quite like it.

Mf: Perfect creaminess for the style. Smooth and wet. Great thickness. It's a touch too wet methinks - especially on the finish. Subtle slight dryness would be ideal to coax out the next sip. Perfect carbonation. Complements the flavours quite nicely.

Dr: Incredibly drinkable. I could down this all night. A bit pricey, but well worth it. An exceptional sour. Quite remarkable and special. Perhaps the best beer in the style I've had yet.

A great candidate for aging.

Drank wonderfully out of me goblet. A snifter would also be appropriate.

Would pair well with a salad, but I'd prefer it alone. This beer warrants your full attention.

A-

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 03:56:50 | More by kojevergas

Firkin-Bunghole

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

11.2 fl oz bottle with best before date 11/30/2013
A: This one gushed when poured. Luckily didn't lose any. The pillowy foam subsided in a couple minutes and about a fingers worth of foam remained. Color was more dark red with brown
S: Smells real nice, cherries with slight woodiness
T: Tartness & sourness explodes during first sip. Took me back a little at first made my mouth and cheeks pucker. The sour/tart feelings do linger for a long time after finishing. Feel good that I had this beer at the end of the night.
M: Couldn't hold this one in my mouth for too long. Is well carbonated and feels medium
O: This beer takes me back to my youth when I would eat a roll of Shocktarts or a bag of Sour Patch Kids. The only down-side which might be a plus budget-wise is I can't have more than 1 of these in a sitting. Will buy a 4-pack of this next time instead of a single bottle. Also, really like to see a long best-by date printed on the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2012 01:21:02 | More by Firkin-Bunghole

confer

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is my first Flanders Red, and I think I have a winner as my first. Reddish -brown with a giant fluffy off-white head. The smell is over-ripe apples. Tart but sweet.
Taste is more of the same. Tart and sweet.
Feel is very light and dry.
A very tasty beer and I'd imagine a good example of the style. Price is a little much but it could be nice treat every once in a while.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2012 00:24:00 | More by confer

kawilliams81

Illinois

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

350 ml bottle poured into D'Achouffe tulip.

A- pours a dark ruby with a 2" khaki head. Some large strands of lacing and blotches.

S- mostly sweet and tart cherries some roasted malts.

T- damnit! Can't put my finger on that flavor? I will go with vinegar but its something similar. Followed by sweet and tart cherries.

M- light ody itch medium carbonation. Slightly acidic and semi-dry finish.

O- this beer did not disappoint. Only gave it 4's because it lacked some funkiness but still has that slight vinegaress taste. Will definitely get this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 22:14:56 | More by kawilliams81

GeraldFunk

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into pint glass from 330ml bottle.

A- Beer has a dark ruby brown colour with nice head on the pour. Head dissipates very quickly though leaving good lacing.

S- Very complex aroma, a little shocking at first but quite pleasant. Balsamic vinegar, Rose Champagne, sour cherries, red grapes. All good.

T- The tartness of this beer hits first with more of the nose. Balsamic vinegar is what i'm getting mostly with good sour fruit notes as well.

M- Nothing crazy here, good carbonation and medium long finish.

O- Wow, I'm fairly new to the style but I can tell i'm a big fan of flanders reds. Nothing like a nice complex beer to finish the day.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 06:43:33 | More by GeraldFunk