Duchesse De Bourgogne - Brouwerij Verhaeghe

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a very dark mahogany with white head. Dissipates to ring around edge of glass.

Smell is peppery, worchestire sauce, tart fruits, ripe plums.

Taste is very tart up front. Ripe fruit (plums and banana) belgian character comes through. Very mild bitterness. Dry.

Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied and dry.

Overall this was weird but enjoyable. I would definitely try again. A very slow sipper for me.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 22:39:45 | More by TrappistJohnMD

spokeydonkey

New York

3.85/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter.
A-A deep, clear red. Some very light head on the beer.
S - Vinegar and cherry.
T - sweet and tart up front, but in good balance. Nicely effervescent. Finishes with a lingering spicy bitterness that lasts.
M - medium bodied. Sweet, but the acidity and carbonation keeps it from being syrupy.
O - a nicely balanced and drinkable sour.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 03:24:37 | More by spokeydonkey

Spilly09

4.63/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a snifter and left to settle for a few minutes.
Pours a dark cola color--a reddish brown. Highly carbonated, with a head that settles into a thin layer soon after pouring but maintains a nice lacing.
Nose is a pungent vinegar and a bit of cola. You know what you're about to taste when you smell this one.
Mouthfeel is big and smooth. So much going on here. Terrific.
Initially there is a huge hit of carbonation and sourness on the front of the tongue. It then moves into a big hit of balsamic vinegar, finishing with an awesome "Dr. Pepper-esque" cherry sweetness and a long, residual aftertaste. Just lovely.
This one is not for everyone, but if you would buy a balsamic flavored cola, this one’s for you. Excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 01:42:07 | More by Spilly09

SHODriver

California

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

A: poured into a champagne flute. pours a nice reddish brown with a three finger light tan head with decent retention
S: smells of sour cherries, acetic acid and some nice woody oak and vanilla
T: tart cherry, a bit of oak and vanilla, residual sugary sweetness, vinegar sourness. swallow brings more oak and vanilla with a bit of tartness toward the end
M: medium with soft carbonation, very nice in the mouth but slightly chalky and a little drying on the swallow
O: a very nice and tasty beer. good complexity, true to style and very well made. well worth the money and quite enjoyable

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 00:31:49 | More by SHODriver

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked this up at Julio's a long time ago, poured into my Dogfish Head chalice.

A - Pours a cherry amber hue with a large, off-white, 2 finger head with a good retention and a light lacing.

S - Light sourness with some faint vinegar notes along with some slight earthyness qualities.

T - Lots of nice oak barrel with this, quite prominant and mingles nicely with the good sour vinegar notes and faint cherries. Nicely complex as well.

M - Nice carbonation for this style, keeps it up off the tongue.

O - Super refreshing and delicious. Quite enjoyable and a solid brew for the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 22:05:57 | More by rudzud

danieelol

Australia

3.4/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from Leura.

Pours brown-red with nice head and ok lacing.

Smell is nice. Huge amounts of cherry syrup, very vinous also. Big, big charred oak/tar flavour. Like a very aromatic red. Balanced and subtle vinegar note. Some rainforest character, just smells alive.

Taste has more of that charred Jack Daniel's like character. Unfortunately this beer carries a lot of sweetness with it and it's a little bit too much for my tastes in sours. I can see why it comes in a 250mL. The charred aftertaste isn't quite enough to counteract all that sweet taste-bud stimulation when it's in the mouth. Some rose character but really just more Jack Daniel's.

Sweet, sweet mouthfeel with highly carbed body.

Overall an enjoyable and unique beer which could do with less sweetness and Jack Daniel's in its profile.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 14:01:28 | More by danieelol

LiquidAmber

Washington

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

Review from 8/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a dark red amber, moderate long lasting head and lacing. Fruit and sour aroma. Nice dark fruits with a rush of cherry, sour and sweetness in a well blended flavor. Sour and fruit finish. Wow. Sours aren't my favorite style, but this is excellent and beautifully made. I will buy again.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 18:29:22 | More by LiquidAmber

jmaharaj

Maryland

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- a burning deep red. white foam lingers around the edge of the glass. this beer looks beautiful.

S- Sour. not an overpowering tart, but it feels deep. slight cherry, maybe un-ripe apple.

T- amazing. you feel the tartness right away. its a wonderfully complicated tartness that tastes of cherries and apple skin. theres a little malt that carries the tartness until a puckering dry finnish that fades into a light woodsy spiciness. this beer is complicated, long, and all those elements dance together beautifully.

M- thin, an almost passive-aggressive carbonation. carries the flavors well and then leaves you wanting more

O- love it. nothing about this beer tastes forced or artificial. its cohesive while being incredibly dynamic. one of the best flemish style beers ive had.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 03:30:53 | More by jmaharaj

kjyost

Manitoba (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle acquired form the MLCC, BB 13/04/2014. Poured ~5C into a Perfect Pint glass.

Ruby red and seemingly crystal clear beer with a tan head of one finger that drops to a cap and laces surprisingly well. Tons of cherry pie filling in the nose off the hop, then a bit of buttered corn and earthiness come through along with a slight acidity. The body is a bit of a battle between the cherry and fruit with the malt. A surprisingly thick malt body that is hard to discern, but gives away a bit of a caramel sweetness that plays interestingly with the fruit notes. A hint of sourness develops, though much less than I had expected. Once again a bit of a butter note comes through oddly enough, which takes away from the beer's taste and mouthfeel.

Enjoyable. Would have been a much better beer without that buttery slickness, but worth buying a few more before they disappear to see how it evolves.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 03:22:52 | More by kjyost

devilben02

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep medium brown, with a dense beige head that leaves tremendous lacing. The aroma is pleasant but muted, with a faint, musty/herbal hop character that is reminiscent of old, wet grass (in a good way), which is contrasted by a light, fruity combination of berries and citrus. The flavor is more vibrant, with a bright and fruity combination of mixed berries and sour cherries that is not overly sweet, especially when cut by a kind of aged vinegar character. The fine, soft carbonation elevates rather than distracts from the sweet/tart flavor. Overall, the sweet and only gently sour profile of this beer makes it quite drinkable but still flavorful.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 15:49:21 | More by devilben02

duracell

Quebec (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

330mL bottle into a tulip glass. 6.2% ABV

A - Pours a cherry color with amber hues. Large, off-white, 4-finger head with a good retention and a limited lacing.

S - Sour, spicy, fruity, white wine like. The yeast is present with some earthy character.

T - I pick out wood, cherry, dark fruits. Very interesting and complex blend of sour and sweet notes. Some spiciness is noticeable at the end.

M - Active carbonation with a medium body. Slightly acidic, this beer is very smooth and lingers pretty well.

O - Very refreshing drink featuring a good complexity and a perfect balance. Definitely a must try!

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 12:22:44 | More by duracell

Evan_Duncan

2.68/5  rDev -35.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Ruby red with quickly receding sandy head. Medium lacing, and this looks wonderful.

S - Vinegar, tart sourness, stone fruits (is that plumb I smell?), the aroma is not as complex as I thought it would be; everything seems to be muddled and flat. :(

T - some funkiness, metallic, sharp sourness but pleasant. a slight stone fruit note (cherries, plumbs).

M - medium light mouth feel, somewhat thin, good carbonation.

O - The metallic flavor ruined it for me to the point where I couldn't finish it. I was really disappointed with this one. I had high hopes and it fell flat. I will try it again, but this one just did not hold up to its reputation.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 14:15:30 | More by Evan_Duncan

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

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

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

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