Domaine DuPage French Style Country Ale - Two Brothers Brewing Company

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 12 oz bottle from a trade with brewcrew76 at DLD '07.

A: The ale is a deeper orange color, almost amber, with a crystal clear appearance. The head was near 2 fingers and is lacing throughout the glass.

S: The nose is dry toffee malts, thick with cereal grains.

T: The ale has a very strong malt flavor, almost to the point of sweet. Some tart green grapes come through as a result of the malts, providing a distinctly strong flavor. Lots of cereal, toasted grains come through as well, providing a dry bread-like finish.

M: The mouthfeel is dry, full of grainy dryness and hints of tartness. Very refreshing for a summer day.

D: The ale, despite its big malt body, is reasonable alcohol-wise, creating a big tasting drink that won't lay you out.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2007 01:44:59 | More by akorsak

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to a friend for sharing a case. Styles aside, this is was an interesting Belgian amber. Very subtle and drinkable. There's a not unusual, but uncommon, smooth cherry caramel taste that finishes with a gentle Belgian spice. No, it's not a big robust Belgian, but it's certainly a decent session beer and good rival to Fat Tire.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2009 00:30:21 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

How weird best by 12/10/09 never had that happen before. Appears a slightly hazed amber hue with a nice creamy tawny off white head, leaves behind ample lacing with each sip fine scattered layers at that. Aroma has a nice vinous herbal flow to it with a touch of citrus hops but dominant bread like caramel roasted malts are the highlight of the nose. Flavor really hits with the sweetness upfront with caramel malt some heavy grainy Wheaties like flavors with semi bitter finish with some citrusand herbal hops carrying through in the finish. I get a nice fruity refreshing quality the whole time with a dry yeast and mild spiced finish. A really nice sessionable ale that packs massive layers of flavor, mouthfeel overall is smooth carbonation is moderate and natural body pulls off at least a medium ranking without overdoing any one area very balanced. Drinkability is sound in all regards I wish these guys would be more readily available for me, this Domaine DuPage was like a nice piece of crusted bread buttered perfectly with herbs sprinkled on top it was simplistic and perfect for the experience it's trying to pull off.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2009 08:27:18 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear orange brown. Nose is a strong leafy aspect. Flavor is nice and roasted. Seems a bit leafy. Lasting profile. Feel is a bit thick on the liquid and smooth on carbonation. A nice example of this style. I usually don’t go for it, but I like this one.

Serving type: growler

01-01-2008 06:53:51 | More by RblWthACoz

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Two-finger head with some staying power and good lace. Dark amber color with a slight haze.

Dark crystal malt aroma. Muted hop.

Full flavor and body--creamy texture. Good balance--the malt is not sweet, but it is not overly dry either. The hop is present throughout the taste and after the swallow.

This is a fine offering. I didn't notice the usual off flavors I associate with French country ales. I'd equate it to a very good pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2007 18:52:33 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

3.85/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to BrewerB for this one.

Best By: 1/12/09

Poured into a goblet a very nice golden orange color, nice carbonation, very nice foamy one-finger plus off-white head, with some nice small islands/sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, with very slight yeast, pears, slight spice. The taste is very sweet, malty, some yeast notes, pears, some spicyness. Medium body, there's a syrupy texture to this brew. Drinkable, not a bad brew at all, thanks Brian.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2009 00:32:48 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.15/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours with a three-finger head that fades to a ring leaving some lace. Cloudy amber color. Good carbonation and medium bodied. Nose is a earthy hop. Starts slightly hoppy has an earthy spice flavor, finish is clean, more hops than malts. $1.85 for a 12oz bottle from Julio's Liquors Westborough, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2005 23:32:24 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Poured in an American pint glass)

Appearance: Nice reddish-bronze color with a thin white head that fades quickly. It has nice lacing on the glass

Smell: Good toasty malt aroma with a very slight hop spiciness

Taste: It taste like eating fresh sweet malt and then it ends with a nice hoppy finish. For having a strong malt taste at the beginning and a good hop taste at the end it really taste balanced by all the flavors.

Mouthfeel: Medium smooth body with no hot alcohol taste and very gentle carbonation.

Drinkability: This really has a full malty taste but the hops are strong enough to support it without being sickly sweet. Very pleasant to drink and seems to fit the style guidelines very well.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2005 02:19:48 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap @ Bukowski's Tavern.

A- Excellent head retention, lacing sticks all the way down the glass. Clear deep semi-dark copper color.

S- Baked apple, toasted dark bread ... hint of alcohol and spice.

T&M- Smooth and creamy, nice rounded malty body of medium size. Super malty, not sweet but balanced. Toasted, bready and fruity. Light hopping. Yeast twang, more toasted malt ... finishes slightly sweet.

D- Very tasty, easy to drink. Lovely mouthfeel, lots of malt and old world beer character.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2006 21:26:25 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

3.98/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ouncer, with best by dating of 7/19/08 on the rear label. Pours a warm, orangy shade of amber, slightly cloudy, lightly toasted whole wheat bread head, that leaves just a bit of scattered lacing. Spiced up nose, with hints of spearmint, pepper, and more toasty notes. Flavorful brew, more toasty/wheat flavors, fruit, smoke, and sweet malts. Well worth a try, especially for appreciators of this French/Belgian style.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2008 01:55:34 | More by Billolick

mdfb79

New York

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into my Portsmouth tulip.

a - Pours a somewhat transparent dark amber color with one finger of fluffy off white head and moderate carbonation evident. Leaves a little bit of lacing on the glass and the head lasts for 3 to 4 minutes.

s - Smells of bready malts, musty, earthy malts, and light caramel malts. As it warms up some definite fruit and some toasted malts. Pretty nice, but was expecting a little more caramel here.

t - Tastes of caramel malts, bready malts, sweet fruit, wheat, and toasted malts. Pretty enjoyable and definitely a step up from the smell. I like the caramel and toasted malts mix with the sweet fruit.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Pretty smooth.

d - I thought this was a pretty good beer. The smell improved a lot as it warmed up and I enjoyed the caramel and toasted malts in the taste. Would certainly have again.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2011 23:31:11 | More by mdfb79

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle purchased as a single from Julio's, Marlboro, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1" tan head over the cloudy coppery amber brew. Head lasts nicely, with plenty of bubbly lacing. Aroma is grains and light spicing. Taste is hearty grains, a touch of sour, and then closes with a touch of dry. Mouthfeel is great, smooth grains and tart working well together, and drinkability is excellent as well. Not sure if it's to style, but it's yummy, and that works for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2006 22:10:20 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at TJ's...
Appears a hazy dark amber with a small white head that quickly fades into a mild cap and collar. Spotty bits of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of wet hay, flowers, caramel, and earthy minerals.
Taste is of the aromas with some aspects of ripe fruit and bready yeast pulling forward.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, slightly fruity, and semi-dry in the swallow.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2010 20:38:29 | More by weeare138

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a clear deep amber with a somewhat truncated head that splits off into islands of thin bubbly froth. Something weird, but nice, in the aroma. Like Rosemary or Sage or something. I think it's Rosemary. (I had a Farmhouse ale that used Rosemary at PizzaPort in Solona Beach, CA, and this seems similar to that.) This beer is a real refreshing change from all of the typical beer styles. It is very nice. Not often do you find French Style Country Ales available at the local package store. Thus, I'm having a hard time describing the taste. I would say it has quite a unique herbal quality. A healthy dose of grainy notes. And a nice bitter hop finish. Easy drinking for 5.9 a/v. Damn good beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2002 21:34:55 | More by Bighuge

plaid75

New York

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at The Blind Tiger, NYC.

Poured a medium copper hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was little retention and lacing.

The smell featured a toasted caramel.

The taste was likewise toasty with an earthy and grassy hop.

The mouthfeel was of average fullness.

Overall a tasty and easy to drink country ale.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2010 20:15:44 | More by plaid75

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Domaine DuPage not only sounds but also looks perfectly suited to be at the table for a classic, multi-course French meal. It has a classy mahogany tone and appreciably clean, if not glassy, complexion that offers up amber highlights when held against a bright backdrop. Even its head, a slim and fashionable crown of lace, looks swank and dashing.

The aroma is a unique blend of caramel, lightly charred oak, dried fruits, wild honey, toasty croutons and just a drop of alcohol. It's the kind of bouquet that lends itself to a laundry list of flavours and constantly warrants attention to see how the smells develop with time and air. And it's as intimidating as it is particular, showcasing unexpected strength.

The beer's flavour is decadently rich (again, perfectly in line with the French theme). It has the same richness as a high-fat cream and all the sweetness of a creme brulee. While I immediately start thinking of pot-au-feu or roast game or something sauteed in bacon grease, I can't help but wonder if this could work with dessert as well...

You be the judge: flavour specifics include roasted chestnut, honey-glazed pecan, French oak, baked apple, raisin and date, caramel, dried cranberry and a sugar and cream (creme brulee) combination. It's underlying sweetness is cut short by a brief but stern hoppiness. It has a clean, lager-like disposition despite all the musty, woodsy flavour and scent.

I can't help but close my eyes and see visions of musty cellars, crumbling corks and dusty bottles, stone bridges, a log on the fire, strong cheeses, the sounds of an accordion, a poetic language, warm scarves and the inexplicable desire to make love. If it can instill all that it stands to reason Domaine DuPage is one of the strongest examples of the Biere de Garde style commercially available. Thanks Sam for the beer (and vacation)!

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2010 22:53:59 | More by biegaman

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours dark amber- dark for the style, but with a fine white head that sticks around for awhile and leaves some nice lacing. Smells a bit grainy, like brown bread with some earthy hops and some brown sugar glazed pears. The taste is very nice- quite balanced with some slightly sweet grainy malt, some notes of banana and pear, and some more earthy hops as well as a touch of brandied citron on the end that intermingles nicely with the long somewhat bitter earthiness. Very smooth and silky in the mouth, with just a touch of tartness. A very nice beer- can't believe its taken me this long to try it.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2010 21:49:58 | More by Georgiabeer

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into Matilda Glass

Pours a 1 finger beige head. Not very good retention or lace. Color is a very slight hazy dark golden bronze. No carbonation bubbles noticed. Nothing to special.

Aroma: It is like a hopped up saison. Kind of like an imperial red kicked with some saison juice. Some very sweet hops, backed up with some tarty fruits. red apples really show here. Very sour aroma. Some Belgium yeast. I can definitely tell that there is a malt background balancing this beer out. Simply amazing.

Taste: Not as amazing as the smell. The yeast strand really sticks out here. Very funky. Not as tarty, but still a tad is present. A lot more booze shining through here. Dried red apples. A lot like a saison. Big, hoppy taste as well, like an imperial red.

Mouthfeel: Robust and creamy. Medium bodied. A lower level of carbonation. A lot of booze is present after it settles in the mouth for a bit. Had it not been for the booze here, I would have enjoyed the mouthfeel a lot more. Leaves a very yeasty aftertaste.

Overall, this beer was unique. Some good parts, some not so good. My bottle is going slow, but I don't mind it. I don't know how much more I'd want though.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2009 00:40:51 | More by mothman

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer is a dark brownish-amber color with a medium cream-colored head. Decent lacing. The aroma is mildly toasted malt and caramel. Light-bodied and smooth with a kind of low amount of carbonation. The flavor is a little tart but overall a mild blend of malt, bread, hops and caramel. The finish is very smooth, making for a fairly good session beer overall. I would get this again but it's a little simple in places.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2004 19:13:00 | More by Dogbrick

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beautiful light golden coppery orange color, slightly opaque with little yeasties floating around, thin off-whitish cream colored head that fades to a thin ring and minimal spotty lace. Smells like an open field of grains with some nice little malty sweetness, dry, subtle, thin caramel notes behind. Taste is mild, pleasing, and subtle, lightly toasty with lightly dry biscuity tone and buttery sweetness, nice little grab of breadish yeast thats quite favorable on the palette. A mild drying woody hop finishes off this subtle masterpiece with enticing notes of grains and rice. Feel is medium bodied with a favorable little creamy start, adds soft thin grainyness and the finish is lightly crisp with a nice fluffy drying that fades well. A pleasant subtle beer with lots of thin layers and complexity. A good drinker and quite enjoyable, a great session beer. Thanks goes out to jeffboo for the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2003 18:17:48 | More by tavernjef

mactrail

California

3.35/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

An intriguing and malty beer that tastes like it's not from around here.

Beautiful orangey-amber color with a modest head. Sprightly in the mouth. Hint of pineapple and butterscotch. Some nice roasted flavors. Bitter hops come on very slowly but take over the aftertaste.

Each mouthful starts out very promising with some golden malty sweetness but ends in a stew of funky flavors, hinting at musty and metallic. Very interesting and worth a try, but a pint would be too much of a good thing.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2010 01:22:57 | More by mactrail

ccrida

Oregon

4.2/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into my Schell's shaker pint, Domaine DuPage is a dull chestnut with a small off-white skim leaving no lace.

Smell is semi-sweet, some spiciness, complex stylistically.

Taste is classically aligned as a BdG,a nice caramel sweetness, some esters, but not overly so.

Mouthfeel is light, clean.

Drinkability is good, this is a well executed, clean BdG, with the classic notes to satisfy.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2011 03:50:06 | More by ccrida

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Domaine DuPage French Style Country Ale
Two Brothers Brewing Company
Style: Bière de Garde
ABV: 5.90 %

LOOK: Somewhere between deep copper and amber. Fine clarity.

SMELL: Malty, with some caramel and toffee notes. Subtle floral aromas as well.

TASTE: Toasted caramel malts, pine and herbal tea like hops, and slightly bready. Mild fruity flavor and downplayed sweetness.

MOUTHFEEL: Medium bodied, well carbonated. Clean finish.

OVERALL: A nice simple table beer, would pair just fine with an appetizer of cheeses and light citrus vinaigrette based club salad.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2012 23:26:13 | More by Stinkypuss

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

2.5/5  rDev -34.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a hazy orange-ish to copper color with an off white head. In the aroma, mellow gingerbread note, but very faint. Inthe aroma, a faint earthiness and a small spice, but thin. A small spice bite and medium to lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry spice in the aftertaste. OK, but really nothing notable.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 17:03:58 | More by OWSLEY069

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance- Pours a golden, amber orange and some good, constant bubbling. The head is about one-and-a-half fingers with decent retention. Eventually leaves a good, thick white film. Lacing is prettyy fleeting.

Smell- Spicy, semi-vinous character with medium to light hop aroma background. Lightly spiced caramel malts play around as well.

Taste- Starts out slightly toasty sweet for a fleeting moment, and then quickly builds to a medium pitch of tasrtness to almost sour levels. With a hoppy, yet herbal finish.

Mouthfeel- Dry, and very lingering.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2006 04:40:59 | More by scruffwhor