Domaine DuPage French Style Country Ale - Two Brothers Brewing Company

Winter

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy amber with a light khaki colored head, which flattens and eventually disappears. Sweet caramel malt and biscuity aroma. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with a touch of crispness. Sweet caramel malt on the front. Middle starts to introduce more of a fruitiness to the mix. Almost reminiscent of fermented grape jam. That jammy fruit flavor continues and combines with a toasted biscuit finish. Hops seem light. Very interesting and unexpected revelation of flavors. Great offering from Two Brothers.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2003 18:34:34 | More by Winter

sulldaddy

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I am sampling a chilled bottle in a snifter. Bottle is marked best before 10/31/04. uh oh. THe beer pours a clear chestnut hue with a small creamy eggshell white head resting on the surface. I do get some yeast sediment at the end of the pour. The aroma is fruity and malty. SOme red grape and green apple mix well with caramel and biscuits. A nice nose while still remaining rather mild.
The first sip reveals a smooth silky body and fine carbonation that tingles my tongue. I have no concerns about the beer being off.
The flavor is complex yet again not robust. I get sweet caramel, pears and lemony citrus notes throughout. The finish is a little tangy and fruity. QUite enjoyable. The bottle says 5.9%, but I dont notice it. THe drinkability is high as the beer is smooth and goes down easily. I had never heard of this brewery when I bought the bottle, but this beer makes me interested in finding others.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2005 01:30:25 | More by sulldaddy

ultralarry2006

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle. Left a small one finger head that quickly dissipated, and left little lacing. Body was a clear copper red amber.

Smell - diacetyl, fruity esters, overripe pears and plums, caramel, and toasty malt.

Taste - same as the smell. Buttery diacetyl with overripe pears, plums, washed with caramel and toated malt. It finishes with tart sour green apples.

Mouthfeel - medium fullness, smooth, moderate carbonation.

Drinkability - this is very good, goes down well, and is very sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2006 13:46:54 | More by ultralarry2006

kbnooshay

New York

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Part of the haul back from Chicago. Thanks going to my brother.

a: This poured clear and carbonated with an orange amber body and a small off-white head.

s: The aroma was grainy, sweet and of toasted caramel. This was slightly hoppy.

t: WOW! Sweet and malty. Very toasty aftertaste. The hop flavor is light but very nice. There is a nice doughey bread flavor also.

Mf/d: Slick and oily with a slight carbonation sting. I would only have a few of these because of the insane sweetness but this goes down so easy. Quite the treat. This is one incredibly balanced beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2006 14:36:26 | More by kbnooshay

BellsFan

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance = It poured from a twelve ounce bottle with a small head that quickly dissipated without leaving any lacing on the glass.

Smell = It has a rich caramel nose that is pleasant

Taste = the taste is also rich in caramel that seems too strong at first but then quickly dissipates leaving a nice finish. A toasted caramel is also evident.

Mouthfeel = adequate carbonation in conjunction with the thick caramel almost balance each other.

Drinkability = this is an easy drinker but not quite a session beer because of the thick caramel taste and mouth feel.

Overall I like it and would purchase another sixer.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2009 01:48:20 | More by BellsFan

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz. bottle into Sam Adams glass on 5/13/09.

A - Poured a slight hazy, effervescent amber/orange body with reddish highlights and one-finger creamy eggshell head that settled to a slim coating that flared up with each swirl of the glass, leaving splashes of lace around the sides of the glass.

S - Light toasted grains, caramel and sugar up front with fairly aromatic floral hops contrasting with earthy tones and herbal notes. A pleasant fruity character also emerges, suggesting a subtle dark fruit tang as well as hints of ripe pear and other fleshy tree fruit.

T - Initial flavor is on the sweet side with a mild hop charcter combining spicy, floral and citric notes. Spicy notes in the finish with a fruity sweetness and a hefty malt backbone consisting of caramel and bready grains.

M - Medium bodied with a light syrupy texture and slightly sticky mouthfeel overall. Sweet finish with enough of a hop character to tingle the tastebuds just a bit.

D - I've been sitting on this for a while for some reason, but I was pleasantly surprised with this Two Brothers offering. Very interesting, flavorful style with a pretty light, crisp body and lots of subtle complexities all working together to create an extremely drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2009 23:30:07 | More by ffejherb

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Deep red with little head, which quickly fades.

S - faint raspberries and vanilla.

T - this is very good, lots of vanilla, caramel, and slight tartness.

M - very full and creamy, maybe a little more carbonation I would prefer.

D - very balanced and easy to get along with, but remains interesting throughout. Will definitely buy again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2010 03:25:10 | More by

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +14.2%
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

botham

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

on tap at the Hop Leaf in Chicago. pours a rich copper color with two fingers of light tan head, beautiful settling and solid retention. great looking in the glass.

aroma is of caramel malts and a bit of yeast, along with a base of spicy fruit. well proportioned aroma with an aura of a brown ale.

taste is lightly fruity with caramelized sugar and light grassy hops. very fresh and flavorful. the caramel malts from the aroma give way to a semi dry hop character that is great.

mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth on the palate. goes down a touch spicy with residual grassy hops.

drinkability is good. very mellow and easygoing brew with fresh hops notes and a very drinkable profile. cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2009 01:19:15 | More by botham

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev +15%
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

Erish

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I poured this 12 oz. bottle into a large wine glass. Best by 5/9/11.

A: cloudy, with plenty of suspended yeast, the head is negligible, the cap is scant but persistent, the lacing is decent.

S: earthy, barnyard-like funkiness, some spice (nutmeg/allspice), a definite pumpkin-like aroma, honey, a caramel/vanilla infused maltiness supports the whole thing.

T: the malt, funk, and spice all hit up front, the middle shows a slightly sour, vinous character as well as some honey, the finish is very dry, a little peppery, and finishes nicely with earthy/grassy hops.

M: medium-weight, ultra-creamy texture, the carbonation is plentiful and helps cleanse the palate for a perfect finish. Exceptional.

D: This is an exceptional all-season beer, and I will definitely seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2011 01:52:07 | More by Erish

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +16.3%
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

tai4ji2x

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle. best by of 3/20/09. poured into tulip.

deep brownish amber with orange tones. slight haze from yeast. fluffy tan head fades to wispy layer. some lacing but i wish for more.

aroma starts with caramel and apple, with very gentle phenols bringing out sage and parsley. hints of hay and a trace of barn or farmhouse character.

subtle acidity throughout carries you through the flavor spectrum, from caramel maltiness, to apple, pear and white grape, to spices and herbs, with grassy hop and mild bitterness, onto gentle phenols with another hint of farmhouse.

not too thin, almost approaches light syrup. moderate, complimentary carbonation.

so far, my favorite traditionally styled biere de garde. none of that cloying sweet character to the malt. instead, this has a well balanced caramelized maltiness, complimenting all the other characteristics in the flavor and aroma profile.

frankly, i'm surprised that so many actual french attempts at their own indigenous style can't seem to match this american version's superior balance of complexity and drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2009 13:42:52 | More by tai4ji2x

gimmehead

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Rich reddish copper with a small off-white head and minimal lacing. Smells very malty and grassy. Also some sweet caramel and sugar with a fruity apple or cherry aroma, very earthy. Taste is of wheat malts, grassy, lightly hopped with some sweet sugary notes and a very clean finish. Maybe a little on the thin side, but as I mentioned the mouthfeel is very clean. A very well balanced beer that paired nicely with grilled pork chops and made for a nice session. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2005 02:17:14 | More by gimmehead

fdw3

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep, dark amber with a small off-white head that retains nicely and leaves a good amount of lacing. Smells amazing with a combination of caramel malt, molasses, honey, sweet fruit, and just a bit of flowery hops. Taste delivers on the promising smell and is extremely well-balanced; sweet flavors of malt and thick honey fade into some earthy hops with a good combination of bitterness and alcohol. Mouthfeel is smooth and just a bit syrupy with significant body and moderate carbonation.

I really enjoyed this beer; the malt character is dominant but the sweetness is not overpowering; taste is complex. I could only do a couple at once but I would enjoy every sip. Loved it!

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2011 00:01:08 | More by fdw3

Tballz420

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Just as a heads up, I've only had one or two of this style before, so my ability to rate it against "the norm" is limited.

Fairly dark copper colored brew, fair amount of haze, small white head doesnt last long, but leaves a fair amount of lace. Pretty malty on the nose, some nuttiness, some darker fruits as well. Taste is very large, light sweet caramel front, some fruit and nut notes, spice, bready, a bit of candy. Pretty complex taste, i think they did a good job with it, its well blended. Medium to full bodied, pretty smooth and creamy.

Not only will i have this again, but i will go through their line after this and their fine dortmunder as well. Seems like they are thinking outside of the box and doing a good job at it.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2011 00:57:01 | More by Tballz420

cokes

Wisconsin

4.47/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Lovely stuff here.
I admire the fact that Two Bros has the balls to label themselves "Brasserie du Deux Freses" on the bottle.

Slightly hazed amber in color. Off white head diminshes quickly.
Very herbal nose with some grainy qualities.
Starts off somewhat simple with toasted carmel dominating the mouth. After and few sips (and allowing it to warm), the complexities opened up. Dough-like malts with grape sweetness. Some nutty and buttery tones. Earthy and some mustiness (but in the best possible way). Carmel sticks around leaning towards toffee. Grassy, hay-like hops come in and dry this out toward the finish.
Medium bodied. Dances nicely in the mouth.
Just fun to drink. Would be great for a session, but also a nice treat in itself.

I got word that this should be available in Madison very soon. I am excited, to say the least.

A large thank you to Bighuge for giving me the advance screening. This one is right up my alley.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2002 23:44:42 | More by cokes

Darius75

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Clear reddish amber color. White bubbles on the side of the glass, but no head and almost no lacing when the glass is tipped.

Smell: Caramel, bready malts, a hint of unidentifiable fruit. The Bros say baked apple. I'll defer to that.

Taste: Crispy, crispy toasted malts rounded off with a light touch of hops. Not too bitter, not too sweet. The aftertaste is mellower, and after 5-6 seconds I don't taste much of anything.

Mouthfeel: Light and humble. Alcohol presence gentles the caramel. Carbonation is perfect for the flavors.

Drinkability: I'm guzzling it. Should really slow down.

This is going to be a great year-round ale, but I'm looking forward to pairing it with summer foods: vegetables and balsamic-marinated chicken on the grill, corn cobs with butter and salt, the occasional burrito with sweet potato mash instead of rice.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2009 05:07:37 | More by Darius75

MowryJC

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a snifter.

A - Lovely deep coppery color, pleasantly cloudy, with a medium-full head that settled fairly quickly into a thing film over the top, with some unven lacing.

S - Wonderful caramel aroma, light fruit as well. I'm thinking dried cherries. Almost no hop aroma whatsoever.

T - Full maltiness, with the caramel payoff I expected from the smell. A nice bitterness on the end that stays on the palate. A nice light warmth from the alcohol as it fades. Perfectly balanced for the style, IMHO.

M - A sexy, silky mouthfeel which lingers and stays on the tongue for just the right amount of time.

D - Incredibly drinkable. I feel like another one immediately following the first, and given the full body and flavor, impressively thirst quenching.

I'm a huge fan of this style, and this example doesn't disappoint.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2010 02:36:49 | More by MowryJC

alehopman

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle into a nonic pint glass.

Appearance: Spot on amber in color. Two finger, persistent head. Massive lacing. Fine beaded, medium carbonation.

Smell: A lot going on here. Very yeasty, sweet caramel malt and a touch of noble hop (something like Golding/Hallertauer/Saaz etc).

Taste: Very sweet/malty/bready. Great malt/hop balance. Finish is in form of nice lingering hop bitterness.

Mouth Feel: Full bodied, somewhat cloying.

Drinkability: At 5.9% abv, this is not quite a session ale but on a given night would be tempted to try more than a few of these, however.

Overall: If this is what they serve in the French countryside, l wouldn't mind spending some time there.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 14:47:35 | More by alehopman

longdivision

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Isaac's in Newtown.

A - An opaque, ruby burnt orange. Steady lacing throughout.

S - sweet, malty, with hints of sugar cane. flemish yeast.

T - Sweet up front but smoothes out to a yeasty almost tart/tang. Reminds me of Duchesse de Bourgone, belgian sour ale, without the sour part.

M - Pleasantly medium with a dry finish.

I was pleasantly surprised by this beer as I had no idea what to expect. Unique and had me coming back for more. I'm going to look for this at my local store. Try one.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2009 01:34:09 | More by longdivision

unclejazz

New York

4.55/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Finally got around to reveiwing one of my beer for your buck favorites. i am glad there is another great brewery coming out of the midwest.

A-This is a great copper color and just a bit cloudy. A 1/2 finger head that quickly went away and left very little lacing. There is a low but steady carbonation that i am sure will lend itself to good moutfeel.

S-one of the best things about this ale is the toasted notes that remind me of a fall harvest: pumkin, sweet potato, pine, coriander, and tea leaves.

T-this is an ale with a bite that seems to hit at just the right moment. Just when you think you are going to be unimpressed, there it is. eat sip leaves just enough flavor for me to want one sip more. Its starts out sweet and turns bitter before an unagi finish. very well layered.

M-There is still carbonation in the last half of this bottle and i would assume it is due to active yeast> Thanks yeast, old friend.

O-I keep an eye out for this and have a corner spot of my mixed six reserved for this one. I am excited about exploring all of the Two brothers varieties that are becoming available to the NY area.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 03:19:06 | More by unclejazz

nortmand

Virginia

4.6/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours clear and amber red with a moderate tan head.

Biscuity, bready nose. Caramel there, too.

Sweet and biscuity up front, levels to a moderately bitter, huge biscuit flavor midtongue. This beer is all biscuit.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation, this is very sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2006 23:54:05 | More by nortmand

arboristfish

Wisconsin

4.7/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The beer pours a coppery amber color. Has some yeast floating in it. The head on this beer is a frothy white color. The aroma smells of bread, biscuits, and malt. The taste is of caramel, baking bread, and biscuits. The lingering taste is of biscuits. The hops arent really noticeable, but there is a hint of noble hops. The mouthfeel is in between light and medium. Not as thick as a brown ale. With this being a malty sweet beer, it is very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2010 21:36:19 | More by arboristfish

Arsenal11

Illinois

4.72/5  rDev +23.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap right at the awesome on site brew pub.

The beer looks great deep brassy color

Smells of caramel, dark fruit, and toast

The taste is great starts malty and than the caramel, dark fruit and a slight sweetness hits aftertaste is a nice balance of malt and light hops.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 05:07:41 | More by Arsenal11