Duchessa
Birra Del Borgo
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- From:
- Birra Del Borgo
- Italy
- Style:
- Farmhouse Ale - Saison
Ranked #832 - ABV:
- 5.8%
- Score:
- 82
Ranked #25,633 - Avg:
- 3.62 | pDev: 10.77%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Nov 17, 2021
- Added:
- Aug 22, 2011
- Wants:
- 2
- Gots:
- 23
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good
Notes:
None
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.04 by Robertas from Lithuania on Nov 17, 2021
3.74 by Kiro from Russian Federation on Jun 25, 2021
3.79 by igl from Russian Federation on Dec 17, 2020
3.5 by RiceOwls27 from Texas on Aug 18, 2020
3.85 by arzt from Russian Federation on Jun 09, 2020
3.65 by Silke_Neryn from Sweden on Jan 12, 2020
3 by Dino1018 from New York on Dec 06, 2019
3.5 by Griffith from Connecticut on Jun 27, 2019
3.6 by JOBEERFB from Belgium on Jan 14, 2019
3.69 by HopBelT from Belgium on Jan 12, 2019
3.87/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
by Beginner2 from Illinois
This is the first Birra del Borgo that I've rated above average. I tend to be hard on Italian ales as they are pricey and are not a good value, let's say, 90% of the time. I'm glad with Duchessa that I found another of my 10%.
Looks are average. But Smell, Taste and Feel present an integrated ale that uses different grains (spelt and probably wheat) and a yeast that almost takes it the level of the Belgian masters (but not quite.) The yeast works the grain into a feast of flavor that is interesting; although too different to make me really excited this first time around.
Del Borgo's "Retkinking Ale" is a great motto and, frankly, its results take an open-mind to judge; which I wish I could say I have most of the time, but I doubt I do. An open-mind to changing conventional tastes takes work thinking about what the brewer is trying to achieve. But after looking through Del Borgo's website, I can see they have done inventive thinking. It also is no small feat to persist for a decade brewing ale in wine country. And for that, I give them a very big OA hug.
Dec 30, 2018
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
by Beginner2 from Illinois
This is the first Birra del Borgo that I've rated above average. I tend to be hard on Italian ales as they are pricey and are not a good value, let's say, 90% of the time. I'm glad with Duchessa that I found another of my 10%.
Looks are average. But Smell, Taste and Feel present an integrated ale that uses different grains (spelt and probably wheat) and a yeast that almost takes it the level of the Belgian masters (but not quite.) The yeast works the grain into a feast of flavor that is interesting; although too different to make me really excited this first time around.
Del Borgo's "Retkinking Ale" is a great motto and, frankly, its results take an open-mind to judge; which I wish I could say I have most of the time, but I doubt I do. An open-mind to changing conventional tastes takes work thinking about what the brewer is trying to achieve. But after looking through Del Borgo's website, I can see they have done inventive thinking. It also is no small feat to persist for a decade brewing ale in wine country. And for that, I give them a very big OA hug.
Dec 30, 2018
3.55/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by FLima from Brazil
Amber orange color with a thin head with short retention and with a constant plate.
Aroma with lots of medicine piney notes, white wine, orange marmalade and musk.
Flavor with note of pepper, mild cloves, herbal medicine, malt sweetness, orange tartness, white grapes, soap, hay, banana, musk, salt, grains, flowers and pineapple. Dry aftertaste with a mild to medium bitterness.
Light to medium body with slightly effervescent carbonation.
Decent Saison with friendly notes but still with good complexity. It mixes fruit, spices, funk-tartness, medicinal and grainy (spelt?) notes.
Sep 03, 2018
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by FLima from Brazil
Amber orange color with a thin head with short retention and with a constant plate.
Aroma with lots of medicine piney notes, white wine, orange marmalade and musk.
Flavor with note of pepper, mild cloves, herbal medicine, malt sweetness, orange tartness, white grapes, soap, hay, banana, musk, salt, grains, flowers and pineapple. Dry aftertaste with a mild to medium bitterness.
Light to medium body with slightly effervescent carbonation.
Decent Saison with friendly notes but still with good complexity. It mixes fruit, spices, funk-tartness, medicinal and grainy (spelt?) notes.
Sep 03, 2018
3.93 by thatsmyspot from Italy on Jul 04, 2018
3.75 by paulish from New York on Apr 30, 2018
3 by YvesB from Belgium on Feb 26, 2018
3.64 by desint from Belgium on Jan 25, 2018
3.08/5 rDev -14.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by EMV from Pennsylvania
Poured from a bottle into a tulip glass
L: Cloudy amber/copper pour. Thin white head... no significant lacing.
S: Slightly tart... citrus and fruit.
T/F: Very light bodied... toasted grains... citrus flavor... sweet up front with a bit of tart/funk. Grassy. Minimal complexity. Very light bodied... poor carbonation, felt nearly flat. Finish is sweet grains.
O: Pretty uninspired. Not one I'd have again.
Jan 11, 2018
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by EMV from Pennsylvania
Poured from a bottle into a tulip glass
L: Cloudy amber/copper pour. Thin white head... no significant lacing.
S: Slightly tart... citrus and fruit.
T/F: Very light bodied... toasted grains... citrus flavor... sweet up front with a bit of tart/funk. Grassy. Minimal complexity. Very light bodied... poor carbonation, felt nearly flat. Finish is sweet grains.
O: Pretty uninspired. Not one I'd have again.
Jan 11, 2018
3.39/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
by The_Kriek_Freak from Pennsylvania
It pours yellowish amber with a lot of floaties. The aroma is indicative of a bitter brew and it expresses a mild floral-ness. The taste is bitter upfront with some malts and yeasty flavors later on. It finishes with more bitterness of the quinine-like variety.
Nov 06, 2017
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
by The_Kriek_Freak from Pennsylvania
It pours yellowish amber with a lot of floaties. The aroma is indicative of a bitter brew and it expresses a mild floral-ness. The taste is bitter upfront with some malts and yeasty flavors later on. It finishes with more bitterness of the quinine-like variety.
Nov 06, 2017
3.27/5 rDev -9.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
by SSS from Canada (QC)
A-Straw yellow with no head to speak of
S-Musky, earthy and grassy
M-Very low carbonation, medium mouthfeel
T-Sweet upfront with the standard farmhouse funk that comes into play and lingers on the palate and around the gums for a while. I didn't get any distinct farro, as advertised...
O-A decent farmhouse Ale, I'm usually not a huge fan...
Aug 06, 2017
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
by SSS from Canada (QC)
A-Straw yellow with no head to speak of
S-Musky, earthy and grassy
M-Very low carbonation, medium mouthfeel
T-Sweet upfront with the standard farmhouse funk that comes into play and lingers on the palate and around the gums for a while. I didn't get any distinct farro, as advertised...
O-A decent farmhouse Ale, I'm usually not a huge fan...
Aug 06, 2017
2.58/5 rDev -28.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
by ajm5108 from Pennsylvania
Color is fine. Aroma has some hay / grass but very heavy on the loam smell. Flavor follows suit with a little lemon and grass but lots of soap / loam, pretty watery too
Mar 11, 2017
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
by ajm5108 from Pennsylvania
Color is fine. Aroma has some hay / grass but very heavy on the loam smell. Flavor follows suit with a little lemon and grass but lots of soap / loam, pretty watery too
Mar 11, 2017
4.03/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania
Birra Del Borgo "Duchessa"
on tap @ Open Baladin, Roma, Italia on 29 November 2015
€5 / glass
Notes: Mostly clear (it's unfiltered) golden-amber beneath a short head of creamy white. Good retention with better than average lacing. Aroma is yeasty, fruity (lemon, apricot, orange), and gently floral and spicy. The flavor displays sweetish malt with brighter citrus and a stronger spiciness that includes black pepper and some herbal character. This is a spelt beer but I don't really find that. It's bready, and sweetish, and perhaps a bit honeyish and then subtly tart and slightly woody but it's hard to tell what's coming from where. It's firmly bitter and the malt over-rides it at first, but the spice and subtle acidity help to balance it and bring it to a dry, peppery, and herbal finish. Medium to medium-light in body with a very fine-bubbled, delicately effervescent carbonation. Pleasant and enjoyable, it's actually more basic than it sounds here.
Jan 27, 2017
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania
Birra Del Borgo "Duchessa"
on tap @ Open Baladin, Roma, Italia on 29 November 2015
€5 / glass
Notes: Mostly clear (it's unfiltered) golden-amber beneath a short head of creamy white. Good retention with better than average lacing. Aroma is yeasty, fruity (lemon, apricot, orange), and gently floral and spicy. The flavor displays sweetish malt with brighter citrus and a stronger spiciness that includes black pepper and some herbal character. This is a spelt beer but I don't really find that. It's bready, and sweetish, and perhaps a bit honeyish and then subtly tart and slightly woody but it's hard to tell what's coming from where. It's firmly bitter and the malt over-rides it at first, but the spice and subtle acidity help to balance it and bring it to a dry, peppery, and herbal finish. Medium to medium-light in body with a very fine-bubbled, delicately effervescent carbonation. Pleasant and enjoyable, it's actually more basic than it sounds here.
Jan 27, 2017
3.75/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Everydayoff from Thailand
On-tap served in a stemmed glass at Mikkeller Bangkok.
L:
Slight hazy golden orange in color, it tops with thick creamy head that stays with decent retention before sinking to some bubble film atop and leaving lots of lacing patch on the glass-side.
S:
Funky, peppery, floral, light honey, fruity yeast in kind of banana, pineapple, orange, and tropical fruit. Bread and biscuit malt in the background.
T:
Some sourness and tartness in the lead, then it is some funkiness and fruitiness of lime, orange, and pineapple. Some peppery spice in the middle together with a little sweet bready malt undertone. Hop is a bit hidden with some earthy touch.
F:
Medium body, crisp with lively carbonation, rather smooth mouthfeel, very dry finish.
O:
Pretty good Saison, no ground-breaking.
Jan 26, 2017
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Everydayoff from Thailand
On-tap served in a stemmed glass at Mikkeller Bangkok.
L:
Slight hazy golden orange in color, it tops with thick creamy head that stays with decent retention before sinking to some bubble film atop and leaving lots of lacing patch on the glass-side.
S:
Funky, peppery, floral, light honey, fruity yeast in kind of banana, pineapple, orange, and tropical fruit. Bread and biscuit malt in the background.
T:
Some sourness and tartness in the lead, then it is some funkiness and fruitiness of lime, orange, and pineapple. Some peppery spice in the middle together with a little sweet bready malt undertone. Hop is a bit hidden with some earthy touch.
F:
Medium body, crisp with lively carbonation, rather smooth mouthfeel, very dry finish.
O:
Pretty good Saison, no ground-breaking.
Jan 26, 2017
4.04/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by SABERG from Massachusetts
Poured from a recently purchased 11.2 oz undated bottle into the modified tulip glass.
A - Satin wood yellow, huge carbonation, aggressive, cap is white and towering.
S - Musty, lemon rind, and dusty basement. Cut flowers and a bit of honey. Really nice.
T - Semi sweet grains, a bit of cheese rind, and again hints of must, calcium and salinity.
M - Stays in a narrow band, cheese rind, and marmalade.
O - So glad to have tried this, Similar to Blaugies spelt saison.
Worth seeking out
Jan 23, 2017
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by SABERG from Massachusetts
Poured from a recently purchased 11.2 oz undated bottle into the modified tulip glass.
A - Satin wood yellow, huge carbonation, aggressive, cap is white and towering.
S - Musty, lemon rind, and dusty basement. Cut flowers and a bit of honey. Really nice.
T - Semi sweet grains, a bit of cheese rind, and again hints of must, calcium and salinity.
M - Stays in a narrow band, cheese rind, and marmalade.
O - So glad to have tried this, Similar to Blaugies spelt saison.
Worth seeking out
Jan 23, 2017
3.71 by Dazka from Italy on Oct 01, 2016
3.65 by samEBC from Belgium on Sep 26, 2016
2.81 by andpit from Italy on Aug 06, 2016
4 by MrDell from Switzerland on Jul 13, 2016
3.53 by DrMindbender from South Carolina on Jun 09, 2016
4 by DeadeyeOTDO from Arizona on Feb 09, 2016
3.33/5 rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
by stevoj from Idaho
11.1 oz (33cl)Bottle from Boise Co-op. Poured into Duvel tulip, lazy carbonation, suspended particulates, thickish body. Deep golden cloudy pour, smallest of heads. Floral herbal aroma, some cheese, some mustiness. Graininess in the taste, close to a witbier, but I think it is the alternate grain (spelt) which is driving this beer's character. I've had this style before in Germany. spelt is an ancient food grain.
Jan 06, 2016
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
by stevoj from Idaho
11.1 oz (33cl)Bottle from Boise Co-op. Poured into Duvel tulip, lazy carbonation, suspended particulates, thickish body. Deep golden cloudy pour, smallest of heads. Floral herbal aroma, some cheese, some mustiness. Graininess in the taste, close to a witbier, but I think it is the alternate grain (spelt) which is driving this beer's character. I've had this style before in Germany. spelt is an ancient food grain.
Jan 06, 2016
3.83 by Catalin90 from Romania on Dec 22, 2015
3.25 by Walnut from Missouri on Nov 25, 2015
4.39/5 rDev +21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by GrumD from Japan
Love this funky, earthy but quaffable beer. It's nose is filled with spice and straw and the initial taste hints at yeast and farmyard. Fruit comes through in a subtle but pleasant finish.
Nov 21, 2015
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by GrumD from Japan
Love this funky, earthy but quaffable beer. It's nose is filled with spice and straw and the initial taste hints at yeast and farmyard. Fruit comes through in a subtle but pleasant finish.
Nov 21, 2015
3.17 by simonreadmusic from England on Nov 15, 2015
3.95 by wickerman from Pennsylvania on Aug 29, 2015
3.2 by brbrocc from New York on Jul 26, 2015
3.59 by drewone from California on May 25, 2015
3.5 by GRG1313 from California on May 21, 2015
3.73 by Wowcoolman from California on May 21, 2015
4.12 by NateF90 from Connecticut on May 20, 2015
Duchessa from Birra Del Borgo
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
102 ratings