Duchesse De Bourgogne
Brouwerij Verhaeghe

11.2 oz. bottle poured into Libby "stout" glass (sort of a vertical unflared tulip)
8/30/2025 best-by date printed on label

L: clear, dark amber topped with silky thick head of creamy beige foam that sticks like glue; loads of activity in the glass that pushes up a thick tidy collar and about half a skin; the red hues up the light are fantastic; has all the hallmarks of a bottle-conditioned beer done well and overall a work of art

S: somewhat muted and stale notes of tart cranberry pie and vinegar; there are slight hints of farmyard funky things, state hay, wet grain sacks ... maybe even the idea of horse blanket, though again it's very muted

T: classic mix of tart cranberries, toasted cranberries/strawberries the sweet-tart tang; there's a wall of earthy bitterness in the first sip that balances the sweetness, but that bitterness subsides over time and allows the play of sweet-sour flavors to dominate; a semi-dry finish that is juiced up by the fluffy mouthfeel; hints of vinegar or a wine heading in that direction, but those hints only seem to help the sweeter cranberry notes stand out more

F: thick but fluffy despite a fairly lightweight open ... very nice with the carbonation again exactly what you'd expect out of a Belgian bottled brew

O: about three sips in I felt like giving this beer 5s across the board and calling it a job done ... it's truly magnificent in terms of nailing what to expect from the style, but in the interest of fairness, I tried to score it with other beers in mind; it's definitely a perfect hot-weather beer made for sipping and enjoying, not quaffing, though watch out — it's about as moreish as a brew can be at 6+% ABV; I will revisit this one again and again

 

 

 

*archived rating*

 

This beer comes off more like a sour. It has some of the same characteristics as other Belgian beers, like the carbonation and the mouth feel, but it is so much more sour than other Belgians that it is hard to rank compared to those. I am not a sour fan, so I rank this relatively low. That being said, it is okay to drink, not offensive, it just isn't my favorite style.

 

 

Pours a very dark clear red color with a thick off color red head. Smell is of over ripe raspberries and vinegar. Has a very tart cherry taste along with sweetness at the end.

 

 

A bottle poured into a stemless wine glass.
Pours a dark amber/mahogany color with high clarity and a somewhat effervescent beige head that settles into a thin layer that leaves a little splotchy lacing.
The initial nose and flavor are a blend of ripe apple cider and dark cherry juice on the cusp of vinegar. Lightly acidic red wine and oak notes, and subtle hints of furniture polish. The blend of sweet/tart/tangy is somewhat interesting and adds to the complexity. The soft effervescence and pleasant aftertaste entice you to keep sipping.

 

A strong pour released a half finger of creamy light tan foam with short retention, a cap fades leaving a persistent film and ring with lots of lacing. Semi-clear dark cherry/reddish brown body.

A pungent kick of red wine vinegar greets the nose, red wine follows with an earthy funk from old apples, sweet compost, old cherries and grapes.

Sweet taste with very low bitterness at first. Beyond vinous; a tart/sour and somehow sweet taste of dry red wine, grape juice and vinegar compliment each other but do not quite blend. The funk is less pronounced in the early taste; it rises with added horse and barnyard, not off putting. Bready malt taste is low. At the finish the sweet taste drops of leaving the funky sour and high tart tang in charge. Mild bitterness, funky sour cherries and the tart tang linger on.

Medium-light bodied with reserved carbonation, complicated tastes compete yet compliment each other.
I can not call this balanced or smooth but..it works.

Best Before Date 2027-09-04

Copenhagen 5/10 2017. 75 cl bottle from Vin De Table, Frederikssundsvej, Kbh. NV. What looks like a miniature of a Renaissance painting printed on the bottle.

Pours clear red hued dark brown with small very bubbly head. Settles as very fine thin layer of foam. Moderate lacing.

Aroma has medium fruity sweetness and stronger tart notes. Unripe berries and sweat.

Strong carbonation and slightly thick palate.

Flavor is medium sweet followed by slightly stronger sourness. Aftertaste is sour without being aggressive.

Civilized road Sour Red.

 

Pours a clear, dark coca-cola red, with a tightly foamy but patchy buff head. Pure cider vinegar on the nose, that emerges more as a sort of crabapple verjuice on the tongue, with a tinge of molasses. Extremely sticky mouthfeel, with a finish of mint and wintergreen, reminiscent of sour sweets, maybe kola cubes.

I can't say I'm a fan of sours - unlike my wife, whose favourite beers are all sours - but I've been trying to expand my palate. This isn't something I really enjoy drinking - but in reviewing a beer, you do eventually have to judge it for what it's trying to be, not what you personally like.