Domaine DuPage French Style Country Ale | Two Brothers Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Two Brothers Brewing Company
Illinois, United States
twobrothersbrewing.com
Style: French Bière de Garde
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.90%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
None provided.
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 1,569 | Reviews: 543
Reviews by almychristopher:
3.64/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
this beer pours a hazy orangish copper with a thin white head that recedes to a ring of lace. the nose presents a lot of esters reminding me of apples and raisins, there's also a lot of malt in the nose. I think it's a nice aroma, but I'm not sure that it fits with the style guidelines. the taste follows with a lot of sweet maltiness and fruit at the front and a rather dry finish, the hops aren't very evident in this beer. the mouthfeel is a nice medium body with ample carbonation. a very drinkable and tasty beer.
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look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
this beer pours a hazy orangish copper with a thin white head that recedes to a ring of lace. the nose presents a lot of esters reminding me of apples and raisins, there's also a lot of malt in the nose. I think it's a nice aroma, but I'm not sure that it fits with the style guidelines. the taste follows with a lot of sweet maltiness and fruit at the front and a rather dry finish, the hops aren't very evident in this beer. the mouthfeel is a nice medium body with ample carbonation. a very drinkable and tasty beer.
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More User Reviews:
3.99/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On tap at Sammy's Gourmet Burgers & Beers, served in a shaker pint (not chilled, only due to my asking for it that way).
A: Arrived in the glass a slightly cloudy deep amber, with a creamy, just off-white head. Said head left sheetlike lacing down the sides of the glass as I drank. Bubbles streamed continuously from the bottom of the beer.
S: Unfortunately, due to the location, I couldn't get much of the nose. What I was able to smell involved toast drizzled with honey as one sits amidst a freshly mown lawn.
T: Much like what I detected from the nose, actually. This reminded me of mowing grass around a beehive overflowing with honey, near a bed of fragrant flowers and an open window out of which wafts fresh baking bread. What hop presence is there does not cut into the sweetness overmuch, allowing it to star. As the beer warms, some subtle spiciness emerges, hints of coriander and cardamom.
M: Light in body and rather well carbonated, this drinks lively.
O: A rather enjoyable biere de garde, which manages to provide a decent array of hop flavors without steamrollering the malt.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On tap at Sammy's Gourmet Burgers & Beers, served in a shaker pint (not chilled, only due to my asking for it that way).
A: Arrived in the glass a slightly cloudy deep amber, with a creamy, just off-white head. Said head left sheetlike lacing down the sides of the glass as I drank. Bubbles streamed continuously from the bottom of the beer.
S: Unfortunately, due to the location, I couldn't get much of the nose. What I was able to smell involved toast drizzled with honey as one sits amidst a freshly mown lawn.
T: Much like what I detected from the nose, actually. This reminded me of mowing grass around a beehive overflowing with honey, near a bed of fragrant flowers and an open window out of which wafts fresh baking bread. What hop presence is there does not cut into the sweetness overmuch, allowing it to star. As the beer warms, some subtle spiciness emerges, hints of coriander and cardamom.
M: Light in body and rather well carbonated, this drinks lively.
O: A rather enjoyable biere de garde, which manages to provide a decent array of hop flavors without steamrollering the malt.
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4.15/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Deep amber with no head. Delicate vague nondescript odor and you could really say the same of the taste; the biggest impression this beer leaves you with is mellow. Almost no bitterness. A calm, satisfying, infinitely drinkable beer. You want to take it into the woods with a picnic basket full of cold chicken and ham sandwiches with cheese, mustard and pickles, and cherries for dessert.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Deep amber with no head. Delicate vague nondescript odor and you could really say the same of the taste; the biggest impression this beer leaves you with is mellow. Almost no bitterness. A calm, satisfying, infinitely drinkable beer. You want to take it into the woods with a picnic basket full of cold chicken and ham sandwiches with cheese, mustard and pickles, and cherries for dessert.
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4.15/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Brave stuff from a worthwhile brewery. This is an accomplished Saison that could be labeled as Fantome Hivers baby brother. It brings an mild sourness to the caramel dough nutty complexity that forms the backbone of this hazelnut amber brew. Buttery and musty with hints of grass and hay. Parties in the mouth. Medium bodied with nice light carbonation. No head. Excellent session Saison but arent they all?
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Brave stuff from a worthwhile brewery. This is an accomplished Saison that could be labeled as Fantome Hivers baby brother. It brings an mild sourness to the caramel dough nutty complexity that forms the backbone of this hazelnut amber brew. Buttery and musty with hints of grass and hay. Parties in the mouth. Medium bodied with nice light carbonation. No head. Excellent session Saison but arent they all?
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4.41/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.2/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #49 (Feb 2011):
Not a beer style ventured into by many American brewers. A crisp-looking ale, clear brassy color with a tight, tiny-bubbled lacing. Candied fruit, white chocolate, shortbread, mild spice and wildflowers blow all expectations out of the water ... a godly aroma. Dried malt character blankets the palate, a bit biscuity but more of a dried grass flavor. Fruitiness abounds with hints of pear cider, baked apples and golden raisins, with a hint of alcohol within. Bubblegum? Herbal hop flavor and a small measure of bitterness checks any sweetness that may have lingered. Super tasty, hunt this beer down and get a semi-stinky cheese to throw it at.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #49 (Feb 2011):
Not a beer style ventured into by many American brewers. A crisp-looking ale, clear brassy color with a tight, tiny-bubbled lacing. Candied fruit, white chocolate, shortbread, mild spice and wildflowers blow all expectations out of the water ... a godly aroma. Dried malt character blankets the palate, a bit biscuity but more of a dried grass flavor. Fruitiness abounds with hints of pear cider, baked apples and golden raisins, with a hint of alcohol within. Bubblegum? Herbal hop flavor and a small measure of bitterness checks any sweetness that may have lingered. Super tasty, hunt this beer down and get a semi-stinky cheese to throw it at.
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3.67/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Bought this one on a whim because it looked good and is brewed in the IL suburbs where I grew up. Pours from the bottle an opaque amber color with hints of red. No real head to speak of on my pour at least. The smell is malty with some caramel and dare I say vinegar tones coming through. I can also detect a hint of hops, but it is definetly not upfront in any way. Quite a unique smell, this being my first tasting of the biere de garde style. The first sip is interesting...almost has a sour aspect to it. Hints of caramel and grape/plum come through along with a slight hint of vinegar. On the back palate I can taste some hops, which helps bring this together nicely. It's a little much for me personally. The mouthfeel is very light and airy...with a decent amount of carbonation. As far as drinkability...I don't think I'd have too many of these in one sitting, but I may come back to it again because it's so different from everything else I have tried. Overall, it's a nice brew and I look forward to exploring more of what Two Brothers has to offer.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Bought this one on a whim because it looked good and is brewed in the IL suburbs where I grew up. Pours from the bottle an opaque amber color with hints of red. No real head to speak of on my pour at least. The smell is malty with some caramel and dare I say vinegar tones coming through. I can also detect a hint of hops, but it is definetly not upfront in any way. Quite a unique smell, this being my first tasting of the biere de garde style. The first sip is interesting...almost has a sour aspect to it. Hints of caramel and grape/plum come through along with a slight hint of vinegar. On the back palate I can taste some hops, which helps bring this together nicely. It's a little much for me personally. The mouthfeel is very light and airy...with a decent amount of carbonation. As far as drinkability...I don't think I'd have too many of these in one sitting, but I may come back to it again because it's so different from everything else I have tried. Overall, it's a nice brew and I look forward to exploring more of what Two Brothers has to offer.
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4.75/5 rDev +24.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Enjoyed this brew at a Barbeque place in Topeka Illinoes during an overnight stay.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Enjoyed this brew at a Barbeque place in Topeka Illinoes during an overnight stay.
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4/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Best by 9/18/11 consumed 8/13/11
A - Pours a clear light amber with one finger of quickly dissipating head. Very little lacing left behind.
S - caramel malts and apples, with a bit of apple cider.
T - quite a bit of fruit in the taste, but also a nice earthiness. Again fruit is mostly apple but some dark dried fruits as well.
Nice earthy dry finish. Malts are both caramel and biscuit. Some nice spicing as well.
M - Medium mouthfeel, slightly sticky.
O - overall a very nice beer. Seems like every beer that I have had in this style is quite different, so I have no idea how well this fits the style, but his is a nice easy drinking brew.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Best by 9/18/11 consumed 8/13/11
A - Pours a clear light amber with one finger of quickly dissipating head. Very little lacing left behind.
S - caramel malts and apples, with a bit of apple cider.
T - quite a bit of fruit in the taste, but also a nice earthiness. Again fruit is mostly apple but some dark dried fruits as well.
Nice earthy dry finish. Malts are both caramel and biscuit. Some nice spicing as well.
M - Medium mouthfeel, slightly sticky.
O - overall a very nice beer. Seems like every beer that I have had in this style is quite different, so I have no idea how well this fits the style, but his is a nice easy drinking brew.
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3.88/5 rDev +1.8%
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.
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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.
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4.1/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle with "best by" date on the label. Pours a slightly hazed, deep red amber body with a small beige head that retains very well. Lots of patchy lacing on the glass.
Aroma is toasted caramel, spicy and floral hops, and a McIntosh apple note. Very nice.
Mouthfeel is solid medium with a zesty carbonation.
Taste is dominated by a caramel malt sweetness that is accented by a red apple cider presence. Spicy hops bitterness is solid and adds a pleasant balance. Very tasty!
Very well crafted and very tasty. "Brasserie Des Deux Freres" on the label adds a quirky French touch.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle with "best by" date on the label. Pours a slightly hazed, deep red amber body with a small beige head that retains very well. Lots of patchy lacing on the glass.
Aroma is toasted caramel, spicy and floral hops, and a McIntosh apple note. Very nice.
Mouthfeel is solid medium with a zesty carbonation.
Taste is dominated by a caramel malt sweetness that is accented by a red apple cider presence. Spicy hops bitterness is solid and adds a pleasant balance. Very tasty!
Very well crafted and very tasty. "Brasserie Des Deux Freres" on the label adds a quirky French touch.
595 characters
3.97/5 rDev +4.2%
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.
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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.
420 characters
3.88/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: medium carbonation, small head, clear, light amber
Smell: malt, grass, alcohol, and apple
Taste: malt, sour bitter apple, pine, hops, small bit of an alcohol taste
Mouthfeel: sour, bitter, medium bodied, can feel the carbonation
Drinkability: In looking at the guidelines, this one meets the style fairly well. I am not sure if I would have another one, but I can see this being sessionable for someone who likes the style.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: medium carbonation, small head, clear, light amber
Smell: malt, grass, alcohol, and apple
Taste: malt, sour bitter apple, pine, hops, small bit of an alcohol taste
Mouthfeel: sour, bitter, medium bodied, can feel the carbonation
Drinkability: In looking at the guidelines, this one meets the style fairly well. I am not sure if I would have another one, but I can see this being sessionable for someone who likes the style.
439 characters
Domaine DuPage French Style Country Ale from Two Brothers Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.81 out of
5 with
1,569 ratings
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