Verhaeghe Duchesse De Bourgogne

Brewed by Verhaeghe
Style: Sour Ale
Vichte, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

I’ve had this plenty of times, always had this ranked as one of my absolute favorite beers, but i guess my palate has changed in regards to flemish sours.. Pours a nice deep amber with a nice small off white head that has excellent retention... Cherry oaky, some apple, some pitted fruits in the aroma, a certain sweetness... First sip, and the tartness/sourness just wasnt what i remember/expect/wanted... The sweet fruitiness was there, but the sour tart kick was lacking to the point of dissappointment... Some noticeable berry aromas linger, the beer was lively, with a nice lingering finish that just did not have the sour punch i needed... Still Very Good

Deep, dark, ruby red liquid. Much like the blood of the Duchesse. One finger head of creamy tan foam. Truly excellent retention and great lacing. Smells amazing! Deep tart fruit smells. Lots of green apple and black cherries. Not quite ripened peaches. Scent of almonds/marzipan. Hints of underlying gingerbread spiciness. Slight touch of vanilla. This is such a phenomenal tasting sour (flemish red). Big cherry taste, sour and sweet, at the same time. Huge notes of green apple. Nice big presence of black currants. Nice woody/earthiness, here, also. Hints of oak and vanilla. Extremely smooth and creamy in body, like a mouthfeel of rolling fine silk. Carbonation is perfect, with tiny, tiny bubbles. This beer is so perfect. If it were Napoleon’s Army invading my mouth, my taste buds would have no choice but to surrender. I could drink this for weeks at a time and be perfectly satisfied, with no other options. Excellent!

Nose is quite sharp with caramel notes and a very strong vineousness. Pours resiny and deep deep amber with a vague head. Flavour is very palatable and quite different - a great balance of slightly sour vineousness (again) and sweetness. Finish is more of the same but develops a pleasant bitterness towards the end. Leaves you wanting more.

nice clear read body; smells of cherries and light vinegar. sour taste with clean crisp finish.

Bottle into a tulip. Pours an unclear yet charming rouge and brown that shimmers red when held to the light, all beneath a khaki head that sizzles and leaves a little foam around the glass. The aroma is yeast, dark fruits, and big sour cherries with a hint of funky barnyard and cream. The flavor is quite sour up front, which fades to a roasty middle and the finish is dry and hints of alcohol. The overall remaining flavor is a pleasant sourness. Very high carbonation, but not in a bad way.

11.2 oz. bottle from Total Wine in Norfolk (best before June 18, 2011). Reddish-brown pour with a thin off-white head. Aroma of apple cider vinegar, cherry juice, and oak. Flavor is more of balsamic vinegar than apple cider with a surprising amount of sweetness. This really isn’t that sour in my opinion. It’s a good beer but I think it’s even better with more aging, perhaps even beyond the recommended date on the bottle or cork.

Pours brown with a large tan head. The aroma is vinous with cherries, berries, and wood. The flavor is surprisingly sweet with a touch of sour. Same flavor as the aroma with maple syrup and a touch of balsamic vinegar adding to the sourness/acidity. An unusual beer, that wine lovers would probably really like.

Deep chestnut in colour this beer has stron mustard and nutmeg aromas. There is something of orange juice on the turn in there too! Sweet and nutty it has some maple syrup characteristics but these are outweighed by the rich vinous fruit and cheesy saltiness. In the finish it is very airy and mature with some walnut and toffee knocking about in there too.