A sweet and fruity beer with a pleasant, fresh oak, sour after taste.
Brewed with deep roasted barley malt and hops with a slight bitterness. After the primary fermentation and the second bearing, the beer undergoes a third fermentation of approximately 18 months in oak vats. The tannins present in the oak give the beer its fruity character. After this, the “Duchesse” is blended with younger from 8 months old. The result is a full and sweet flavour. A ruby red jewel of 6.2% which is best served between 8 and 12 degrees. A perfect beer!
Phil D –
A fairly decent beer, but relatively run of the mill amongst Belgian beers. Wouldn’t rule out buying it again, but i think there are a few others in this price bracket that I would choose first
Pukka P –
It seems people either love or hate Flemish red sour beers. Life doesn’t get much better than sipping this great ‘Burgundy of Belgium’ whilst nibbling from a plate of cheese and crackers on a leisurely Sunday afternoon.
Neil Ward –
Really like the sour tang to this but with a bit of malty sweetness to take the edge off it.
Chris H –
The Marmite of beers, this is certainly not for everyone. Not convinced I’m a huge fan of the sour beers but I can acknowledge when I get a good one, of which this is. Looks good (rugby red and a consistent head), taste wise, sour fruit notes are offset by a creeping maltiness. This grew on me.
Sam Dutton –
A favourite. but it takes a bit of getting used to. Big, sour then fruity, not for the fainthearted. The sourness nicely balanced by the malt. Complex flavours, nice colour. As someone said — great with cheese.
Jo Duncan –
Definitely a love / hate beer. If you don’t like sour, you won’t like this. As far as sour beers go, duchesse is up there with the best. Vinegar / cider vibe to the flavour. Robust and tangy.
Chris Meechan –
A classic Flanders red ale with a lovely berry tartness and sweet spiced finish. Very refreshing.
Jane Pattle –
The classic red Flanders sour beer. Beautifully balanced and complex. You will either love it or hate it. I love it probably the best and most consistent sour beer from Belgium.
Stujago –
Very intriguing beer in the way that the initial taste is vinegar but it becomes curiously moreish, developing in to a richer, more fruity experience although the sourness is always present. Not for everyone!
Chris Vanni –
A very rich beer with the combination of sour fruits and subtle chocolate. A lovely combination.