Meaning the ‘Duchesse of Burgundy’, this beer is recognized as THE regional ale; the benchmark for all beers of that style. Flemish Red Ales are colloquially known as ‘sweet and sours’, or more stylishly described as the ‘Burgundies of Belgium’.
It is made with roasted malts and low bitterness hops. After initial fermentation, the beer is aged in oak barrels. The final beer is a blend of beers aged for 8 and 18 months.
The Duchesse pours ruby red, and the aroma jumps out of the glass. Balsamic vinegar, over-ripe cherries, and sweet caramel malt.
The beer is intended to be consumed at 8-12 degrees, so allow it to warm a little to open up and develop to its full potential. It is a sipper – just like a big red wine.
There is initial fruit sweetness, which is enveloped by the sour vinegar nature. The flavour intriguingly swaps between these two profiles. It is a divisive beer that many will absolutely love, and others will find hard to swallow. There isn’t usually an in between with this style, but it is a staple Belgium style, so one that should be experienced at least.
This is a mixed fermentation ale aged in oak barrels for one year
Verhaeghe's Duchesse with 20kg of sour Limburg cherries added per 100 litres of beer
Verhaeghe's famous Duchesse De Bourgogne with the addition of sour cherries and chocolate essence
A delicious blend of two Petrus beers used to create this traditional Flanders Red ale
by Brouwerij Rodenbach (Palm Breweries)
The tribute beer to Alexander Rodenbach, reintroduced in 2016, 30 years after it was first created
by Brouwerij Rodenbach (Palm Breweries)
A Flemish Red Ale featuring 67% aged beer and 33% young beer
A typical Flanders Red Ale from this seventh-generation family brewery
The original flanders oud bruin from the old family brewery Verhaeghe, this is an unblended cask aged beer
A Belgian Export Porter from a brewery more known for their Flemish sour ales
A fruit beer featuring sweet cherries from the family Brouwerij Verhaeghe
Verhaeghe's Duchesse with 20kg of sour Limburg cherries added per 100 litres of beer
Verhaeghe's famous Duchesse De Bourgogne with the addition of sour cherries and chocolate essence
A flemish mixed fermentation ale with northern sour cherries added during the barrel maturation
Verhaeghe's special Christmas beer is a blonde ale with wheat and spices
The original flanders oud bruin from the old family brewery Verhaeghe, this is an unblended cask aged beer
