Just because you can’t pronounce the name of a beer doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it. This week we decided to push the limits of our spell checker and give Douchesse De Bourgogne a taste. Brewed by the equally difficult to pronounce Brouwerij Verhaeghe, this beer falls into the Flanders Red Ale style of beer. The Belgium style ale is known for its reddish coloring, sour and tart flavoring, and barrel aging.
Appearance
Douchesse pours a deep amber color with a reddish copper hue. A finger and a half head forms but quickly dissipates leaving a very light lacing.
Smell
The sour notes are immediately noticed bringing to mind green apples, cherries, and pears. An earthiness tiptoes in the background as do yeasty notes. Hops are noticeably absent as is any sign of the 6.2% ABV.
Taste
Sweet and sour on the first sip; the drinker is reminded of apple cider. The beer has some acidic notes that mirror those of red wine. What little bitterness there is can only be detected if searching hard for it.
Mouthfeel
Unlike its name, this beer is not a mouthful. Light bodied and well carbonated, the beer is smooth and easy drinking.
Drinkability
Complex flavors dance in the mouth for an instant and then are gone keeping the drinking lifting his or her glass repeatedly. One can’t help but think of a hard pear cider. The unique flavor profile is great for a summer day and could be a nice change of pace for the usual session beer. Overall grade for Douchesse De Bourgogne: B
Douchesse De Bourgogne
Up next on Tuesday Tastings: Fuller’s ESB