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I am not much of a beer girl – maybe a few cold ones here and there – but I’ve now met a bubbly Flemish royal that has changed how I feel about beer.
The Duchesse de Bourgogne is made by Brouwerij Verhaeghe in Belgium. It’s an astonishing Flemish red ale, unlike any beer I’ve ever tasted.
The first time I tried this at Calgary’s Belgo restaurant, the waiter poured the Duchesse into a large red wine glass. I thought that was a tad uppity, but then I realized why.
The Duchesse needs the glass to open up its aromas. It starts off almost like a balsamic vinegar, then blossoms into chocolate and passionfruit on your tongue, ending with a sour cherry finish. All that because the Duchesse is aged in oak barrels for 18 months.
I’ve never really craved a beer, but now, especially with the days getting warmer and longer, I crave the Duchesse.
I did a cursory search and the Duchesse is available in B.C. liquor stores, SAQ in Quebec, and the Kensington Wine Market in Calgary. Sorry, my Ontario friends, the LCBO hasn’t come around to the Duchesse but this Toronto restaurant carries it.
Here’s some good background about the Duchesse from someone who’s toured the brewery in Vichte, West Flanders.
Can you shotgun it?
On your recommendation I am going to give it a try.
You might also want to try Trois Pistoles by Unibroue. I think its at the Co-op liquor store.
It is a belgian style strong beer on lees (it has sediment at the bottom) It also has flavours you totally don’t expect from a beer.
My favourite Belgian is Leffe Brune. It’s very smooth, and quite tasty. I would give it a try if you can. BeerPal says this:
“Brune has a bit of a desert apple aroma. It is floral and spicy on the nose, with fresh dried fruity citrus scents being present. A deep hearty alcoholic taste that is sweetish and caramel like exists on the taste buds, with suggestions of brown sugar and ever so slight chocolate coming out.”
http://www.beerpal.com/articles/TDS-leffebrune.asp
Wow, I had no idea this whole other world of beers existed. Thanks for the recommendations guys, I’m definitely going to give them a try.
Interesting to note that Belgium was part of the Duchy of Bourgogne in the Middle Ages. Now it is limited to 4 departements. Incidentally I was born in Dijon!
As I love red ale, I’d certainly love to sample it!
I wonder if I can find it in Japan, though.
Cheers,
Robert-Gilles
This is one of my favourite beers — I have a friend who’s a huge Belgian beer drinker and I tried it as his place and was astonished. So good. Not quite as amazing, but still good: Traquair House Ale: http://www.traquair.co.uk/breweryales.html I believe this is a Belgian-influenced Scottish brewery.
I bought this beer on a whim and I really didn’t like it. I couldn’t even finish it. On the other hand, I had Trois Pistoles (mentioned above) at a friend’s house and thought it was excellent.