Duchesse de Bourgogne is the other major name in Flanders red ale, brewed by Verhaeghe in Vichte since the style’s traditional home region. It is matured in oak for around 18 months and blended from young and old beer, similar to Rodenbach’s method, but the result leans sweeter and rounder, with a striking bottle label depicting Mary of Burgundy that has made it one of the most recognisable sour beers on any shelf.
Duchesse de Bourgogne at a glance
| Style | Flanders red sour ale |
| ABV | 6.2% |
| Calories | Around 195 per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Brouwerij Verhaeghe, Vichte, Belgium |
| Ingredients | Water, malt, hops, mixed yeast and Lactobacillus cultures, oak-aged |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten free | No, contains barley |
| Typical price | Around $9 to $13 for a 750ml or 330ml bottle |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Duchesse leans sweeter and rounder than Rodenbach, making it one of the gentler entry points into Flanders red.
The full review
It pours a deep mahogany-red with ruby highlights and a creamy off-white head. The aroma is black cherry, oak, balsamic and a touch of sherry, with plum and chocolate malt notes sitting just underneath.
The palate is where Duchesse separates itself from Rodenbach: sweet cherries, tart apples, vinegar and a vinous red-wine character, but with a rounder, more velvety malt sweetness that softens the acidity considerably. It reads sweeter and less puckering than most Flanders red.
This is the version to reach for if a fully dry, vinegar-forward sour ale sounds intimidating. It still delivers the tart cherry and oak complexity the style is known for, just with training wheels that make it easier to enjoy on a first try.
The friendliest on-ramp into Flanders red ale, sweeter and rounder without losing the style’s signature tartness.
- More approachable than Rodenbach for sour beer beginners
- Widely available and reasonably priced for the quality on offer
- Distinctive, recognisable branding and consistent quality
- Sweeter profile means less of the bone-dry character purists look for
- Some tasters find it verges on cloying by the end of a bottle
- Less complex than the top-tier lambic-style sours
Who it is for
First-time sour beer drinkers who want something approachable, and anyone who prefers a sweeter, rounder Flanders red to Rodenbach’s drier style.
Duchesse de Bourgogne FAQs
What does Duchesse de Bourgogne taste like?
Sweet black cherries, tart apple, balsamic vinegar and oak, with a rounder, more velvety malt sweetness than most Flanders red ale.
How strong is Duchesse de Bourgogne?
6.2% ABV.
Is Duchesse de Bourgogne sweeter than Rodenbach?
Yes, it is generally considered rounder and sweeter than Rodenbach’s Grand Cru and Classic, making it a gentler introduction to the style.
Is Duchesse de Bourgogne gluten free?
No, it is brewed from barley malt.
Who is Duchesse de Bourgogne named after?
Mary of Burgundy, the 15th-century ruler depicted on the bottle label.
Where is Duchesse de Bourgogne brewed?
In Vichte, Belgium, by Brouwerij Verhaeghe.
Where to find it
Widely stocked at craft beer retailers and many supermarkets with a decent beer selection; one of the easier sour beers on this list to find.
The verdict
Duchesse de Bourgogne is the friendliest on-ramp into Flanders red ale, trading some of the style’s driest edges for approachability without losing what makes it interesting. A solid four out of five.
