About This Beer
Bourgogne De Flandres Bruin Flanders Red Ale 33cl 5% is a traditional Belgian red-brown ale produced by Bourgogne des Flandres in Bruges, Belgium. This distinctive mixed-fermentation beer combines a top-fermented brown ale with mature lambic, creating a carefully balanced combination of malt sweetness, fruity acidity and subtle oak character.
Often associated with the traditional red and brown ales of West Flanders, Bourgogne des Flandres offers an interesting interpretation of the style through its distinctive blending process.
Rather than relying on a single fermentation method, the brewery brings together two separate beers, each contributing different characteristics to the finished blend.
The brown ale is produced using conventional top fermentation, which gives it a rounded malt profile with notes of caramel, toasted grain and gentle sweetness.
The second component is lambic, a traditional Belgian beer produced through spontaneous fermentation.
Lambic develops its distinctive acidity and complexity through fermentation involving naturally occurring microorganisms, followed by maturation.
For Bourgogne des Flandres, the lambic comes from Timmermans, a historic Belgian lambic brewery that shares a connection with Bourgogne des Flandres through the Anthony Martin group.
The brewery blends its Den Os brown ale with the matured Timmermans lambic to create a beer that balances the richness of the brown ale with the acidity and complexity of the lambic.
This process produces a flavour profile quite different from a conventional Belgian Dubbel or brown ale.
Bourgogne des Flandres pours a deep reddish-brown colour with ruby reflections and a creamy ivory head.
Its aroma combines macerated red fruit, dried fruit and subtle wild fermentation notes, complemented by the woody character associated with oak-aged lambic.
The flavour begins with a rounded malt sweetness, followed by red fruit notes and a gentle acidity that refreshes the palate.
The balance is particularly important. Bourgogne des Flandres is not intended to be an intensely sharp or aggressively sour beer.
Instead, it offers a harmonious combination of sweetness, acidity and oak character, making it approachable for customers who are curious about traditional Belgian sour beer.
At 5% ABV, it is also considerably lighter in strength than many Belgian speciality ales, making it suitable for enjoying alongside food.
For customers looking to buy Belgian sour beer online in Ireland, Bourgogne des Flandres is an excellent introduction to mixed-fermentation brewing.
Explore more traditional sour styles in our Sour & Lambic Beer collection.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Deep reddish-brown with ruby highlights and a creamy, persistent ivory head.
Aroma: Macerated red fruits, dried fruit, subtle wild fermentation notes and gentle oak.
Taste: Rounded caramel malt sweetness balanced by delicate red fruit flavours, refreshing acidity and subtle woody complexity.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, velvety and medium-bodied, with a creamy texture and gently refreshing tartness.
About the Brewery
Bourgogne des Flandres is a historic Belgian beer brand with roots in the brewing traditions of Bruges.
Its heritage is closely associated with the Van Houtryve family, whose brewing history in the region dates back to 1765.
The family's involvement in brewing began with a farm brewery in Loppem, before the establishment of the Den Os brewery in 1825.
By the early twentieth century, Bourgogne des Flandres had developed into a distinctive red-brown beer associated with the brewing traditions of West Flanders.
The original brewery eventually closed in 1957, but the beer and its brewing heritage survived.
In 2015, Bourgogne des Flandres returned to Bruges with a brewery located in the historic city centre, reconnecting the beer with its original home.
Today, the brewery is situated on Wollestraat, close to the canals and historic landmarks for which Bruges is famous.
Visitors can explore the brewery and learn about its distinctive approach to blending brown ale with lambic.
The brewery's Den Os brown ale is an essential part of the Bourgogne des Flandres recipe.
Produced using top fermentation, it provides the malt sweetness and rounded character that form the foundation of the finished beer.
The second component comes from Timmermans, a historic lambic brewery whose spontaneously fermented beer adds acidity, fruit complexity and the influence of oak maturation.
By combining these two traditions, Bourgogne des Flandres creates a beer that reflects both the rich malt character of Belgian brown ale and the refreshing acidity of lambic.
The result is a distinctive expression of Flemish brewing heritage, with a flavour profile that is both traditional and approachable.
This makes Bourgogne des Flandres particularly interesting for customers exploring Belgian beers beyond familiar styles such as Witbier, Dubbel and Tripel.
Discover more traditional Belgian brewing styles in our Belgian & Trappist Beer collection.
Food Pairings
Bourgogne des Flandres is an excellent beer for food pairing because its combination of malt sweetness, gentle acidity and subtle oak character works with a wide range of savoury dishes.
Roast pork is a particularly natural match. The caramel malt notes complement the roasted flavours of the meat, while the beer's acidity helps balance the richness.
Slow-cooked beef is another excellent choice, especially dishes such as beef bourguignon, braised short ribs or beef cheeks.
The beer's wine-like character works particularly well with rich sauces, while its acidity provides a refreshing contrast to the meat.
Roast duck is another appealing pairing, particularly when served with red cabbage or a fruit-based sauce.
The beer's red fruit notes complement the richness of the duck, while the subtle tartness helps cleanse the palate.
For a more casual pairing, try Bourgogne des Flandres alongside a selection of charcuterie, pâté or cured meats.
Its malt sweetness balances salty and savoury flavours, while the lambic acidity provides freshness.
Cheese is another excellent option.
Mature Gouda and aged cheddar complement the beer's caramel malt character, while creamy Brie or Camembert provides a softer contrast.
Blue cheese offers a particularly interesting pairing, with the beer's sweetness balancing the saltiness of the cheese.
For dessert, try an apple tart, fruit crumble or a dark chocolate dessert.
The beer's gentle acidity and fruit notes can complement desserts without making the pairing excessively sweet.
Serve Bourgogne des Flandres at approximately 8–12°C in a tulip glass to allow its malt, fruit and oak aromas to develop.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Bourgogne des Flandres, explore our Sour & Lambic Beer collection for more traditional Belgian sour ales and mixed-fermentation beers.
For a wider introduction to Belgian brewing, browse our Belgian & Trappist Beer collection.
You can also discover more beers listed within our Bourgogne des Flandres range, including other traditional Belgian red and sour ales.
If you enjoy the malt character of Bourgogne des Flandres but prefer beers without lambic acidity, explore our Red & Brown Ale collection for a selection of malt-led ales.
The combination of traditional brown ale and mature lambic makes Bourgogne des Flandres particularly distinctive, offering an accessible introduction to the complexity of Belgian mixed-fermentation brewing.
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