About This Beer
Bourgogne Des Flanders Blond 33cl 5.5% is a Belgian mixed-fermentation blonde ale produced by Bourgogne des Flandres in the historic city of Bruges. Combining a traditional top-fermented blonde beer with young lambic, it offers a distinctive balance of golden malt sweetness, bright citrus flavours and gentle acidity.
While Belgian blonde ales are often recognised for their fruity yeast character and rounded malt profile, Bourgogne des Flandres Blond takes a different approach by incorporating lambic into the finished beer.
The brewery blends its Blonden Os blonde ale with young lambic from Timmermans, bringing together two established Belgian brewing traditions.
Blonden Os is a top-fermented beer with a rounded malt character. It provides the body and gentle sweetness that form the foundation of Bourgogne des Flandres Blond.
The lambic contributes a subtle sourness and additional fermentation complexity, lifting the malt flavours and creating a refreshing contrast.
This blending process is central to the beer's identity.
Rather than producing an aggressively sour blonde beer, the brewery aims for balance. The result is a beer that remains approachable and refreshing while offering more complexity than a conventional golden ale.
Bourgogne des Flandres Blond pours a luminous golden colour with a fine, delicate white head.
The aroma is particularly expressive, with orange and fresh citrus taking the lead. Gentle wheat sweetness complements the fruit character, while the lambic contributes a light acidic edge.
On the palate, rounded barley malt flavours provide a soft foundation for bright orange notes. Hints of honey, pepper and chestnut introduce additional complexity, creating a flavour profile that is fruity, gently spicy and refreshingly tart.
At 5.5% ABV, the beer has enough character to be enjoyed slowly while remaining suitable for a relaxed meal or social occasion.
Its balance of sweetness and acidity makes it particularly appealing to drinkers who enjoy Belgian blonde ales but want to explore the influence of spontaneous fermentation.
For customers familiar with the original Bourgogne des Flandres Bruin, the Blond offers an interesting comparison.
Both beers combine a top-fermented ale with lambic, but the Blond emphasises golden malt, citrus and gentle spice rather than the deeper caramel and red fruit character of the Bruin.
This makes it an excellent choice for exploring the different ways Belgian breweries use blending to create distinctive beers.
If you're looking to buy Belgian blonde beer online in Ireland, Bourgogne des Flandres Blond offers something beyond the usual examples of the style.
Explore our Belgian Blonde Ale collection for more golden Belgian beers, or discover traditional mixed-fermentation styles in our Sour & Lambic Beer range.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Bright golden blonde with a fine, light white head.
Aroma: Fresh orange and citrus, gentle wheat sweetness and a subtle hint of lambic acidity.
Taste: Rounded barley malt and honey-like sweetness balanced by lively orange flavours, gentle tartness and delicate pepper and chestnut notes.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and moderately rounded, with refreshing carbonation and a light acidic lift.
About the Brewery
Bourgogne des Flandres is a historic Belgian beer brand with roots in the brewing heritage of Bruges.
Its history is closely connected to the Van Houtryve family, whose brewing tradition dates back to 1765.
The family established a reputation for brewing in the Bruges region, eventually operating several breweries and producing beers that became closely associated with the city.
One of the most important names in this history is Den Os, the brewery whose heritage continues to influence Bourgogne des Flandres today.
Although the original family brewery closed in 1957, its brewing traditions and recipes survived.
The Bourgogne des Flandres brand subsequently became associated with Timmermans, the historic lambic brewery located near Brussels.
This connection is particularly important because lambic plays a central role in the production of Bourgogne des Flandres beers.
Unlike conventional ales, lambic undergoes spontaneous fermentation, developing its distinctive acidity and complex fermentation character through the activity of naturally occurring microorganisms.
By blending lambic with top-fermented beer, Bourgogne des Flandres creates beers that combine the familiar richness of Belgian ale with the refreshing character of spontaneous fermentation.
In 2015, brewing returned to the heart of Bruges with the opening of the Bourgogne des Flandres brewery near the site of the original Den Os brewery.
Today, visitors can explore the brewery on Wollestraat, close to the city's famous canals and historic landmarks.
The brewery produces several distinctive beers, including its traditional red-brown Bourgogne des Flandres and the lighter Blond expression.
The Blond is particularly interesting because it uses the same blending philosophy as the classic red-brown beer but creates a very different flavour profile.
Its combination of Blonden Os and Timmermans lambic demonstrates how Belgian brewing traditions can produce both rich, malt-led beers and lighter, citrus-forward expressions.
For customers interested in exploring the history and diversity of Belgian beer, Bourgogne des Flandres offers a distinctive introduction to the brewing traditions of Bruges.
Discover more traditional styles in our Belgian & Trappist Beer collection.
Food Pairings
Bourgogne des Flandres Blond is an excellent beer for food pairing because its citrus character, gentle malt sweetness and refreshing acidity complement a wide variety of dishes.
Seafood is a particularly natural match.
Grilled prawns, white fish or mussels work well with the beer's bright citrus flavours, while the light acidity provides a refreshing contrast to richer sauces.
Belgian-style mussels with garlic, herbs and white wine are an especially appealing pairing, allowing the beer's orange and citrus notes to complement the seafood.
Roast chicken is another excellent option, particularly when seasoned with lemon, thyme or rosemary.
The beer's malt sweetness complements the roasted flavours, while its acidity helps balance the richness of the skin.
For cheese, try creamy Brie, Camembert or fresh goat's cheese.
The gentle tartness of the beer works particularly well with soft cheeses, while its citrus character provides a fresh contrast to their richness.
Mildly spiced dishes are another interesting option.
Chicken with coriander and citrus, lightly spiced vegetable dishes or a mild Thai-style curry can work well with the beer's orange and pepper notes.
For a more traditional Belgian pairing, try chicken waterzooi, a creamy Flemish stew made with chicken, vegetables and herbs.
The beer's refreshing acidity helps balance the creamy sauce, while its malt character complements the savoury flavours.
For a lighter meal, Bourgogne des Flandres Blond works well with salads featuring citrus dressing, roasted vegetables or soft cheese.
It can also accompany a simple cheese and charcuterie board, particularly when served with fresh bread and mild pickles.
Serve chilled, around 6–8°C, in a tulip glass to appreciate its bright citrus aromas and refreshing mixed-fermentation character.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Bourgogne des Flandres Blond, explore our Belgian Blonde Ale collection for more golden Belgian beers with distinctive malt and fermentation character.
For customers interested in the influence of lambic, our Sour & Lambic Beer collection offers a wider introduction to Belgian sour and spontaneously fermented styles.
You can also browse our Bourgogne des Flandres range to discover the brewery's traditional Bruin and other related beers.
The original Bourgogne des Flandres Bruin 5% is a particularly interesting comparison, using brown ale and lambic to create a darker, maltier beer with red fruit and caramel character.
For a wider selection of Belgian brewing traditions, explore our Belgian & Trappist Beer collection.
Shop the best of craft beer Ireland and from around the world online with TheCru.ie or in our Dublin craft beer store, Carry Out Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15.