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Duchess Rouge

4 Pines Brewing Company
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🌍 Australia · Flanders Red Ale · One of 11 Flanders Red Ales in hopIQ

A Flanders red ale blended from fresh American oak foeders and cabernet barrels. Wild fermentation brings sour cherry and red berry over a malt base of caramel and dark bread, with oak, vanilla and a faint leathery note from the long ageing. The acidity is moderate and rounded rather than sharp, bitterness is negligible at 10 IBU, and the finish is tart and dry with the wood holding on longest.

ABV
5.4%
Bitterness
Mild10 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber15
See all Flanders Red Ale alternatives →

AWARDS

Silver Medal · 2019
Australian International Beer Awards
Gold Medal · 2019
European Beer Star
Bronze Medal · 2020
European Beer Star
Silver Medal · 2021
Australian International Beer Awards
Bronze Medal · 2022
Australian International Beer Awards
Silver Medal — Australian International Beer Awards
Gold Medal — European Beer Star
Bronze Medal — European Beer Star
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Lean body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Crisp and mildly bitter.

Trim and gentle — the beer moves through with an unforced, easy rhythm.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Flanders Red Ale.
Malt character
caramel
bready
Fermentation & yeast
sour
tart
Distinctive notes
berry
oak
dark fruit
vanilla

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Duchess Rouge

Appearance

A deep ruby-red hue with translucent clarity, revealing the beer's time in oak and wood. The head is modest but stable, leaving delicate lacing as it recedes. Carbonation is moderate and even, befitting the style's restrained effervescence.

deep ruby-redtranslucentfine lacing

Aroma

The nose opens with tart sour cherry and red berry fruit, supported by subtle caramel maltiness and a faint leathery undertone from extended aging. Oak and vanilla emerge gently beneath, without overwhelming the fruit-forward character. The overall aromatic profile is restrained and composed, inviting closer inspection.

sour cherryoakcaramelleathery notes

Taste

The palate entry is tart and crisp, with sour cherry and mixed berry acidity cutting across a foundation of dark bread and caramel malt sweetness. Moderate acidity rounds the edges rather than sharpens them, while oak and vanilla provide backbone. Bitterness is negligible at 10 IBU, allowing the wood and fruit to dominate the mid-palate without harshness.

tart cherrydry maltrounded acidityoak backbone

Finish

The finish is tart and dry, with lingering wood character extending the experience. The acidity fades gracefully into a pleasant astringency, leaving the palate refreshed rather than fatigued.

tart aftertastelingering oak
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
85
Appearance
78
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Duchess Rouge

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Duchess Rouge

About Flanders Red Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Flanders Red Ale?

Flanders Red Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Flanders Red Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same tart, sour, dry character as Duchess Rouge will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Flanders Red Ales in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Flanders Red Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Australia beers →