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Caractère Rouge

Brouwerij Verhaeghe Vichte
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🌍 Belgium · Fruited Flanders Red Ale · One of 2 Fruited Flanders Red Ales in hopIQ

Caractère Rouge is a strong, oak-aged Flemish red ale finished with a natural addition of red fruit. It pours a deep ruby-red under a firm pink-tinged head. The nose brings ripe cherry, redcurrant and a whisper of oak, over a caramel malt base. The palate is complex and vinous, with tart red berry, sweet cherry and a warming alcohol note, before oak, light spice and a firm sourness carry the finish long and dry.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Mild
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber15
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Dry and crisp.

A direct pour that closes clean — trim and sharp, working together to keep things moving.

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

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best Belgian Sours

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Caractère Rouge

Appearance

Caractère Rouge presents a deep ruby-red hue, translucent and luminous when held to light. The head is substantial and firm, with a distinctive pink-tinged foam that clings to the glass walls, leaving persistent lacing as you drink. Carbonation is moderate, appropriate to the style's vinous character.

deep ruby-redfirm pink headgood lacing

Aroma

The nose reveals a layered composition of ripe cherry and redcurrant, underpinned by a soft oak presence that speaks to patient aging in wood. A caramel malt base provides sweetness and structure, while subtle wood spice adds complexity without dominating. The overall impression is vinous and inviting, with fruit-forward character.

ripe cherryoak agingcaramel maltredcurrant

Taste

The palate opens with tart red berry and bright cherry notes, balanced against warming alcohol that declares the beer's strength. Mid-palate brings structured sourness and oak influence, with light spice notes adding dimension. The complexity builds steadily, each element supporting rather than overwhelming the others.

tart red berriessour characteroak influencewarming alcohol

Finish

The finish extends long and dry, with firm acidity and oak tannins carrying through the aftertaste. A lingering cherry note and subtle spice fade gradually, leaving the palate clean and refreshed.

dry finishlingering acidity
87
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
87
Appearance
85
Finish
86
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Caractère 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 Caractère Rouge

About Fruited Flanders Red Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Fruited Flanders Red Ale?

Fruited 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 Fruited Flanders Red Ale

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

Other Fruited Flanders Red Ales in hopIQ

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