Cherry Chouffe 4Pk

Cherry Chouffe 4Pk is a Belgian cherry ale brewed at 8.0% ABV, sold as a four-pack of 330ml bottles. Winner of a Bronze medal at the 2019 World Beer Awards in the "World's Best Flavoured Fruit & Vegetable" category, this fruit beer stands apart from traditional kriek lambics by building its cherry character on a robust brown ale base rather than spontaneously fermented wort.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.0%  |  Origin: Wibrin, Belgian Ardennes, Belgium  |  Style: Belgian Cherry Ale  |  Brewery: Brasserie D'Achouffe

Production & Heritage

Brasserie D'Achouffe is located in the village of Wibrin in the Belgian Ardennes, a region known for its rolling hills and artisanal brewing traditions. Cherry Chouffe uses McChouffe — the brewery's Belgian dark strong ale — as its base, with 12% sour cherries incorporated during production. The ingredient list also includes barley malt, inverted sugar, hops, and black carrot concentrate for its distinctive ruby color. Unlike classic Belgian kriek, which relies on spontaneous fermentation with whole cherries in lambic, Cherry Chouffe takes a different path, delivering cherry intensity through a stronger, maltier foundation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe sour cherry dominates immediately, followed by layers of strawberry, almond, and warm spice. There is a port-like richness underneath that hints at the beer's 8% strength.

Taste: The entry is sweet and fruit-forward, with tart cherry flooding the palate. At mid-palate, the McChouffe brown ale base emerges with soft malt sweetness that balances the acidity. The overall impression is round-bodied, delicate, and well-integrated — neither cloyingly sweet nor aggressively sour.

Finish: Medium in length with a very slight bitterness that keeps the sweetness in check. Lingering cherry and a faint spice note close things out cleanly.

How to Drink Cherry Chouffe

Serve chilled in a tulip glass to concentrate the cherry aromatics and allow the carbonation to open up. At 8% ABV, this drinks more like a wine-strength ale, so moderate pacing is recommended.

• Cherry Beer Spritz: Combine with a splash of sparkling water and a lemon twist for a lighter, effervescent warm-weather drink.
• Belgian Shandy: Mix half-and-half with a crisp pilsner to temper the sweetness and lower the ABV for a sessionable option.
• Cherry Chouffe Float: Pour over a scoop of vanilla ice cream — the tart cherry and creamy sweetness pair naturally.

Best For

• Introducing craft beer drinkers to Belgian fruit ales without the complexity of lambics
• Dessert course pairing at a dinner party
• Gifting to someone who enjoys fruit-forward, wine-strength Belgian beers
• Summer evening sipping as an alternative to rosé or cider

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cherry Chouffe taste like? Cherry Chouffe delivers a well-balanced mix of tart sour cherry and sweet malt, with a round body and very slight bitterness on the finish. The cherry flavor is the clear star, supported by subtle notes of almond, strawberry, and warm spice.

How does Cherry Chouffe compare to Lindemans Framboise? Lindemans Framboise is a lambic-based raspberry beer at a lower ABV (around 2.5%), making it lighter and more overtly sweet. Cherry Chouffe uses a stronger brown ale base at 8% ABV, resulting in a fuller body, more malt complexity, and a tart cherry profile rather than raspberry sweetness.

Is Cherry Chouffe good for beginners? Yes — its accessible sweet-tart cherry flavor and smooth body make it a welcoming entry point for drinkers who find traditional lambics or sour ales too intense or funky.

Where is Cherry Chouffe made? Cherry Chouffe is brewed by Brasserie D'Achouffe in Wibrin, a small village in the Belgian Ardennes region of southern Belgium.

What foods pair well with Cherry Chouffe? Dark chocolate desserts complement the cherry and malt sweetness. Aged gouda or brie allow the fruit character to shine alongside creamy, savory flavors. Roast duck or pork with cherry glaze echoes the beer's core fruit note. Fresh berry tarts or cheesecake mirror its sweet-tart balance.

What sizes does Cherry Chouffe come in? This listing is a four-pack of 330ml bottles, which is the standard format for Cherry Chouffe in most markets.

Is Cherry Chouffe worth the price? Cherry Chouffe positions as a premium Belgian fruit ale with genuine sour cherry content and a high 8% ABV. Its Bronze medal at the 2019 World Beer Awards and an 88 rating on BeerAdvocate support its standing as a quality option in the Belgian fruit beer category.

Why Cherry Chouffe?

Cherry Chouffe occupies a distinctive niche — it is not a traditional kriek lambic, nor is it a simple flavored lager with cherry syrup. Its foundation on McChouffe, a respected Belgian dark strong ale, gives it a malt backbone and body that most fruit beers lack. The 12% sour cherry content delivers authentic fruit character with genuine tartness, and the 8% ABV puts it firmly in sipping territory. For drinkers who want real cherry flavor with Belgian brewing depth, this four-pack represents one of the more distinctive fruit ales available.