Timmermans Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune 4Pk

Timmermans Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune 4PK is a Belgian brown ale blended with oak-aged lambic at approximately 5% ABV, sold as a four-pack of 330ml bottles. Awarded three stars by the International Taste & Quality Institute's Superior Taste Award in 2009, this distinctive Flemish blend stands apart through its marriage of two fundamentally different brewing traditions in a single glass.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~5%  |  Origin: Flemish Brabant, Belgium  |  Style: Lambic-Blended Brown Ale  |  Brewery: Timmermans

Production & Heritage

Timmermans Brewery, located in Itterbeek within the municipality of Dilbeek in Flemish Brabant, is one of Belgium's oldest lambic producers. Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune is produced using a technique sometimes called "lambic infusion" — a top-fermented brown ale is blended with spontaneously fermented lambic that has been aged two to three years in oak casks. The resulting blend then matures for an additional six months in oak before bottling, producing a layered complexity that neither the brown ale nor the lambic could achieve alone. The grain bill includes barley malt, wheat, corn, roasted barley, and sugar, with hops added in the traditional Belgian fashion.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dried red fruit and caramel malt rise first, followed by subtle oak tannins and a faint vinous quality reminiscent of port wine. Beneath these, traces of tamarind and candied apple add an intriguing depth.

Taste: The entry is deceptively smooth, with rich caramel malt sweetness and dried cherry hitting the palate immediately. At mid-palate, the lambic character emerges — a gentle acidity weaving through notes of fig, raisin, and dark chocolate. The peak balances sweet and sour in near-equal measure, with grape skin and cola-like spice adding further dimension.

Finish: Medium in length with a gently tart close that keeps the sweetness honest. Lingering impressions of plum, treacle, and toasted oak fade gradually without bitterness.

How to Drink Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune

Pour into a tulip glass or Belgian goblet at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to fully appreciate the aromatic complexity. Drinking it straight allows the interplay between the brown ale body and lambic acidity to unfold naturally. For a Flanders Spritz, combine with a splash of sparkling water and a twist of orange peel for a refreshing aperitif. A Brune Shandy works surprisingly well — mix half-and-half with tart cherry lemonade for a summer session drink. It also functions beautifully in a Beer Cocktail Float, poured slowly over a scoop of vanilla gelato for an indulgent Belgian-style dessert pairing.

Best For

• Introducing curious drinkers to the world of sour and blended Belgian ales
• Pairing alongside a charcuterie board at a dinner gathering
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast exploring Flemish brewing traditions
• Serving as a conversation-starting aperitif before a rich meal

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune taste like? It delivers rich caramel malt sweetness balanced by gentle tartness from the lambic component, with prominent notes of dried cherry, fig, dark chocolate, and subtle oak. The overall impression is wine-like and complex, yet accessible and smooth.

How does Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune compare to Duchesse de Bourgogne? Both are Flemish sour-adjacent ales, but Duchesse de Bourgogne leans more heavily into sharp acidity and red wine vinegar character as a classic Flanders Red Ale. Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune is generally milder in sourness, with its brown ale base contributing more malt sweetness and body to the blend.

Is Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune good for beginners exploring sour beer? Yes — its restrained tartness and prominent malt sweetness make it one of the more approachable entries into the world of lambic-influenced Belgian ales. Drinkers accustomed to brown ales or dubbels will find familiar ground here before the gentle sour notes appear.

Where is Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune made? It is brewed at Timmermans Brewery in Itterbeek, located in the municipality of Dilbeek within the Flemish Brabant province of Belgium. This region sits in the Senne River valley, historically central to spontaneous lambic fermentation due to its wild yeast populations.

What foods pair well with Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune? Aged Gouda or Gruyère complement the caramel malt character. Duck confit echoes the beer's richness while the acidity cuts through the fat. Carbonnade flamande (Flemish beef stew) is a classic regional pairing. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the cocoa notes in the finish. Roasted beet salad with goat cheese highlights the beer's red fruit and tangy side.

What sizes does Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune come in? This product is sold as a four-pack of 330ml (11.2 oz) bottles, the standard format for Belgian ales of this style.

Is Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune worth the price? It positions as a mid-range craft Belgian ale, and the dual-aging process involving years-old lambic and additional oak maturation represents genuine production investment. For drinkers seeking an introduction to Flemish blended ales without committing to a single large-format bottle, the four-pack offers solid value and room to share.

Why Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune?

The defining feature of this beer is its production method — very few breweries blend a fresh top-fermented brown ale with lambic aged two to three years in oak, then return that blend to oak for six more months of maturation. This layered process creates a depth of flavor that standard brown ales or straightforward sours simply cannot replicate. The three-star Superior Taste Award from the International Taste & Quality Institute and a bronze medal at the 2012 Brussels Beer Challenge confirm that the complexity here is not accidental. For drinkers who find pure lambics too challenging or traditional brown ales too one-dimensional, Bourgogne Des Flandres Brune occupies a rare and rewarding middle ground.