Reports suggest that this beer is just a re-branded version of Echt Krienenbier coincidently recently reviewed. As such, these notes are on essentially a fresh version of that beer.

11.2 oz single from Gays, Angola, IN. Odd find in a weird place.

Pour as expected with some fizzy carbonation that dissipates immediately. Classic, dirty burgundy, clouded pour. I know what this is, but no matter how you look at it the beer isn’t exactly a looker.

Nose gives not much more than some generic, fruity acidity.

Temperature is a big factor here. As it warms gently in the glass the sweetness comes through more and more, taking the edge off the ethanoic acid base of the original Duchesse. In that regard it’s really quite gentle on the palate The fruit is tasty and prominent but not especially cherry based; it’s almost more like a generic fruit punch with some apple. Very little drying oak or wood here to speak of, and that’s a noticeable absence.

Given what I know about Duchesse, I’m surprised at how sweet it is.

Easy drinking at the right temperature, not cloying or medicinal, and a quite surprising change of pace from Duchesse. Much preferred the aged version noted above.