Vichtenaar Flemish Ale. 11.2oz bottle purchased for $5 locally. Best before '19-01-09', whatever that means. Tasted side-by-side Duchesse de Bourgogne. Served in Duchesse goblets.

Same color (very slightly a darker red-brown) and head as Duchesse, only with serious sediment that I didn't expect out of a Flanders Red. Doesn't lace as well. 3.5

Smells sour (vinegar) and a bit funky (flooded basement). Alcohol is apparent in the nose. Some alkaline metal and a tart and infected cherry/molded raspberry fruit note. 3.5

Soft fruity flavors of cherry, currant, and even peach or other stone fruits. Less acetic acidity than expected where it's more on the front half, and the finish is tinny malts, funky yeast, and light alcohol burn. The oak is a stale char woody character that's its own separate entity. Not as fruity as Duchesse, nor as balanced. Probably tainted from the nuttiness of the bottle yeast. 4.0

Feels alright. Not as soft and smooth as Duchesse. A little thinner with light, but satisfiable, carbonation. 4.0

Wanted to have tasted this Flanders Red for awhile. I'll know to decant next time. A tasty and almost fulfilling example. Certainly worth a revisit. 4.0