Petrus Aged Red 750ML is a Belgian cherry sour ale from Brouwerij De Brabandere, bottled at 8.5% ABV in a 750ml format. This blend earned a Gold medal at the 2016 World Beer Awards in the Fruit Lambic category, cementing its reputation among serious sour ale drinkers seeking controlled complexity over one-note sweetness. Quick Facts: ABV: 8.5% | Origin: West Flanders, Belgium | Style: Flemish Cherry Sour Ale | Brewery: Brouwerij De Brabandere Production & Heritage Brouwerij De Brabandere has operated out of Bavikhove in Belgium's West Flanders province since 1894. Petrus Aged Red is a blend of 15% Petrus Aged Pale — matured for two full years in massive French oak foeders holding 220 hectoliters each — and 85% double brown ale with 10% sour cherry juice. Inside those foeders, six distinct micro-organisms slowly convert residual sugars into organic acids, esters, and additional alcohol, producing the layered sourish character that defines the Petrus sour range. The result sits firmly between a Flemish red-brown tradition and a fruit sour, with the oak-aged component providing structural acidity rather than mere tartness. Tasting Notes Aroma: Dark cherry pie filling and cooked cherries lead immediately, followed by subtle hints of cherry candy and a faintly medicinal, lozenge-like quality. A wisp of vanilla from the oak aging emerges as the beer warms in the glass. Taste: The entry is noticeably sweet, driven by ripe cherry and brown sugar from the double brown ale base. At mid-palate the malic acidity asserts itself, balancing the sweetness with a tart, almost Tootsie Pop-like cherry intensity. The oak-aged component brings depth, adding layers of tannic dryness and subtle ester complexity that prevent the fruit from becoming cloying. Finish: Medium-length and semi-dry, shifting from residual cherry sweetness into a clean, sour close. A lingering tartness and gentle tannic grip from the French oak keep the palate engaged well after each sip. How to Drink Petrus Aged Red Pour into a tulip glass or goblet at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to let the cherry and oak aromatics fully develop; this ale rewards slow, contemplative drinking. A Kriek Royale — Petrus Aged Red topped with a splash of dry sparkling wine — amplifies the effervescence and acidity for an aperitif-style serve. A Sour Cherry Shandy, combining equal parts Aged Red and lemonade over ice, makes for a refreshing warm-weather drink that softens the tartness. For a more adventurous cocktail riff, try a Flemish Flip — shaking a small measure with an egg yolk, a barspoon of honey, and a dash of bitters — which transforms the cherry-sour profile into something rich and dessert-like. Best For Introducing a craft beer enthusiast to Flemish sour ales Pairing with a cheese and charcuterie board at a dinner gathering Gifting to someone who appreciates wine-like complexity in beer Cellaring for one to two years to observe how the acidity and fruit evolve Frequently Asked Questions What does Petrus Aged Red taste like? It delivers a prominent dark cherry sweetness up front that transitions into a tart, malic acid-driven sourness, finishing semi-dry with subtle oak tannins and vanilla undertones. How does Petrus Aged Red compare to Petrus Roodbruin? Petrus Roodbruin uses a higher proportion of oak-aged pale ale (33% versus 15%) and omits the cherry juice entirely, making it drier, more vinous, and less fruit-forward. Aged Red is sweeter and more approachable due to the cherry addition and larger share of double brown ale in its blend. Is Petrus Aged Red good for sipping neat? Yes — its balanced acidity, moderate 8.5% ABV, and layered cherry-oak complexity make it an excellent standalone sipper, especially when served slightly below room temperature in a tulip glass. Where is Petrus Aged Red made? It is brewed at Brouwerij De Brabandere in Bavikhove, a village in the West Flanders province of Belgium, where the brewery has been producing beer since 1894. What foods pair well with Petrus Aged Red? Aged Gouda or Gruyère, whose nutty sweetness complements the cherry tartness; duck confit, where the acidity cuts through richness; dark chocolate desserts, which echo the ale's roasted malt undertones; pork belly with a cherry glaze, mirroring the fruit profile; and blue cheese, whose pungency contrasts beautifully with the sour-sweet balance. What sizes does Petrus Aged Red come in? The standard retail format is a 750ml bottle, and it is also available in 33cl (330ml) bottles in some markets. Is Petrus Aged Red worth the price? Petrus Aged Red positions as a mid-range Belgian sour ale, and its two-year oak-aging process and World Beer Awards Gold medal place it above most entry-level fruit sours in terms of complexity, making it strong value within the Flemish sour category. Why Petrus Aged Red? What separates this ale from the crowded field of cherry sours is the authentic Flemish method at its core: real French oak foeders harboring six active micro-organisms, not kettle-souring shortcuts or artificial flavoring. The 2016 World Beer Awards Gold medal validated what the brewery's blending approach achieves — a beer that bridges the gap between rustic Flemish tradition and accessible fruit-driven flavor. At 8.5% ABV, it carries enough weight to stand alongside wine at the dinner table, yet its tartness and effervescence keep it lively and refreshing. For anyone exploring sour ales beyond the basics, Petrus Aged Red represents an honest, well-documented entry point into oak-aged Belgian brewing.
