BFM Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien 2018 Barrel-Aged Sour Ale | Switzerland

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

4.2Untappd

The Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien (2018) from Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes pours a deep, hazy mahogany-amber with glowing ruby highlights and virtually no head — a telltale sign of the still, wine-like character this legendary Swiss sour ale has cultivated over twelve months in old wine oak barrels. The nose is arrestingly complex: vinous red fruit, tart cherry, dried fig, and balsamic vinegar weave together with a whisper of earthy oak and wild farmhouse funk. On the palate, the mouthfeel is medium-bodied and remarkably smooth for 11% ABV, with restrained carbonation lending a near-silky texture.

Flavours of sour cherry, dark grape, caramel, and toasted oak unfold in sequence, underpinned by a bright but measured lactic acidity and subtle spice notes of pepper and cinnamon. The finish is long, dry, and decisively tart, with lingering notes of oak tannin and dark fruit. A world-class sour that rewards patience — bottles of this 2018 vintage are known to develop even greater complexity with extended cellaring, making it one of the finest long-term investments in European wild ale. Explore more on [Untappd](https://untappd.com/b/brasserie-des-franches-montagnes-bfm-abbaye-de-saint-bon-chien-2018/2946234).

Food Pairing

The BFM Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien 2018 sour ale pairs magnificently with duck breast à l’orange, where its balsamic acidity cuts through rich poultry fat and amplifies fruit-forward pan sauces. Equally compelling alongside an aged Comté or Gruyère cheese board — the nutty, crystalline texture of the cheese harmonises with the beer’s wine oak character and wild fermentation depth.

Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes (BFM) Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien (2018)