     Chimay Grande Réserve - 1998 Vintage (Bières de Chimay)
Donald, the headbrewer, at the Northampton Brewery gave me this 11 year old bottle of Chimay about a year ago. I was blown away by the age of this and his generosity and it quickly became the prize piece of my cellar. It was about 4-5 months later that I was talking to John from the Amherst Brewing Company who said he had gotten a bottle as well, opened it and quickly poured it all out because it had been oxidized beyond drinkability. Needless to say I was totally bummed, I just assumed my bottle was going to be bad as well. I decided to open it and split it with a friend, expecting the worst. Sometimes in life you get lucky though... From the Chimay site: "This is a beer whose fragrance of fresh yeast with a light, flowery rosy touch is especially pleasant. Its flavour, noticed when tasting it, only accentuates the pleasant sensations perceived in the aroma , while revealing a light but pleasant touch of roasted malt." Here we go... Pour - the cork is popped and the beer foams a bit from the bottle. Good sign as this means its still carbonated. Poured inton the glass it is murky brown, slightly viscous with some yeast sediment. The head is big, fluffy and white and leaves some nice tight clinging lace inside the glass. So far so good.
Aroma - malty, earthy, brown sugar/caramel, peaches (?), slightly sour (which made me a bit nervous), cherries, apples and raisins. Lots of smells to take in.
Taste - sweet brown sugar, toffee, earthy and mossy. This beer has aged better than I expected. Its slightly oxidized but that does not take away from all the flavors. Its got plenty of malty sweetness but also some yeasty flavors and a good amount of earthiness. Its slightly acidic and syrupy but not in a way that is off putting. Nice brown bread flavors as well. Its delicious and better than I hoped.
Overall - 11 years old and still amazing. This beer has taken on some earthy flavors and definitely become smoother and maltier with a slight bit of oxidization. Carbonation levels were great and overall flavor was excellent. Great beer and one of the oldest beers I've ever had.
Would I buy more of it? - not even applicable.
Vintage - This beer was bottled in 1998
Note - "Since its renovation in 1989, the brewery uses all its modern technology to back up its exclusive knowledge which dates back to 1862. Even though the brewery only operates from 07.00 to 16.00 out of respect for the schedules of the monastic life, it produces every day two batches of 250 hectolitres (52,850 pts) each." - Chimay site
Posted by Russ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Straffe Hendrik Brugs Tripel Bier 9° (Straffe Hendrik/De Halve Maan)
When I was in Bruges this past summer I meant to stop in and check De Halve Maan out, but I never found the time unfortunately. So, I was pretty happy to be given a bottle of there beer by a friend who was visiting from Maine. I don't see too many of their beers for sale here in the States. Cheers Colin! From the De Halve Maan site: "Straffe Hendrik is a Bitter Tripel Ale of 9% abv. The beer was originally from Bruges and brewed in Bruges by brewery De Halve Maan. In 1981, Henri Maes and his daughter Véronique followed the demand of the mayor and created a strong blond beer for the inaugration of the statue of Sint-Arnoldus, the saint of all beer-brewers. However, the beer became so popular, that the demand fot the beer continued. It was given the name of Straffe Hendrik (Strong Hendrick), since it was a rich and strong beer. Today, Straffe Hendrik is the last authentic Tripel Ale of Bruges." Here we go... Pour - dark golden in color. Quite pretty in this glass. The head is thick and foamy and leaves quite
Aroma - grainy, malty, clove, bananas, spicy hops and some faint hints of alcohol.
Taste - sweet, a bit spicy, hints of caramel/brown sugar. I taste honey and some floral-ness. This is a bit syrupy, a bit more so than some of the other tripels I've had. You definitely taste and feel that 9% alcohol as well.
Overall - very good Tripel! A bit spicy and a tad on the sweet side. Definitely one that you'd want to share due to its sweetness and its potency. .
Would I buy more of it? - I'd say yes, especially to share with friends as this is a beer with some history and rather strong.
Note - "Straffe Hendrik was an authentic Bruges' Tripel beer: a strong and rich beer with lots of flavours (malt, caramel and hop) and 9% abv. In the past, lots of Bruges' breweries produced a Tripel Style Bruges' Ale, a “Brugse Tripel”. In fact, it was a local speciality. Today, Straffe Hendrik is the last authentic Bruges' Tripel Beer. In 1988, the label was transfered to another brewery and the production in Bruges decreased until it stopped completely. In 2008, exactly 20 years later, Xavier Vanneste brought the label back to Bruges. Ever since, Straffe Hendrik is being brewed in Bruges according to the original recipe and enjoyes once again an excellent reputation amongst the people of Bruges who have "their Tripel" back."
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian Beers, Belgian Tripels | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
   Cuvée Van De Keizer Rood 2009 (Brouwerij Het Anker)
An introduction from our friends at Het Anker: "Cuvée van de Keizer" is brewed every year from the 24th of February on, the birthday of Charles the Fifth, and in a limited quantity. This blond, exclusive, powerful and subtle beer is refermented in the bottle." Granted this beer is meant to age, however living in an apartment with a fairly unstable climate (this is Scandinavia) I felt that it was best to just bite the bullet and open this one. This actually turned out to be somewhat problematic...after working on the cork for a good 10 minutes I finally resorted to a corkscrew. Introduced last year on the 10th anniversary of the "blue" or dark version of this beer, this Rood or blonde is brewed with multiple types of malts, 3 different herbs and only Belgian hops. (The original is a great beer, and if you're lucky you can find older versions at well stocked pubs. Here in Stockholm I've seen them back to 2001. Note to self: get beer cellar.) Why Charles the Fifth, aka Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire and holder of about a dozen other Europen titles? I'm actually not sure... Gouden Carolus is named after the golden currencies during his reign - one that the Het Anker brewery was part of since it has a history going back to 1369 - apparently he "...declared that all beer brewed by brewery Het Anker that was destined for beguines and her officers was free of duties and excise taxes." Or, also according to their website..."Charles Leclef, the fifth generation of the family which had bought the brewery in 1873, started with the restoration of the old buildings and modernised the refrigeration, fermentation and lagerings installations." That occured in 1990, and he eventually was the man who brought this beer to life. Appearance: Pours a soft light auburn color, a bit cloudy and starts off with about a centimeter of solid white head that dissipates into a lazy foam. Aroma: Remarkably sweet and fruity, with hops and a good amount of Belgian yeast. Slightly of alcohol, this is 10.5%. Taste: Complex with lots of spices, floral notes and sugars. Incredibly smooth and rich for something this strong, has a long drawn out aftertaste that just makes you want to take another sip as it warms your insides. The alcohol only really kicks in at the end with a slight bitterness. I think this is one of those beers that everyone will experience differently. Some may find it too strong, others might find it too sweet with a sticky mouthfeel. I thought it was a really great example of creating a very rich, complex and flavorful light beer, something that is usually reserved for the darker Belgian beers. It almost fools you into believing it's something else as you drink it. A tad on the sweet side, but with everything else involved it seems to work. One to be enjoyed with small sips...maybe with your eyes closed.
Posted by Kelly Labels: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Belgian Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  La Trappe Witte Trappist (Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.)
The world's only Trappist witbier... See other reviews from this brewery for more information about La Trappe (Koningshoeven). Introduced in 2001 Witte Trappist became the world's first and only Trappist witbier. It is actually a reintroduction of a similar beer the brewery was producing as early as the 50's. If one wanted to make guesses - the success of Hoegaarden may have been a contributing factor. Appearance - Unfiltered and brewed mainly with wheat it pours a slightly cloudy pale gold color. Has a fluffy head that dissipates leaving circles of yeast on the beer. (It's alive!) Aroma - Fruity, yeasty a bit citrusy. Very fresh with notes of spices (even though this is brewed sans coriander). Has a nice aroma. Taste - No doubt you've had similar beers (Hoegaarden included), so you won't be bowled over by it's originality. Has a refreshing yeasty, actually slightly malty, taste with floral hops and a gentle finish. Definitely something to be enjoyed when it's warm (as in not outside in November) and the beer is cold. Some may find it a bit seltzery but the carbonation doesn't get in the way of the taste. Overall - A bit more complex than the typical witbier (most likely a good thing) and smoother than some of the new ones popping up. Witte Trappist is a good example of how this type of beer can be when it's taken seriously. It isn't (and won't ever be) the leading example of this style, but it's definitely worth a try and would be a great easy drinking option in the summer. Just don't put lemon in it...
Posted by Kelly Labels: Witbiers, Belgian Beers, Trappist Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
La Trappe Tripel (Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.)
La Trappe, known as Koningshoeven in some parts of the world (such as the US), is one of the 7 Trappist breweries and the only one found outside of Belgium. The brewery and abbey (Onze Lieve Vrouw van Koningshoeven) have an interesting history - one that is celebrating 125 years of brewing this year. The monks first began brewing beer in 1884, which was all fine and dandy till they licensed it out to Artois (later InBev) at the end of the 60's. In 1980 they took things back into their own hands and did most of the brewing up until the end of the 90's when old age began to kick in and they partnered up with brewer giant Bavaria - which is when the trouble started. The lack of engagement in the actual process by the monks led to a dispute in regards to the strict Trappist brand regulations and the abbey was for a period of 6 years not allowed to use the Trappist name. Although they are still a subsidiary of Bavaria, and the most modern and commercial of all the Trappists, they regained the right to display the Trappist logo about 4 years ago. The monks now put in a few hours of work as part of an agreement. Whether or not they are or aren't a genuine Trappist is rather rudimentary since they brew rather good beer. And unlike the other abbeys they continue to expand their brand and even do some license brewing (they once brewed Chimay). This tripel has been in existence since 1987. Additionally they produce the only Trappist witbier and a bock, blond, dubbel and quadrupel. Appearance - Pours slightly cloudy copper color with a thick head that takes up camp on top of the beer and doesn't really leave....ever. Aroma - The hallmark fruity, yeasty and spicy smell of Trappist brewing. Yep, there's coriander in there. Taste - A complex mixture of sweet and slightly dry, with a mix of "guess that spice" and dried fruit. It's a tiny bit tart, but refreshing and crisp. The 8% will warm you up, but it doesn't hit your tongue. Overall - You usually can't go terribly wrong with Trappist beers in general, although the mistake people make is thinking they share common qualities. They do, but the brewing processes vary dramatically. Even as a tripel this distances itself greatly from the likes of Westmalle and Rochefort. You won't be disappointed if you like strong Belgian style beers, just don't go looking for this one in Belgium where it's more or less non-existent.
Posted by Kelly Labels: Belgian Tripels, Belgian Beers, Trappist Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  Saxo (Bio) (Brasserie Caracole)
Not to be confused with the regular Saxo, this is the bio or organic version that is now available. Strange to have two versions of the same beer, but if you can do it with milk and eggs why not... I guess it's only a matter of time till we get an organic version of Guinness. One thing to note that is significantly different between this version and the regular Saxo is the price. This one is about twice as much. Alas, I have never found that elusive great tasting organic beer. Could this be it? Not that I actually strive to find them, this was actually the only version available in Sweden (which is big on the whole organic thing in an ugly way...) so I didn't have a lot of choice in the matter. I have had the regular Saxo, so this will be interesting to compare. Caracole, is a small brewery near Dinant in central Belgium. They do 6 different beers, 2 organic versions, this being their absolute latest. The word caracole, if you're wondering, is actually the Spanish word for snail - hence the snails on their labels. (Belgium was once ruled by Spain as part of the Spanish Netherlands and has a lingering amount of Spanish names and culture, even after nearly 400 years.) On to the show... Appearance - Pours a light golden color with a firm head that sticks around for ages. A bit cloudy. Aroma - The smell is that great blend of sweetness and yeast that is Belgium. Alive, wild and very crisp. This is like a buttery citrus. Taste - Very nice. It's smooth with hints of vanilla and spices (pepper, coriander, orange peel). Rounded and actually more full-bodied than I would have imagined. A really nice blonde beer, with hardly a hint of the 7.5% alcohol content....well, just enough to make it enjoyable. Overall - Well, by mistake I have found the first organic beer I've had that really makes you say, "I don't care if this organic, it tastes good." There may be some small differences between the non-organic Saxo and this one, but you'll be happy with either. Nicely done Caracole, now teach everyone your secret...
Posted by Kelly Labels: Belgian Pale Ales, Belgian Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 La Trappe Isid'or (Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.)
La Trappe has always managed to distance itself from the other trappist breweries in a number of ways, first of all they are the only one located outside of Belgium, secondly they once lost their trappist rights - but regained them, and recently they have become the only trappist brewery that continues to expand their line up of beers. Unlike their other additions (such as the vit and bock) this beer has both a historical and noteworthy reason for its release. First off it is brewed to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the brewery itself. It is named in honor of Brother Isidorus, the first brewmaster at La Trappe. Secondly, all profits of the sales of this beer go to the co-friars in Uganda so that they can rebuild their monastery after fleeing the violence in neighboring Kenya. Who says beer can't do a world of good? Something to contemplate with this one... Apperance - Pours a cloudy auburn color with a thick and creamy off-white head. Aroma - Fruity and yeasty, with some caramel malts. Ahh...trappist beer... Taste - Sweet and smooth, with caramel notes and a thick and rich aftertaste. In my opinion this actually excels beyond the regular offerings from La Trappe, bringing in a whole new realm of spiciness combined with hops and chewy malts. Certainly something I think does justice for Brother Isidorus. The alcohol level is just right at 7.5%, not too heavy, not to weak to leave the beer watery. Very nice texture and mouthfeel and once again, a great drawn out aftertaste featuring a complex range of tastes. Overall - I think this is a worthy beer to be called a trappist, and one that certainly lives up to the name. I hope that La Trappe keeps it around because I can certainly see myself buying more in the future. It would be a welcome addition to their lineup and one that I think will do a lot for their reputation as a serious brewery alongside the likes of Orval and Westmalle. If you're like me you've always looked at La Trappe as possibly the weakest link in the trappist chain, this may swing your thoughts a bit...and you'll be helping out a good cause by buying a bottle (or three...)
Posted by Kelly Labels: Belgian Pale Ales, Trappist Beers, Belgian Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  Monk's Café Flemish Sour Red Ale (Brouwerij Van Steenberge)
How many American bars have a beer brewed for them by a brewery in Belgium? Not many. Monk's Café is an awesome little Belgian themed beer bar in Philadelphia (16th and Spruce). Back in the day I used to deliver beer to them. If you are ever in the "City of Brotherly Love" and are looking for a place to grab a great glass of beer, Monk's is it. From the Monk's Cafe site: "Our own private label brewed for us by the family owned Van Steenberge brewery, just outside of Ghent, Belgium. Medium body, red color, somewhat fruity nose, malt flavor with a slight lactic sourness. A real thirst quencher and palate cleanser." Here we go... Pour - Dark reddish brown or auburn in appearance. Nice off-white fluffy head with great lacing on the inside of the glass. Aroma - Sour malt, vinegar, brown sugar, apple cider and a little bit of a buttery aroma. Taste - Initial tartness, a bit like sweet apple cider vinegar, gives way to a very sweet malty rush. The tongue is lovingly put the ringer a bit like eating a Sour Patch Kid. Carbonation levels are good and as it warms a bit there are more overripe apple and pear flavors along with brown sugar and caramel. The sour flavors return in the aftertaste and leaves your mouth slightly puckered. Overall - A great sour for the newbie. Its not too puckering to scare a person away but enough to keep you interested. Very drinkable and very delicious. Would I buy more of it? - Absolutely! This is one of my favorite Flemish Sours and absolutely amazing on tap if you can find it. Note: Monk's Cafe was named one of the "Top 10 Places to Have a Beer Before You Die" by All About Beer Magazine.
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian Beers, Sour Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Trappist Westvleteren 8 (Brouwerij Westvleteren)
Affectionately known as Westy 8, this is one of the three beers produced at the Abbe y of St. Sixtus. The others being a blonde (6) and a quad (the very famous 12). Westvleteren, located in the eastern part of Belgium, remains the only Trappist brewery in which monks do all of the brewing.
Here we go... Pour - Pours a cloudy, slightly murky brown. Its reminiscent of instant iced tea or better yet it looks very much like a brown ale sitting in secondary fermentation. When held to the light you can see many tiny bubbles in suspended animation. Its quite a sight to behold. The head is big and fluffy and looks like cake patter or a very tiny open fermenter tank.
Aroma - Instantly takes me back to Belgium. The aroma of sweet malt and a very familiar yeast strain. Its caramel, brown sugar and sweet fruit all mixed together. It warms the nose and the soul.
Taste - Where does one begin. As soon as the flavors all mesh together on my tongue, happiness erupts. The sweetness of the malt is like baked apples and caramel. Flavors of sweet tea come to mind, as does sweet brown bread with honey butter. Carbonation levels are perfect letting this beer sparkle in your mouth and soak your taste buds with perfection.
Overall - World class. If you've never had a bottle of this or the 12 you will need to make the trek to Belgium yourself. Every bit as good as people say it is, by far the best Belgian Dubbel on planet earth and maybe even the universe (assuming their isn't some planet out there that has their own trappist breweries).
Would I buy more of it? - I would love to, alas its not that easy. This is one of those beers that is very hard to get and should stay that way.
Vintage - This beer was bottled on August 27, 2008.
Note: A case of this beer costs 32,00 euros at the abbey. You'll also need to pay a deposit of 12,00 euros for the bottles and the crate. That is a grand total of 44,00 euros or about $65 USD.
Posted by Russ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  Orval Trappist Ale - 2007 Vintage (Brasserie d'Orval)
Brasserie d'Orval is one of the world's seven Trappist beer producing monasteries (six in Belgium, one in the Netherlands). Orval produces only one beer for public consumption and it brews that beer extremely well. Their Orval Trappist Ale, a Belgian pale ale, is widely considered to be one of the very best in the world. Orval is unique among the Trappist beers as it is refermented with a strain of Brettanomyces. This house yeast strain is active in the bottle and if you cellar one for a few years the funky "Brett" character really comes out and adds to the Orval experience. This bottle is celebrating it's second birthday today and I am throwing it a party in which it is the guest of honor in my glass. Orval pours a very bright, hazy orange. Lots of bubble action, I'm guessing two years of bottle fermenting has upped the carbonation levels a bit. The head is big and thick and creamy, the Belgian's are masters at that art. Looks beautiful. Wow, the aroma is a ton of the sour, bitter, funky Brettanomyces. Its like sour cherry almost. There is also a bit of that musty, farmhouse sort of smell going on. If you're not into these sorts of smells, just give it some time. A two-year old bottle of Orval is heavenly. First sip and its clear that this beer has changed and become an entirely new beast. The mouthfeel is a bit more mellow and smooth, lots of earthy flavors and of course the funk from the Brett. Lots of sour notes on the tongue that bounce around with the carbonation. Pretty incredible how much this beer has changed and how well it holds up. The bottle itself shows an "expiration" date as being in 2012! Amazing stuff, not sure for how much longer I'd want to cellar a bottle of Orval. It must hit a peak before the flavor profile really mellows and it becomes somewhat bland and musty tasting. I'm happy I gave this bottle a nice second birthday party.
Posted by Russ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Urthel Samaranth (De Leyerth Brouwerijen)
As potent as they come, this is a Belgian Quadrupel (Quadrium on this bottle) that weighs in at a big 11.5%. The one that you drink in the comfort of your own home within crawling distance to your bed. I'm not sure if this relates, but Samaranth is the name of the dragon in the book Here, There Be Dragons by James A. Owen. It was also the wedding beer for the owners of the brewery in 2002...nice of them to share it with the rest of us. Pours a vivid deep copper brown color with a meek head that leaves a rim around the beer. The aroma is a nice brown sugar, caramel, and yeasty mix. Take a deep drag of it and you can feel the alcohol. The taste is amazingly robust. This is chewy, strong and makes your mouth work...and yet it goes down smooth with a long drawn out warming alcohol tone. It's a bit sweet, kind of spicy and just plain good. Belgium knows how to brew strong beers and this is an excellent example of how strength can really make for great flavors. There's a lot of sugar in this but it's been flattened out and really doesn't take over. Urthel has a winner here. The brewery isn't even 10 years old, but has already established itself as a mainstay in my book. If you can get your hands on a bottle it will definitely be worth it, especially if you can find a copy of the aforementioned book to read while drinking it. The beer should get you through at least the first 30 pages...
Posted by Kelly Labels: Belgian Quads, Belgian Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Timmermans Oude Gueuze Ltd. Edit. (Brouwerij Timmermans-John Martin)
Yes, another Gueuze here in Sweden that can actually be bought and brought home (that makes 2). Labeled as "Belgium's Finest Lambic Beer" Timmermans has been around since 1781. This Limited Edition is a one off production, I don't know much more about it other than that. The website doesn't preach much on it other than: "Fascinating discovery of the world of the brettanomyces..." That's enough for most people. Before I go on, yes that is a Little My glass. Perfect for drinking gueuze. With a loud and almost dangerous pop we're off... Pours a very pale gold with tiny bubbles and a small but firm head. The carbonation makes me think of a snow globe in reverse - it's a very active beer. The aroma is - you guessed it - horse blanket. Very musty, bretty, a bit buttery and that strange combination of fresh and sour. That taste is, well gueuze. There is no better way to explain it. This one is smooth, a bit spicy and has a long bitter aftertaste. It's a surprisingly approachable beer for this style. Not as tart and hard hitting as Cantillon, but rather sweet and even fruity at times. Ends a bit dry but not in a bad way. There is a lot of flavor here and despite the sourness a great deal of different things come through. Not sure how long this will be around, or how hard it will be to find, but it's definitely recommended for anyone who enjoys this style of beer.
Posted by Kelly Labels: Gueuze, Belgian Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Oude Gueuze Vieille (Brouwerij Oud Beersel)
This is currently the only gueuze that can be purchased for home consumption in the country of Sweden. Which, you have to admit, is just a little depressing... Thankfully you can buy many of the others in the Belgian pubs in Stockholm, including Cantillon on tap. Oud Beersel actually closed it's doors in 2003 after more than 120 years of brewing lambics. However, that was not to last long. The brewery reopened just a few years later with new operators and this gueuze made it's first appearance in 2007. Not without merit it garnered a Silver Medal in the World Beer Cup. The corked bottle opens with a nice big pop followed by a swirl of vapor (that is just what these types of things are supposed to do, otherwise I'm disappointed.) Pours at first very foamy but settles down and leaves about a centimeter of thick compact head that is very white and stubborn to disappear. The color is a cloudy golden yellow (lighter than the picture above without any background lighting). Smells like gueuze, which if you've had it, you know exactly what that implies. Yeasty, musty, spicy, slightly sour and citric. If you haven't had gueuze it is rather difficult to describe, the smell is very unique and only makes sense after you've had a sip. The taste is a combination of sour, dry and tart with some hints of fruit. The finish is at first smooth but comes in as nearly acidic as it says goodbye. That is what stays with you till you take the next sip - and the cycle starts again. Round two is a bit different, with more sweet character and spice, still bitter but now your mouth has an idea of what's in store. Same nice long finish. Not as blatantly bold and tart as far as gueuzes go, which can occasionally be a good thing. This one is easier to take hold of, and for people who don't go in for wild beers, probably easier to drink. It's very pleasant and if you like gueuze you'll really enjoy this a lot. (My wife counts it as one of her favorite beers!) I really wonder how many Swedes have been taken off guard with this one, after they've brought it home and opened it...even scarier I wonder how many have attempted to return it saying it was off. Since it's the only gueuze you can buy here perhaps it should have a small warning...
Posted by Kelly Labels: Gueuze, Belgian Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Chimay brewery tour video (10 minutes) This was an interesting find on YouTube, I'm not entirely sure of it's origins but it is well done. (I get the impression that it was actually produced by Chimay.) In just 10 minutes the video runs through the history of the Trappists as well as Scourmont Abbey and the brewing and bottling process. The information regarding the brewery, and the beer, is given by none other than the Director of the Brewery - Father Thomas as well as other monks. Worth a watch!
Posted by Kelly Labels: Beer Videos, Belgian Beers, Breweries |
  DeuS - Brut Des Flandres (Brouwerij Bosteels)
Finally got my hands on a bottle of this, not something you want to buy down at the pub for $75 a bottle, much more affordable if you can find it in a store. A £32 bottle of beer with your meal madam? and of course the 205 reviews at BeerAdvocate giving it an A- total:
Posted by Kelly Labels: Bière Brut, Belgian Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Images from Cantillon No trip to Brussels (or Belgium for that matter) would be complete without taking a tour of the Cantillon Brewery, which is also home to the Brussels Museum of Gueuze - actually they are the same thing.
Posted by Kelly Labels: Belgian Beers, Breweries, Beer Porn |
 Good Beer Guide Belgium (Tim Webb)
My copy of Tim Webb's Good Beer Guide Belgium is stained with the remnants of many good beers had in Belgian beer cafes. Three trips to Belgium have worn it out quite a bit and I have to say that I don't think there is another book I would have rather had with me on any of those trips. Tim Webb has written his fair share of books about the likes of Lambics, Flemish sours, Geuzes and Tripels. He is along the lines of the late Michael Jackson when it comes to "beer hunting" in Belgium. Let this guy do the leg work and be your guide. He knows what he is talking about. GBGB is set up like a guide book, in that it broken down town by town with information on where to stay and where to eat but the entire focus of the book is about the beer. Tim lets you know the hotels that will keep some of your money in your pocket to spend on beer and he tells you where to go to get the best of the best. Along with a plethora of beer cafe and brewery maps to get you where you need to go, there is a ton of information about Belgian beer styles and some history lessons so you know why things are the way they are, great reading on those train rides! If that was n't enough, Tim packs in a ridiculous amount of information about most (if not all) of Belgium's numerous breweries and the beers that they brew. A nice rating scale is included along with a brief, yet brutally honest, blurb about each offering. This October will mark the release of the 6th Edition of Tim Webb's Good Beer Guide Belgium. If you can hold off until then you'll certainly be rewarded with very, very up to date information, if not every other edition will more than suffice! This is without a doubt the best book to bring with you when traveling through the BeNeLux countries.
Posted by Russ Labels: Book Reviews, Belgian Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||
  Valeir Extra (Brouwerij Contreras)
Brewed by Contreras near Ghent in Belgium, this is (according to the Good Beer Guide Belgium) a "double dry-hopped version of the Blond". For lack of a better term one can call it a Belgian IPA.
Posted by Kelly Labels: Belgian Beers, Belgian Pale Ales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hoegaarden Rosée (Brouwerij van Hoegaarden)
Released in 2007, Hoegaarden Rosée is more or less a raspberry take on the original Hoegaarden white beer. It contains a minimum of 10% fruit juice according to the can and you can see that pretty well in the picture.
Posted by Kelly Labels: Fruit Beers, Belgian Beers, Witbiers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Delhaize Pils Biére (S.A. Delhaize Group N.V.)
Belgium is a paradise for beer lovers, and the Delhaize grocery store chain, which seems omnipresent around the country, is probably the best place to score a great deal on good beer. This particular beer however is a slap in the face to all that is good about Belgium. Ironically, or perhaps fittingly, the CFO of Delhaize (Food Lion) is Stéfan Descheemaeker who previously worked for Anheuser-Busch InBev.
Posted by Kelly Labels: Belgian Beers, Pilseners | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Great Beers of Belgium (Michael Jackson)
First published in 1991, Michael Jackson's mammoth bible of the great beers of Belgium has grown over the years to include more than 750 photographs and more than 500 pages of text. It has become an encyclopedia of sorts for the styles and brands available, where they can be found and the history behind them.
Posted by Kelly Labels: Book Reviews, Belgian Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||
Around Brussels in 80 Beers (Joe Stange & Yvan de Baets)
I picked up a copy of this book at De Bier Tempel 5 minutes after arriving in Brussels last time I was there. Five days later it was already dog-eared and well worn. €13 very wisely spent...
Posted by Kelly Labels: Book Reviews, Belgian Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||
  100 Belgian Beers To Try Before You Die! (Tim Webb and Joris Pattyn)
Tim Webb - known for his Good Beer Guide Begium teams up with Joris Pattyn - expert on Belgian beer and judge in numerous international beer competitions - to bring the world the inspirational 100 Belgian Beers To Try Before You Die! Indispensable if you're planning a trip to Belgium, and definitely a worthwhile addition to any beer enthusiast's bookshelf if you have an interest in Belgian beer.
The majority of these beers are absolutely top of the line, others are listed more for what they exemplify than what they taste like. (Your experience may vary, but out of the 60 or so I've gotten through, a handful have been a bit bland.)
Posted by Kelly Labels: Book Reviews, Belgian Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fantôme Biere Artisanale Sur Lie (Brasserie Fantôme)
Also known as Saison Fantôme D'Erezée, this is one of those elusive beers that if you are lucky enough to find it - then it's best to buy it regardless of price.
Posted by Kelly Labels: Belgian Beers, Saisons/Farmhouse Ales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wostyntje Torhout's Mustard Ale (Brouwerij de Regenboog)
Brouwerij de Regenboog translates as the "Rainbow Brewery". They brew six different beers and the mustard ale is one of their more interesting offerings. I had some high hopes for this beer being something unique, unfortunately it seems it was infected/tainted as the carbonation levels were way high and there was a very sour/astringent quality to it that pretty much blanketed any subtle flavors, especially any of the (Tourhout's) mustard seeds. That being said, I feel obligated to make some notes about this beer as I am not sure I'll throw down the $5 again as I don't want to deal with another disappointment. Not to mention that there is the slight chance that this beer is supposed to be like this... The mustard ale pours a cloudy sort of matte orange in color. The head on this is very thick, bubbly and almost bubble bath like in appearance. The smell is very sour, very much like a Flemish Red Ale or almost vinegar-esque. I don't get much else from this aroma-wise, its all sour. The taste is very bitter, sour, sort of metallic like iron with some hints of malt but not much of the original intended flavor coming through? I really am hoping this was a beer thats gone bad and not what the brewers anticipated. Mouthfeel is puckering. Drinkability is "tough". I was pretty excited to give this one a go but in the end it was pretty disappointing. : (
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Cherish Peach Lambic (Brouwerij Van Steenberge) Ahh, lambics. Such amazing beer and so unlike anything else that you've had in your beer drinking life. That first sip will always be remembered, hopefully fondly. The unblended lambics are unbelievable and much harder to find then the ones that are blended with fruit, such as this Cherish Peach. Try both the blended and unblended to get a full appreciation of what spontaneously fermented and aged beer can be like. The Cherish Peach pours very light and clear with little head, its very much like a cider or even a white one in the way that it pours and settles. The smell is very strong of gummy peaches, which I guess I half expected. A lot of the fruit lambics tend to be on the too sweet side in my opinion. There is also a faint bit of mustiness or earthiness as well as the smell of granny smith apples. Taste is tart, a little peachy but much more of sour apple. Its also got a bit of a tanginess as well. Its quite a blend of flavors, sour fruit, earthy yeast, white wine and hard dry cider. It has to be experienced to fully appreciate the myriad of flavors. Its very dry and not overly sweet thankfully. This is a very crisp and refreshing beer. Its not the best example of the style by any means but at $3 a bottle its worth giving it a try if you've not experienced traditional lambics. Lambic 101 (courtesy of Wikipedia) - Unlike conventional ales and lagers, which are fermented by carefully cultivated strains of brewer's yeasts, Lambic beer is instead produced by spontaneous fermentation: it is exposed to the wild yeasts and bacteria that are said to be native to the Senne valley, in which Brussels lies. It is this unusual process which gives the beer its distinctive flavour: dry, vinous, and cidery, with a slightly sour aftertaste.
Posted by Russ Labels: Lambics, Belgian Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  Saison (Brasserie de la Senne) While visiting Belgium together, we paid a visit to an amazing little beer bar in Brussels called Chez Moeder Lambic. I had met one of the owners at The Dirty Truth (Northampton, MA) one night and he invited my brother and I to drop by and check out his beer cafe when we were in Belgium, no arm twisting needed. When we arrived the other owner of the bar was kind enough to bring us a bottle of this amazing stuff. Unlike other traditional saisons, Brasserie de la Senne actually blends a saison with some lambic, from the famous Cantillon Brewery, so its got a bit of a tart, citrusy crispness. Absolutely amazing stuff for a warm summer night at an outdoor table in Brussels. It pours a nice deep golden orange color with a good half inch of stark white head. Looks amazing in the glassware provided (true to form in Belgium, every beer/brewery has its own glass). The aroma of this is earthy and yeasty, very spicey like other saisons with a slight lemony zesty flavor. Absolutely beautiful smelling beer. Taste is spicey, "saison-y" for sure. Very crisp and refreshing with a lot of yeasty spice, some lemon citrus flavor that provides a bit of bitterness on the tongue and some dryness in the finish. This is a very easy drinking beer (only 4.3% ABV), absolutely amazing stuff from a world class brewery. As a twist of fate we actually met the owner of Brasserie de la Senne later that evening and spoke to him about his beers and time brewing at Cantillon, what a night! Note: A few beers from Brasserie de la Senne are available in the USA, you can get Stouterik and Zinnebir at some of the beer stores as well as Taras Boulba. All are incredible.
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian Beers, Saisons/Farmhouse Ales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel (Brasserie d'Achouffe)
I think it says a lot for the American brewing industry, when a renowned Belgian brewery starts producing a beer that utilizes two styles of American hops. Brasserie d'Achouffe's Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel is a mouthful thats for sure (houblon is French for hop in case you are wondering). It also one hell of a tasty beer. You have to be intrigued when you see the letters I-P-A on a big bottle of Belgian beer, right? The back of the bottle reads: "On its journey across the globe the little Chouffe wandered through beautiful hopfields. The overwhelming aroma of these little hop flowers such as Tomahawk, Amarillo and Saaz mesmerized him. Back at home in the Ardennes he crafted a new recipe combining this dizzying array of hops with the depth and body of his favorite style "Tripel". Thus, our little Chouffe's new inspiration Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel was born." The HCDIT pours light, like a Belgian tripel would. Its hazy, yellowish gold with a big fluffy head that quickly fades to a thin lacy film at the top of the glass. It smells grassy and slightly hay-like. It also has a spicy, sweet hop smell mixed with some Belgian yeastiness. Taste is at first yeasty. It also has a sweetness mixed with hay and hops. Its definitely an odd combo, part tripel and part IPA. Its a good way to really describe this unique combo as the drinker will get something from both styles with every sip and smell. If you are not a Belgian beer drinker and you see IPA on this bottle, don't go thinking this is going to be akin to a Dogfish Head 60 Minute or something similar...its not! I've never really had anything like this before. Its a strong Belgian with lots of hops. You can't go wrong with this one or any others by the same brewers.
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian Beers, Belgian IPAs, Belgian Tripels | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  Pannepot Old Fisherman's Ale - 2006 (De Struise Brouwers)
Its St. Patrick's Day, that holy day for drinking beer. Since I am no longer young enough to get away with drinking my weight in Guinness or crappy green beer, I am turning this holiday into a day where I celebrate with some great beers (quality over quantity comes with age I guess). Maybe its the luck of the Irish that I finally found a bottle of Pannepot. I've been poking around for it for awhile and really looking forward to seeing what all the hype is about. It gets ridiculously good ratings online and I am a sucker for a well brewed Belgian beer. This stuff pours nice and thick, it is 10% afterall. Its got a nice foamy head that is pretty tight. I love how the drips from the bottom of the bottle discolor the head and stay on top like a good shot of espresso. Wow, this smells good. Its got a nice sweet smell and definitely has the Belgian yeasty smell that distinguishes the abbey-type ales. Along with the sweetness, Pannepot smells a bit liked baked apples with cinnamon and cloves. Its been about 6-7 minutes and the head of this beer is still perfect! I hate to ruin it... First taste is full of spice and lots of sweet dark dried fruits. This is a pretty powerful brew. Its instantly warming but the alcohol taste is masked well by lots and lots of malty sweetness. This is an amazingly smooth beer with quite a bit of complexity. It really is as good as everyone says it is. I am going to be hunting down their other beers for sure. The label on the bottle reads: "In the early 1900s, the village of De Panne, close to the French border, was famous for two things -- the ‘Pannepots,’ or fishing boats, that could be seen along the coast, and the unique dark ale enjoyed by the local fishermen. Our Old Fisherman’s Ale is a tribute to these hardy sailors and their rich, flavorful brew. Unfiltered. Unpasteurized. Bottle-conditioned."
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian Beers, Vintage Beers, Belgian Quads | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 McChouffe (Brasserie d'Achouffe)
The little gnomes from the Brasserie d'Achouffe in Belgium really know how to brew some great beer! Mc Chouffe, "The Scotch from the Ardennes" is absolutely no exception. This Belgian brown ale has all the qualities that make Belgian beer both unique and ridiculously good. It has a nice earthy quality to it and a sweetness that goes perfect with the 8.5% abv it packs. Mc Chouffe also has a nice subtle spiciness and that familiar unique Belgian yeastiness. I really enjoy Belgian beers and this was definitely one of my all time favorites.
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
