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World Beer Review: Belgium

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World Beer Review: Belgium

Postby Iz Man on Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:13 pm

Where do I begin.......
Personally, I find Belgian Ales to be of the finest in the world. There are so many that I would like to post here. From the Trappist Abbey ales, to farmhouse brews, Saisons & Lambics. There are just so many.
In any case, here are a few to start off. All of which should be tried at least once before you die...... 8) For more info on Belgian Ales, check the link in my profile.

Chimay Grand Réserve
Origin: Province of Hainaut, Belgium
Style: Abbey (Authentic Trappist)
Alcohol: 9.0% ABV

ImageThe most port-like of the Trappist Ales is the vintage dated Grand Réserve. It is the strongest of the three principle brews made by the Trappist monastery of Notre-Dame, at Scourmont, near the town of Chimay, in the far south of Belgium. The port flavors develop if the beer is laid down for 5 years or more. This aromatic, lively, rich ale has a sweet middle, with drier suggestions of thyme, pepper, sandalwood, and nutmeg in the finish. It is a complex classic, great with some Chimay cheese.


Huyghe Delirium Tremens
Origin: Province of East Flanders, Belgium
Style: Strong Golden Ale
Alcohol: 9.0% ABV

ImageFlippant names such as Delirium Tremens reflect the Belgian spirit of "eat, drink, and be merry". The name once resulted in the beer being banned from the United States. For the American market, it was given the name Mateen, after an early Flemish brewer. The beer employs Saaz & Styrian hops, and is fermented with three yeasts (in a 2-stage fermentation and bottle-conditioning). It has a very fruity aroma, reminiscent of plums or gooseberries; a sweetish palate; and a lot of warming alcohol in the finish. :twisted:


Saison Dupont
Origin: Province of Hainaut, Belgium
Style: Saison
Alcohol: 6.5% ABV

ImageProbably the best known Saison. In the French-speaking part of Belgium, the word "season" sometimes appears on beer labels. The season in question is always summer. As the Belgians like strong beers, even their summer brews are often potent. They are firm and dry, with a yeasty, fruity acidity like that of an orange, and usually unfiltered. Saison Dupont is a classic. It is made at the farmhouse brewery at Tourpes, near Leuze, east of the town of Tournai. The brewery makes several variations on this theme, some labeled "Moinette", the name of the farm (In French, moine means monk, and the farm is on what is believed to have been an Abbey Estate). The farm also makes breads (some using grain from the brewery) and a range of cheeses (one spiced with finely chopped hops).


Rodenbach Grand Cru
Origin: Province of West Flanders, Belgium
Style: Flemish Red Ale
Alcohol: 6.0% ABV

ImageWhile the regular version of this famous Flemish Red Ale is a blend of old and young beers, the Grand Cru is a straight bottling of the long-matured, stronger component. It is aged in ceiling-high oak tuns for at least two years. The result is a lively boquet, with vanilla-like oakiness that extends into the palate; passion fruit flavors; and a clean, sharp acidity like that found in sour cream. Rodenbach Grand Cru would feature on any connoisseur's list of the world's top ten beers. Excellent.
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Postby Snorri1234 on Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:12 pm

Yay.
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Postby Genghis Khant on Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:55 pm

Leffe
Blonde or brune. I prefer blonde but they're both amazing.
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Postby unriggable on Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:03 pm

Saison Dupont. Had it. Top notch.
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Postby Iz Man on Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:25 pm

Genghis Khant wrote:Leffe
Blonde or brune. I prefer blonde but they're both amazing.

I've had the blond, quite tasty.
ImageNever tried the brune, I 'll have to put that on my list.
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Postby Snorri1234 on Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:31 am

Duvel. It's very tasty.
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Postby Iz Man on Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:32 pm

Snorri1234 wrote:Duvel. It's very tasty.
One of my favorites. Duvel epitomizes the Belgian Strong Golden Ale style.

Duvel
Origin: Province of Antwerp, Belgium
Style: Strong Golden Ale
Alcohol: 8.5% ABV

ImageWhen British beers were fashionable in Belgium, the family owned Moortgat brewery, at Breendonk, north of Brussels, produced a Scottish Ale, using McEwan's yeast. The brewery later decided to restyle it, keeping the yeast and ale fermentation, and the high strength, but using pale malts. The beer is hopped with Styrian Goldings and Saaz. A series of warm & cold fermentation and maturation lasts for over three months. "A devil of a beer", someone in the brewery observed of the first batch, hence the Flemish Duvel (pronounced Doov'l). The brew is extremely fragrant, and has flavors of orange zest, pear brandy, green apples, and a touch of smooth dryness.
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Postby btownmeggy on Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:59 pm

What does this mean "Strong Golden Ale"?

I mostly drink U.S. specialty and micro brews. Is there a popular U.S. American "Strong Golden Ale"?
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Postby Snorri1234 on Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:02 pm

btownmeggy wrote:What does this mean "Strong Golden Ale"?


Basically a beer that has a gold colour, akin to white beer, but is way stronger than normal beer.
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Postby btownmeggy on Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:03 pm

Snorri1234 wrote:
btownmeggy wrote:What does this mean "Strong Golden Ale"?


Basically a beer that has a gold colour, akin to white beer, but is way stronger than normal beer.


Stronger in taste or alcohol content?

White beer... like Hoegaarden?
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Postby Snorri1234 on Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:04 pm

btownmeggy wrote:
Snorri1234 wrote:
btownmeggy wrote:What does this mean "Strong Golden Ale"?


Basically a beer that has a gold colour, akin to white beer, but is way stronger than normal beer.


Stronger in taste or alcohol content?

White beer... like Hoegaarden?


Yes and yes. Though whitebeer is a little lighter than golden ale.
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Postby btownmeggy on Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:06 pm

Snorri1234 wrote:
btownmeggy wrote:
Snorri1234 wrote:
btownmeggy wrote:What does this mean "Strong Golden Ale"?


Basically a beer that has a gold colour, akin to white beer, but is way stronger than normal beer.


Stronger in taste or alcohol content?

White beer... like Hoegaarden?


Yes and yes. Though whitebeer is a little lighter than golden ale.


First yes = ??
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Postby Neoteny on Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:06 pm

btownmeggy wrote:
Snorri1234 wrote:
btownmeggy wrote:
Snorri1234 wrote:
btownmeggy wrote:What does this mean "Strong Golden Ale"?


Basically a beer that has a gold colour, akin to white beer, but is way stronger than normal beer.


Stronger in taste or alcohol content?

White beer... like Hoegaarden?


Yes and yes. Though whitebeer is a little lighter than golden ale.


First yes = ??


Stronger in taste and alcohol content, I assume.
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Postby spurgistan on Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:14 pm

It's just that the first question wasn't yes-or-no :lol:
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Postby Iz Man on Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:22 pm

btownmeggy wrote:What does this mean "Strong Golden Ale"?
Belgian golden ale is characterized by a very high ABV, hovering around 9%. It bares a resemblance to the abbey style tripel but it has several significant differences. Tripels are frequently cloudy where Duvel is quite clear (although it is bottle conditioned). It is a touch paler in color than Westmalle tripel and has a less fluffy, dense head. It also has a cleaner taste, revealing malt and hops as opposed to fruity esters or the character of yeast.
btownmeggy wrote:Stronger in taste or alcohol content?
White beer... like Hoegaarden?
Hoegaarden Imageis actually a Witbier (white beer). A Witbier is a pale golden, tart, refreshing style; thick with sediment and with a high level of carbon dioxide. With the pale malts, unmalted wheat and lack of filtration, it bares some resemblance to German HefeWiesse. The greatest different between Wit and its German cousin is the addition of spices, typically coriander and bitter Curacao orange peel.
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Postby btownmeggy on Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:28 pm

Iz Man wrote:
btownmeggy wrote:What does this mean "Strong Golden Ale"?
Belgian golden ale is characterized by a very high ABV, hovering around 9%. It bares a resemblance to the abbey style tripel but it has several significant differences. Tripels are frequently cloudy where Duvel is quite clear (although it is bottle conditioned). It is a touch paler in color than Westmalle tripel and has a less fluffy, dense head. It also has a cleaner taste, revealing malt and hops as opposed to fruity esters or the character of yeast.


New Belgium Trippel... mmm... one of my favs!
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Postby Iz Man on Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:35 pm

btownmeggy wrote:New Belgium Trippel... mmm... one of my favs!
Speaking of New Belgium..... I brewed up a batch of their Fat Tire several months ago. Came out pretty good.
My favorite Tripel Image
(to be reviewed when I have a bit more time)
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Postby Snorri1234 on Sat Feb 23, 2008 11:47 am

Neoteny wrote:
btownmeggy wrote:
Snorri1234 wrote:
btownmeggy wrote:
Snorri1234 wrote:
btownmeggy wrote:What does this mean "Strong Golden Ale"?


Basically a beer that has a gold colour, akin to white beer, but is way stronger than normal beer.


Stronger in taste or alcohol content?

White beer... like Hoegaarden?


Yes and yes. Though whitebeer is a little lighter than golden ale.


First yes = ??


Stronger in taste and alcohol content, I assume.


Yup. I suppose I was a bit unclear though.
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Postby Elijah S on Sat Feb 23, 2008 5:48 pm

Gimme some Miller's Genuine Draft and I'm just fine! :lol:
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