Belgian beer - the drink of the gods

The world of Belgian beer is like no other. For a small country it has a huge amount of beers, all of them unique and individual. The vast majority of them come with their own specially made glasses, designed to bring out the tastes and flavours of their unique characters.

Belgian beer denotes quality and ritual, in a world that seems increasingly geared towards fast-paced mass production, Belgian beer offers a genuine and real experience, with a taste that is fit for the gods. They are sipping drinks, they are drinks to take your time over, not just because they are so strong, which they are, but because they demand it.

The Trappist Beers

The Trappists are the kings of the Belgian beers and the most sought after. They are officially brewed by monks in working monasteries, with seven of them in total, six in Belgian and one just over the boarder in Holland/Netherlands. All of the Trappist brews represent extreme quality, as one of my servers said at my Devonshire Cat, "you simply can't go wrong with Trappist beers".

The breweries are:

Westmalle - Located in the Belgian province of Antwerp, the dubbel and the tripple are the only commercial beers sold and both of them are particular favourites of mine, absolutely divine on the palette. Both of them are subtly different brews of course, but the tripel in particular is very strong and lasts for ages on the tongue, forming little bubbles on the tip and never fading, (I could still taste this drink one hour after sipping it). For more information visit this site: http://www.trappistwestmalle.be/en/p...ersoorten.aspx
http://www.trappistwestmalle.be/images/biersoorten.jpg

The monks of the monastery drink this stuff daily, I could quite happily convert to Christianity and join them for it! (Though the Devonshire sells it readily enough.)

Chimay - The Chimay is the most readily available Trappist beer on the market, and in my opinion (and generally regarded) not quite as good as Westmalle, but still a wonderful beer. They come in three brews, the red, the white and the blue, increasingly going up in strength. You should be able to get hold of these in large supermarkets, go buy!
http://www.chimay.com/

http://butterlandnet.blox.pl/resource/ChimayRed2.jpg

Rochefort - These are monster beers, mostly dark and demanding in nature. They come in the Rochefort 6, 8 and 10, the 10 being 11.3% ABV, though that is not unusual for strong brews. These beers are deeply satisfying but you have to be in the mood to tackle the dark and bitter nature of them.
http://bb.cactii.net/images/rochefort-choc-sm.jpg

La Trappe - I believe that these have only recently been allowed to officially call themselves trappist, (2005), instead of the abbey label. Abbey beers are brewed under direction of monks, but they aren't officially allowed to be called Trappist beers. These beers are also some of my favourites, particularly the dubbel, which is dark red in colour but highly refreshing - those little bubbles are back! By far the main brews are the la Trappe Blonde, (highly refreshing), the La Trappe Dubbel, La Trappe Tripel and guess, yes that's right, the La Trappe Quadruple. Not quite as explosive as the Westmalle, but highly refreshing stuff.

http://thebeeremporium.com/media/2ndsept09%20001.JPG

Westvleteren - This is an extremely withdrawn brewery!!! Don't expect to be able to try this one without a trip directly to the brewery. Here you will be served the beer by one of the brewing monks. They are supposed to be the very finest of all the Belgian brews, but until I get out there I will never get to taste it for myself.

http://home.datacomm.ch/fiulijn1/LIL...tvleteren3.jpg

Achel - Achel brews five Trappist ales and I have yet to taste any of them for myself. I believe that the Devonshire only serves one of them, so I am going to try that next time I think, I'll tell you what I think then.

http://www.geo.uw.edu.pl/GALERIA/BEE...EL/achel04.gif

Orval - Orval produces only two brews, the Orval and the petite Orval. I've had the Orval brew before, but I can't remember what it was like! In my defence I do try a lot of brews and they are strong; so I'll just have to try another.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BxDwlkjd6x...B-%2BOrval.JPG

OK, so that is the Trappist beers, only about another 400 breweries to go!!! :banana:

So, after how many pints does one dedicate a whole thread to the Belgian beer?

;)

Ha, actually none today unfortunately, which is why I'd had to settle for looking at the pictures. And as for "a whole thread", we could devote this whole website to Belgian beer, it is that huge a subject, in fact we definitely need a Belgian Beer section at least, right next to serious discussions!

Oh, and most Belgian beers are not served as pints, but in smaller glasses of varying amounts, on average around the 330ml mark.

Here is where I am mostly to be found if I am not on lit net:
http://www.devonshirecat.co.uk/ :redface: it is where my serious contemplation occurs.

I'll be in belgium tomorrow and cant wait to have a few Cherry Kriks!

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Originally Posted by Niamh

I'll be in belgium tomorrow and cant wait to have a few Cherry Kriks!

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I do hope you're joking, extremely jealous if not.

What does Harold Bloom have to say about this? :D

Those brews do indeed look tasty, and I would love to go to the Devonshire Cat some day as it looks to be an establishment of supreme worth.

Sounds great. Excellent idea for a thread Neely. I have never been disappointed with a Belgium beer. :)

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Originally Posted by Neely

I do hope you're joking, extremely jealous if not.

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Oh i aint joking! :D will be sipping beer in Bruges. :D

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Originally Posted by JCamilo

What does Harold Bloom have to say about this? :D

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:lol::lol::lol:

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Originally Posted by The Comedian

Those brews do indeed look tasty, and I would love to go to the Devonshire Cat some day as it looks to be an establishment of supreme worth.

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Yes they are indeed very tasty brews and the Devonshire is indeed of supreme worth, it is quite a rare place, I mean 100 bottle beers, all served in their correct glasses by experienced and devoted bar staff! Of course if you are ever in the area pop in, more than likely I'll be there, especially at the weekends. I'm the good looking one in the corner...

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Originally Posted by Virgil

Sounds great. Excellent idea for a thread Neely. I have never been disappointed with a Belgium beer. :)

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Thanks, I'll will be adding another couple of chapters so keep tuned in.

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Originally Posted by Niamh

Oh i aint joking! :D will be sipping beer in Bruges. :D

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:eek2: No comment.

Lambics

Lambics are very distinctive and genuinely unique Belgian beers. They are produced via spontaneous fermentation, which means they are left out in the open in order to capture specific wild yeast cells. These only exist in the south west region of Brussels, and therefore, the drink can only ever be made there. After the magic fairies ferment the beer, it is then stored in large oak barrels for up to three years before it is ready to drink.

In terms of taste it could best be described as tasting like a light, sour cider and definitely not like standard beer. The pure Lambics can certainly take some getting used to, but once you have a taste for them (if you do) they can be extremely rewarding. They are often called the champagne of beers, due I suppose to them only been brewed in one particular area, like the French wine equivalent, and to the effervescent nature and quality of the drink.

The Cantillon brewery is perhaps the very best and most exclusive producer of pure Lambic beer. http://www.cantillon.be/br/3_1 and the Grand Cru is arguably the best of all: http://www.cantillon.be/br/3_104.

http://www.cantillon.be/br/ww/Cantillon_i012.jpg

Variations of Lambic: Gueuze, Faro and fruit beer

Because the Lambics can be quite sour they are blended with a variety of things to suit all palates. A Gueuze (pro. Gu-za) is a blend of young and old Lambic and is less sour than the pure form of Lambic.

http://web.mit.edu/~tcarlile/www/ima...llongueuze.jpg

A Faro contains added brown sugar and has a much sweeter tang to it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3384/...2467bf1e52.jpg

Fruit beers based on Lambics are numerous and very popular little numbers, including cherry Krieks, peach, strawberry, raspberry, banana, pineapple, anything really:

http://www.soshiok.com/images/0001/9...mermans_sk.jpg


I quite like the Timmermans strawberry which the Devonshire serves on tap (I don't have shares in the place honest).

http://www.devonshirecat.co.uk/thumb...man_fraise.jpg

Overall though, if I am going to have a Lambic I like to drink the Cantillon Grand Cru, a real Lambic, but the strawberry is highly refreshing though, it has to be said.

Here is a particular Belgian beer that me and my brother are addicted too at the moment, a very tasty little one called Delirium Blonde:

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:F...um-Tremens.jpg

It is easily noticeable by the pink elephant logo:

http://www.lowlander.com/img/db/Blon...um_tremens.png

It is so popular in Belgium that they named a whole bar after it, incidentally one of the most famous bars in Belgium: http://www.deliriumcafe.be/

Feel free to share any favourite Belgian beers, I would be greatly interested...:santasmil

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Achel - Achel brews five Trappist ales and I have yet to taste any of them for myself. I believe that the Devonshire only serves one of them, so I am going to try that next time I think, I'll tell you what I think then.

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http://www.geo.uw.edu.pl/GALERIA/BEE...EL/achel04.gif

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Orval - Orval produces only two brews, the Orval and the petite Orval. I've had the Orval brew before, but I can't remember what it was like! In my defence I do try a lot of brews and they are strong; so I'll just have to try another.

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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BxDwlkjd6x...B-%2BOrval.JPG

Yes, I had the Orval last night and it didn't suit me at all, very harsh bitter taste to it, I actually struggled to drink it, but that is the nature of beer, some you like and some you don't. I might be trying the Achel later, we'll have to see how that compares to the other Trappist brews...

The Achel is heaven. I want to be a monk...

Awesome thread!
You are making me salivate. My husband calls this beer porn. I have to stay on the wagon. b/c I am pregnant. I have had Chamay- red. Very powerful flavors and a high alcoholic content- 7-8%?
YUMMMMM!

What i currently have in my fridge, brought home all the way from Belgium.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...evue_kriek.jpg

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Originally Posted by jersea

Awesome thread!
You are making me salivate. My husband calls this beer porn. I have to stay on the wagon. b/c I am pregnant. I have had Chamay- red. Very powerful flavors and a high alcoholic content- 7-8%?
YUMMMMM!

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:lol: Yes, I had the red last night, it is indeed 7%, which is strong, but only average by Belgian standards, (the blue is 11%). I do love the red very much as well, deep and altogether so, so tasty.

You'll have to get some good Belgian beers for when the baby is born and celebrate in style!

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Originally Posted by Niamh

What i currently have in my fridge, brought home all the way from Belgium.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...evue_kriek.jpg

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Oh, yes you're the evil one who went to Belgium aren't you? How, er, how, did you get on there? :redface: Just been flicking through my city breaks brochure, taking in Brussels and Bruges, amongst others, ah...

That kriek looks yummy, I don't think that it would be sitting in my fridge for long.

I have only got one small Leffe and Erdinger in the fridge, drinkable, but hardly anything to get that excited about. It is certainly one of the drawbacks of tasting the finer things in life; it leaves one so deliciously unsatisfied...

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Originally Posted by Neely

Oh, yes your'e the evil one who went to Belgium aren't you? How, er, how, did you get on there? :redface: Just been flicking through my city breaks brochure, taking in Brussels and Bruges, amongst others, ah...

That kriek looks yummy, I don't think that it would be sitting in my fridge for long.

I have only got one small Leffe and Erdinger in the fridge, drinkable, but hardly anything to get that excited about. It is certainly one of the drawbacks of tasting the finer things in life; it leaves one so deliciously unsatisfied...

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It was a very magical place and sitting beside the canals drinking Kriek was pleasent. i highly recommend a visit. I have posted pics of Bruges in my blog and in the photos by you thread if you are interested.

Oh and it is no longer in my fridge. it is in a glass! :D

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Originally Posted by Niamh

It was a very magical place and sitting beside the canals drinking Kriek was pleasent. i highly recommend a visit. I have posted pics of Bruges in my blog and in the photos by you thread if you are interested.

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Sounds like heaven, I'll check those out, thanks.

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Oh and it is no longer in my fridge. it is in a glass!

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:lol::lol:

Come on folks I want to know your Belgian experiences. If you have not rushed out and sought some great Belgian beers after reading this thread I want to know why.

I will not accept the excuse that the cat ate your Belgian beer shopping list. Or that you have other things to do. I was not born yesterday. Do you want me to phone your parents and explain to them that you are just not pulling your weight? No, I didn't think so.

You may, or may not realise it, but drinking good quality Belgian beer is for YOUR benefit and not MINE. I have my qualification in Belgian beer, I am OK, but you haven't.

You may just think that all this is just a laugh, and that you are only here to "have a good time" but what about when you log off? Where are your so called friends then? Oh yes, I am talking about YOUR future here, and nobody else's, think about it.

Do you really want to spend the rest of your life drinking warm tap water? No, I didn't think so. But nobody can go out and get the fine quality Belgian ales for you, you have to do it for yourself and grab those Trappist brews with both hands.

Tut, really, when I was younger I didn't have all the support that you have now. Oh no. I was simply thrown out in the wide world of the pub and made to suffer by drinking chemical beers and weak real ales. It is only through hard work and dedication that I have come to appreciate the finer ales of those most noble Belgians.

But you, with all your "new fangled" internet have access to all the support that you need and you are just not applying yourself at all. It is just plain laziness and habit. Never mind if you are a wine drinker, or that you may be under age, that is not an excuse at all. Belgian beer is the drink of the gods and you are off task, so repeat after me:

I must drink Belgian beer and report to Mr Neely
I must drink Belgian beer and report to Mr Neely
...
...
X50

Now get out of my class, and don't return until you are truly sorry. We can all say sorry, but it is not the same unless we really mean it.

Now then, where was I? Oh yes, Timmerman please continue...

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Originally Posted by Neely

Belgian beer is the drink of the gods and you are off task, so repeat after me:

I must drink Belgian beer and report to Mr Neely
I must drink Belgian beer and report to Mr Neely
...
...
X50

...

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Done, Sir.

Mr Neely, Sir, you forgot to put fullstops at the end of your sentences but I took the liberty of typing them with a fullstop, Sir.

:lol::lol::lol:

Ah, yes, yes, put it down over there by the table. Take a seat.

Ahem, I marked your essay on the merits of Westmalle Triple during matins, and yes it had some interesting points in the conclusion, very er, well put, excellent, I think there is some promise in you yet child, capital, capital.

Well what are you sitting there for? Off you go to break, shoo, shoo, come on dear, I have to prepare for my lecture on the Abbey beers, capital, capital.

Belgian beers are really exceptional, unique, every beer has it's own special glass, too strong to drink it a lot and very expensive; at least in only pub in my town that has it.

Too bad they are hard (almost impossible) to get in my country.

Yes they certainly are exception beers and unique in many respects. They are stronger, but it then becomes more of a sipping drink, a drink to take your time over and savour, as opposed to standard strength British "session" beers which really demands drinking more quickly. They are more expensive in the UK than the standard drink £3-5 per bottle on average, as opposed to £2-3 per pint (so more than double in cost per amount) but I certainly think they are worth it. How much are they in your country (Russia?) compared to standard beers?

After drinking Belgian beer it is very difficult to drink anything else, although I do enjoy the German wheat beers and occasionally some of the better continental lagers. I also drink ciders, but it is now rare that I drink British real ales anymore, because I have been spoilt by the art of the Belgian brew and although there are some fair British beers, they simply can't compare to Belgian beers, especially the Trappist ones.

Professor Neely! Professor Neely! *raises his hand*

In my remote hub of the northern US, we have what are commonly called "Belgian style" ales and "Beers brewed in the Belgian tradition". Are these Belgian ales too?

I am eager to begin my studies of this subject, but I fear to leave my lovely Pabst Blue Ribbon behind me. Which reminds me of another question: Do Belgian ales come in 30-packs?

Hmm, unfortunately such brews are not authentic Belgian ales. If they say "Belgian style" or "brewed in the Belgian tradition” they are like copies of an original, ahem. But don’t be disheartened there dear fellow, such brews are I good starter I’m sure, and you can certainly get hold of real authentic brews over there if you look hard enough. I suggest that as your homework for the next week, capital, capital.

Belgian ales come by the bottle, always by the bottle and not in “packs”. Although you can order them by the crate, usually in 24s, but that would cost a lot. Look out for Chimay, le Trappe and Westmalle, you should be able to find those in the US they send enough over there, excellent, excellent, Carry on.

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Originally Posted by Neely

Hmm, unfortunately such brews are not authentic Belgian ales. If they say "Belgian style" or "brewed in the Belgian tradition” they are like copies of an original, ahem. But don’t be disheartened there dear fellow, such brews are I good starter I’m sure, and you can certainly get hold of real authentic brews over there if you look hard enough. I suggest that as your homework for the next week, capital, capital.

Belgian ales come by the bottle, always by the bottle and not in “packs”. Although you can order them by the crate, usually in 24s, but that would cost a lot. Look out for Chimay, le Trappe and Westmalle, you should be able to find those in the US they send enough over there, excellent, excellent, Carry on.

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they sell them in cans and packs in the airport in Brussels...

Cans and packs? Belgian beer in a can? Not the Trappist brews certainly, certainly not the Trappist brews, oh dear the thought of it. Now stand outside for shouting out, tut, tut. Oh, I feel faint.

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Originally Posted by Neely

Cans and packs? Belgian beer in a can? Not the Trappist brews certainly, certainly not the Trappist brews, oh dear the thought of it. Now stand outside for shouting out, tut, tut. Oh, I feel faint.

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Deep Breaths Neely! Its not the end of the world!!! That beer is for pure tourist commercial value. :nod:

Yes, yes, real, Belgian beer is bottled. While we are on the subject of commercial Belgian beer, Stella does not count as Belgian beer, it is the worst sort of commercial Belgian beer and is mostly brewed under licence in the UK and elsewhere anyway. Either way it is pretty poor stuff, it is a lager anyway and not a beer.

Edit: incidentally it is probably the best commercial lager available in the UK today, which says a lot about the rest...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Neely

They are more expensive in the UK than the standard drink £3-5 per bottle on average, as opposed to £2-3 per pint (so more than double in cost per amount) but I certainly think they are worth it. How much are they in your country (Russia?) compared to standard beers?

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Croatia :)
Normal beer 2 euros, Erdinger and Guinness 4 euros for 1/2 L those are prices in pubs.
In the store it's about half of those in pubs.
Belgian beers are available in only one pub and they are minimum 4 or 5 euro, depends is it 0,33 or 0,5 bottle.

Yes those prices are more or less consistant with those in the UK then, although your normal beer is cheaper. I found a website where I can order Belgian beer from the UK at cheaper prices, approximately half price of those in the bar if ordered in bulk - you can order the correct glass as well. I think I will stock up for Christmas and maybe a smaller order before.

Of course it is not just about the beer, but the ceremony that comes with it too. Last night I had a Westmalle Triple in an inferior real ale establishment - really, the landlady spilled a lot of it upon opening the bottle, she then continued to fill it into completely the wrong glass! Naturally, the head was far too big for the plume type container she placed it into and she didn't even knock off any cost, despite throwing half of it onto the floor and all over the side, you just don't get that sort of sloppy service my main drinking arena. Don't worry I made my feelings clear. :argue: (She even served me with the sediment, she didn't even bother to ask me if I wanted it or not, she probably didn't know what sediment was, god!) Belgian beer is not a drink that amateurs should be serving, it deserves much more respect than that and in future I will not be drinking Belgian ale in that particular public house again...at least the Erdinger they serve in there is in the correct glass. Disgusting. :mad:

I feel the need to revive this thread and to follow up with my lessons.

I did indeed find a Trappist brew in one of the local stores in my area. I purchased a fine looking bottle of Belgian beer, brought it home, and poured it into wide-bowled glass, with an appropriately literary name. Here's the proof:

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...01957-Copy.jpg

I drank hearty. But. . . . .I was disappointed. Spare throwing stones a moment! The brew tasted yeasty and stale, like bread left on the counter too long. I wondered if the beer was just too old -- it would not surprise me. I could taste the malty potential, the fruity undertones. But the purity was missing.

To be sure, I compared this beer with a personal favorite of mine -- a fine example of cheap American lager: Pabst Blue Ribbon.

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...01956-Copy.jpg

To my surprise the Pabst, whose cheap, mass-produced qualities go so well with a handful of Cool Ranch Doritos and a can of processed bean dip, seemed more crisp and complex than the aged Trappist, which tasted as though it had been lost in warehouse, baked in the long sun of an over-seas voyage, lost again in a warehouse, cooked in the trailer of a 16-wheeler, only to sit on the shelf of my local market for over a year.

Professor Neely -- could my taste in brew be faulty? Or does Belgian beer need to, well, not so old and well-traveled as mine so surely was?

Good man for bringing this most noble thread back to life! I myself have not had much of the Belgian brew of late, much, though I intend to indulge in style this Saturday. The pub I briefly frequent on Wed and Thu after university has Belgian beer but serves most of them in wholly the wrong type of glasses, it is really quite shameful, and I refuse to drink them in such a state - would you drink champagne from a dirty bucket? There are one or two that are served correctly but still...

Anyway, I digress. That Chimay white you have/had there should be a very refreshing little brew ( I have one in the fridge). It shouldn't sit heavy or yeasty on the palette at all, quite the opposite, it should be very light and a little effervescent on the tongue. The glass you have for it is perfect, so it does indeed suggest that the beer was off. Maybe it was sat in an unhealthy condition or was transported poorly. If it was left in bright sunlight too much it wouldn't have helped, it should be stored in a cool dark pantry wherever possible and treated with the utmost care.

Other than that it could be that your taste buds have not yet adjusted to the beer, maybe due to drinking duff beer, but I think that unlikely, most people more or less instantly recognise the quality of the stuff as long as it is not too challenging or dark in nature, which Chimay white isn't.

I hope that this experience has not put you off the art that is Belgian beer and I hope that you have better luck in the future. I would give the Chimay white another chance or find another Belgian beer if you can get your hands on one. Let me know how you get on. Good luck!

Temperature. Temperature is a very important factor too brother C. Don't over chill the Belgian beers, consult the label at all times - for many beers fridge temperature is just too cold and will kill much of the flavour of the drink.

I had one Chimay Red last night (I got a good enough glass) and it took me a full hour to drink! I savoured every drop. You have to let it sit awhile in the palette and let it dance on the tongue – it’s an art like I said. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with smashing down a few ice cold lagers once in a while, over the past few weeks I have had quite a few of those, but the pull of the special Belgian stuff always brings me back in the end.

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Originally Posted by Neely

Temperature. Temperature is a very important factor too brother C. Don't over chill the Belgian beers, consult the label at all times

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Ah! I did not consider temperature well-enough. I'm going to purchase another bottle this evening after work. I admit that I'm tempted to buy a local "Belgian-style" and trust it to be more fresh than the true Belgian that I had before. But I'm undecided on this point at the moment.

Hmm, let me know what you do, I have a Chimay White and Chimay Blue for tonight (and some English beer Spitfire). I would be tempted to try the Chimay again over the "Belgian style" stuff. What the hell does "Belgian style" mean anyway, it is either Belgian beer or it isn't?

These two English beers that I have in my fridge are quite drinkable, though of course not in the same league as the Belgians.

http://www.bishopsfinger.co.uk/images/bf500ml2.png

Quite a distinct, aromatic ale.

http://www.spitfireale.co.uk/userima...ttle-2_001.jpg

A fine maltly little brew.

Both of them are from the Shepherd's Neame brewery in Kent.

But even so, let's not sulley a Belgian beer thread with English beer, as fair as it may be. :thumbs_up

Edit: I'm enjoying the Chimay White (or tripel) right now Comedian and it is a little more yeasty than I last remembered it, not quite as light. It is very close to the excellent Westmalle tripel, though that is superior to Chimay. Not wanting to tell you how to drink, and at the danger of sounding a bit geeky, but try holding each sip of the beer in the mouth for 20 seconds or so and let it take over the palate - this is the way I drink most of my Belgian beers actually, especially the trappist brews. Try doing this with it being slightly off fridge temperature and compare it with a duff beer, and I think you will see the difference.