Wednesday 28 December 2011

De Dolle Stille Nacht

At last I get the chance to review what is possibly my favourite beer - it's certainly the beer I try to sample most when I'm in Bruges (this beer is a whopping 12% ABV so this is very much a night cap) also it makes up the greatest portion of the bottles I bring back home.

Stille Nacht (Silent Night) is the Christmas beer from Esen brewery De Dolle and unlike other winter beers this one is brewed without the heavy use of spices, it also has the highest density of any Belgian beer (27PI) having been boiled for 5 hours.

The beer pours a hazy amber that is crammed full of tiny yeast particles that swirl around the glass, topped with a large, fluffy, cream coloured head that quickly fades to leave a flat bubbly topping.

Heavenly, sublime, gorgeous, addictive aroma that explodes with sweet, jammy, caramel, alcoholic notes (right up my street) there's also citrus and banana but also a rich tropical (pineapple) edge. This beer really is one that you can just sit and smell.....beautiful.

Well with a great start like that you know the taste is going to be equally special......and boy it is - a deep caramel malt flavour with again citrus then ginger like heat and a honey sweetness balanced out by a lactic bitterness.

This truly is a flagship amoungst Belgian beers and one that I cherish - the beer I sample now is as special as my first taste back in 2005.      

Friday 23 December 2011

ST FEUILLIEN CUVEE DE NOEL

Next up the Christmas offering from a brewery just recently sampled - St Feuillien.

Pours a deep, dark, hazy, amber that is made all the more murkier with loads of suspended yeast - think of it being a beer globe....seasonal!
This is topped by a dense, creamy, tan coloured head that really lasts and lasts - very nice.

Gorgeous rich aroma of spiced bread, toffee like sweetness, dark dried fruits (figs, raisins and plums) but also a banana like perfume and along with that clove. Perhaps not as powerful as others in the style but no less enjoyable, just mellow.

Taste is all the above but turned up to 10, first sip and you get deep sweet malts and caramel, then hints of orange peel and cherries, spices like cinnamon and clove along with a gentle hop bitterness and finishing with a nice alcohol warmth.

Tuesday 20 December 2011

CORSENDONK CHRISTMAS ALE

Corsendonk takes it name from the Priory of Corsendonk in Oud-Turnhout, which was founded in 1398 and until its closure (by Austrian Emperor Joseph II) in 1784 had been a considerable brewery and malt house.
The Priory itself was rebuilt in the 70s by owners the Keersmaekers family and in 1982 they introduced the Corsendonk brand however now a days the beers are brewed by Du Bocq in Namur.

Corsendonk Christmas pours a clear, deep, dark, reddy brown that's finished with a large fluffy off-white head that really lasts the duration of the beer.
Great aromas of dark fruits and molasses, caramelised sugars and ripe bananas (yes this beer has a sweet aroma) a slight anise and clove note provide that seasonal magic.

Taste is rich with malts and fruits....kind of like plum bread coupled with gentle warming spices, a pronounced toffee like sweetness fills the mouth - nothing overdone just perfectly balanced, the finish has a gentle hop bitterness mixed with cocoa and a mild tinge of alcohol.


http://www.corsendonk.com/  

Monday 19 December 2011

WINTERKONINSKE

The next Christmas beer up for review is the winter offering from Sint-Truiden based brewery Kerkom - brewed since 2000 Winterkoninske is Flemish or winter king, also what appears at first sight to be a robin sat on a hop plant on the label could in fact be a wren because the Dutch word for this tiny bird is Winterkoninkje.

Pours a dark brick red topped with a thick, creamy, tan coloured head that slowly recedes to leave a constant centimetre covering.

Fantastic aroma that is full of dark fruits (figs, raisins and black cherries) light spices, caramel, sweet malts and also a slight rich cocoa note.

Taste follows with sweet caramelised malts, masses of dark, dried fruits, spices like nutmeg and clove, dark caramel sweetness and a mouth tingling licourice finish.


http://www.brouwerijkerkom.be/en/    

Monday 12 December 2011

ABBAYE DES ROCS SPECIALE NOEL

Now then, seeing as the festive period is upon us it seems only right to start sampling my collection of Christmas beers - most of which have sat in a cupboard for almost a year as I wait for the colder evenings and my taste buds yearn for the darker, spicier brews.........who the hell am I kidding I could drink these beers in high summer!

So on with our first and one from a brewery previously visited - Abbaye des Rocs and their seasonal release Speciale Noel.
Blimey this is a bit of gusher (but now thanks to a previous De Dolle accident all bottles are opened in a jug, just leave alone and let it settle) when I finally pour the contents of the bottle (and jug) into my glass what is produced is a deep, red, chestnut that is absolutely crammed full of large chunks of yeast (check the photo) but in no way do they detract from the joyous experience that follows, topped by a creamy, off white head that eventually fades to a thick cap.

Heavenly sweet aroma of  rich caramel, ripe dark fruits, brown sugar and dark malts, spices are also in the mix with a seasonal cinnamon edge along with a light dusting of liquorice for good measure - what a combination.

Initial taste is of sweet caramel malts then bags of rich, spicy dark fruits (plums and cherries) and speaking of spices this time cardamom is detected. Molasses and toffee follow along with a rich chocolate note, anise flavours are more prominent as the beer warms.

All in all a fantastic kick start to a Christmas beer extravaganza.    

Tuesday 15 November 2011

ST FEUILLIEN TRIPLE

A beer and indeed a brewery with a bit of history, the beers themselves have been brewed since 1873 by the Friart family and now the 4th generation continue the process. The history of the breweries name goes back much further.

The story goes that way back in the 7th century an Irish monk by the name of Feuillien came to Europe to preach the gospel. Unfortunately in 655 whilst travelling through the charcoal forest (now the town of Le Roeulx) our hero of the moment was martyred and beheaded.
In his honour Feuillien's disciples constructed a chapel on the very site of his martyrdom, which in 1125 became the Abbey of Premontres, later to become known as the Abbaye St-Feuillien du Roeulx.

Now to try the beer, St Feuillien Triple pours a rich golden amber with a hazy appearance and topped with a dense, creamy, brilliant white head that soon falls to leave a constant finger width covering.
Complex aroma of fruits and faint spices - the usual suspects are there banana, pear and tart apples, a slight musty/grassy hop note is detected along with a clove spiciness.

A delicate taste that at first is caramelised malts then floral hops cut through along with a bready/biscuity edge. The clove like spiciness is back in there but also a fruity (possibly tropical) sweetness finish, a lively, carbonated mouthfeel keeps the flavours dancing around your taste buds.

All in all a very decent Triple and one (and a brewery) I'll revisit again no doubt.


http://www.st-feuillien.com/ 

  

Monday 31 October 2011

SMISJE SPECIAAL

Seeing today is Halloween it seems only right to open something that fits the bill, a pumpkin beer pherhaps? Well for me there is only one and yes it's from my favourite brewery Smisje (now Smiske) sadly though it's one that Johan no longer brews (fingers crossed for a revival)

Older bottle on left (will I open it?)  Recent bottle on right 

Smisje Speciaal pours a very cloudy, caramel colour with a large bubbly off white head that slowly falls to leave behind a constant, creamy, finger width covering.

Aroma is simply wonderful, first you get spices (clove, nutmeg) then lots of fruits (pears, bananas) along with herbs then a sweet, almost caramel / toffee roundness. Do I get pumpkin? well there is an earthy / musky edge to it......could that be the magical ingredient?


                                                                            
Taste.......YES! You can detect pumpkin - that sweet, earthy, musty note, again spices fill you taste buds (almost black pepper) sweet malts carry the flavour along with a light citrus edge that provides the perfect balance. Alcohol is detected on the finish (this beer is 10.5% ABV) but not burning just a nice glow, it really is amazing just how drinkable this beer is.

Smisje continue to excite me and their retired beers continue to amaze me.


http://www.smisje.be/

    Saturday 22 October 2011

    PATRASCHE

    Next up a beer brewed by De Proefbrouwerij for brouwerij de Arend in Hoboken, Patrasche is named after the dog in the story "A Dog of Flanders"

    Pours a dark nut brown with a slight red hue, topped with large, creamy tan coloured head that slowly fades, leaving behind a lasting centimetre covering.

    Pleasant aroma of sweet roasted malts, brown sugar, dried fruits, hints of liquorice and faint chocolate notes. Taste is sweet and fruity with roasted malts, dark fruits, caramel, raisin also a slight oak bitterness in the finish.

    An easy drinking beer, good but at the same time middle of the road.  

    Wednesday 12 October 2011

    DEUS (BRUT DES FLANDERS)

    Last week was a time for celebration in our household, so this called for a special bottle. What do we open to toast this special occasion.....Champagne - no way, Belgian beer is our passion so it had to be DeuS, a beer that
    can easily be classed as a Champage beer (even the bottle follows suit)

    Tightly holding the cork whilst carefully and slowly twisting the bottle no more than two turns is enough, the pressure within does the rest and a loud, characteristic "POP" rings out as the cork is fired from the neck.
    Quickly but smoothly pouring produces a clear amber beer that is intensely carbonated being crammed full with streams of tiny bubbles, topped with a large white foamy head that slowly fades - incredibly Champagne like in its appearance.

    Powerful aroma of spiced green apples, dry floral hops, alcohol (well this beer is 11.5% ABV) also citrus...lemon almost and a musky / yeasty finish.

    Taste is full of fruits - grapes, crisp pears, lemons and also a note of spiced bananas, with a flowery (almost herbal) edge, bready malts and a honey like sweetness in the finish. The mouth feel is as you'd expect carbonated and dry but this just helps to keep the flavour alive.


    http://www.bestbelgianspecialbeers.be/main_eng.html  
     

    Tuesday 27 September 2011

    SMISJE KUVEE ELEKTRIK 979W

    My first entry for a while (internet problems) so it only seems right that I return with something a bit special....something that sadly is no longer brewed.....and something from one of my favourite breweries - Smisje, the beer in question Kuvee Elektrik 979W.

    Pours a dark, hazy, chestnut brown, topped with a huge, bubbly, tan coloured head that quickly collapses in on itself to leave behind a thin constant covering.
    Wonderful, appealing, complex aroma of bitter dark cocoa, dark dried fruits, caramel, roasted malts (almost bread like) before finishing with a definite hoppy / zesty tingle.

    Taste is full of woody, roasted malts upfront but then brown sugar sweetness comes through along with again cocoa bitterness and dark sour fruits combined with a spicy mouthfeel, grassy earthy hops in the end providing the perfect balance.

    Thursday 4 August 2011

    GULDEN DRAAK

    A beer that takes it's name from the golden dragon that sits on top of the Belfry of Ghent, Gulden Draak is instantly recognisable in its white bottle complete with bold black band and golden dragon.

    From that beautiful white bottle a dark (almost black) beer pours, with it rises one of the largest heads on any Belgian beer, enormous, tan coloured and my does it last, slowly falling to leave a rocky covering.

    Powerful, deep aroma of dark roasted candy malts, liquorice, raisins and cherries, caramel, spices and yes alcohol. This really is a beer that you can just sit back and inhale, without tasting you know this something magical, instantly becoming a favourite.

    Taste perfectly backs up the aroma, plenty of rich, roasted sweet malts, candy sugar (almost toffee like) smooth caramel, dark ripe fruits, a slight dose of spicing and unlike the aroma chocolate.....if you enjoyed the aroma the taste will knock you for six - outstanding!

    A beer that I cannot praise highly enough, once tasted you'll be a fan for life.

         

    Monday 1 August 2011

    SAXO

    Time for another cracking beer from Falmignoul brewery Brasserie Caracole and another beer that features the trademark snail on the label.

    A hazy straw/gold coloured beer with a large bubbly head that slowly recedes to a thin creamy lasting covering. Aroma is very fruity, full of apricot and citrus, then the typical heady combination of banana and clove along with a hoppy/bready note before finishing with a twist of citrus/lemon.

    Taste starts sweet (almost honey like) then bready malts are detected along with light hops and subtle spices, orchard fruits like apple and pear  are there as well before finishing with a delicate floral edge.

    Medium carbonation provides the perfect mouthfeel, lively yet creamy and smooth........another winner.      

    Monday 4 July 2011

    DE DOLLE OERBIER

    Time for another great beer from a great brewery, Oerbier by De Dolle. Oerbier means original beer and is a hark back to the homebrew the brothers produced when students.

    The words Nat en Straf on the glass mean Wet and Strong an indication to the 9% ABV content. The little yellow person on the glass and label is the Oerbier man, in his hands he holds a brewers fork and a glass of beer.

    Like its sister beer (Dulle Teve) this also took a while to patiently pour, but as the saying goes "good things come to those who wait"


    Oerbier pours a murky deep brown with a slight ruby tinge topped with large creamy tan coloured head that hangs around, a really nice looking beer.

    Complex aroma of yeast and malts, tart dark fruits (figs and sour cherries) then roasted dark caramel and a slight sharp (red wine barrels) finish.
    Taste perfectly compliments the aroma, sweet malts, deep dark fruits (raisin, prune, plum and again tart cherries)  hops cut through to balance things out along with a slight spicy clove like finish.
    This beer has definite tart, vinous qualities but not overbearing so, intriguing, original and a must try.


    http://www.dedollebrouwers.be/

    Tuesday 28 June 2011

    LAMORAL TRIPEL

    Next up a beer with a noble connection - Lamoral, Count of Egmont was a wealthy 16th century general and statesman in Flanders, whose beheading (along with the Count of Horne) in 1568 on the Grand Place in Brussels led to public protests throughout the Netherlands, which in turn led to resistance against the Spanish and the eventual independence of the Netherlands.

    That's enough history we're here for the beer -

    Lamoral pours a hazy, deep orange, topped with an impressive large bubbly white head that slowly falls, clinging to the side of the glass on its downward path - so from the start an attractive looking beer.

    Very nice aroma, full of sweet floral hops, ripe banana, caramel malts and honey with notes of citrus on the finish

    Sweet almost caramel taste with a citrus zestiness to it, a slight crisp/hoppy bite with notes of pine and a fruity orange finish.

    Sunday 26 June 2011

    DE DOLLE DULLE TEVE

    De Dolle Brouwers (the mad brewers) started life in 1980 formed by three brothers (Jo, Kris and Ward Herteleer) and all keen home brewers. After winning a local brewing competition they purchased an old defunct brewery in Essen, West Flanders.

    Nowadays Kris is the master brewer and very much the face of De Dolle, often spotted wearing his infamous bright yellow 'Oerbier man' jacket and oversized bow tie (like the neck of the bottles)
    Ward is predominantly a silent partner whilst Jo lives and works in South Africa.

    Now for the Dulle Teve, this roughly translates as 'Mad Bitch' and boy is this an angry beer - eager to escape the bottle. Just a gentle prise of the bottle opener on the cap is enough to send it flying a full 2 feet with it a loud pop as the gas contained within escapes.
    That lively character carries over into the pour, this beer took 5 separate pours to fill the glass - even the slightest, most gentle pours generates a giant towering head.

    Anyway once poured Dulle Teve is a hazy dark amber beer that is crammed full of tiny dark yeast particles that coat the bottom of the glass. The enormous, fluffy, dense, white head that dominates the glass slowly recedes to leave a constant finger width covering.

    Joyous huge aroma of citrus fruits, beady malts, honey sweetness, tropical richness and a prickly ginger like spice finish.

    Gorgeous strong and yeasty taste with a light caramel sweetness, bitter floral hops cut through along with a  spicy (clove) note, an intense fruity but at the same time peppery taste fills your taste-buds as the beer warms, the finish is dry and herbal..................complex, unique and a must try.



    http://www.dedollebrouwers.be/

    Monday 13 June 2011

    TRIPEL KOLK

    Brewed by the Boelens family in the village of Belsele in the Waasland region of Belgium, an agricultural area south-west of Antwerp.
    Kris Boelens is today's owner and brewer, taking over the beer distribution from his father in 1980 - upgrading the family's old brewery, installing new stainless steel tanks. His first commercial speciality beer Bieken was brewed in 1993, an ale sweetened with honey.

    Now on with the Klok, pours a hazy deep yellow with a finger width, creamy white head that soon settles down to a constant thin covering.
    Fantastic deep aroma fills the glass - pine like hops, citrus, wheat, banana and also a spicy/biscuit bite.
    Taste backs up that wonderful aroma - malty, citrus, grassy hops, spices (clove) and a flowery perfume in the finish. Lively carbonation provides a nice lasting mouthfeel.......simply an excellent Tripel.



    http://www.brouwerijboelens.be/    

    Sunday 12 June 2011

    REINAERT GRAND CRU

    Now for a beer that for my blog is the first to bear the name Grand Cru. This is a term more commonly linked with wine and translates as Great Growth, an indication that a vineyard is known for its favourable reputation in producing wine.
    When written on a beer label it's an indication that this is a breweries more elaborate, complex release.

    Initially RGC pours a beautiful crystal clear brick red but as I also added the yeast sediment at the bottom of the bottle the result was a hazy dark amber beer that shimmered with a red hue, topped by a lovely large, dense, fluffy white head, that slowly faded down to a constant cap.

    Pleasant sweet aroma that is malty with rich candy fruits, a slight spice note is also present with a bready/hoppy finish.
    Flavour is sweet roasted malts, tart dried fruits (spicy banana) and roasted cocoa, a warming alcohol note on the finish makes this a thoroughly enjoyable Grand Cru.     

    Sunday 5 June 2011

    ABBAYE DES ROCS BRUNE

    The brewery was founded in 1979 in the small southern Belgian village of Montignies-sur-Rocs in Hainaut province, between Mons, Belgium and Valenciennes, France. The brewery itself is located just a few hundred yards from the ruins of a 12th century abbey (Abbey des Rocs) and it is from this that the brewery takes their name.

    Pours a deep, dark, brick red that appears cloudy but is in fact full of yeast particles, topped with a gorgeous, massive, tan coloured creamy head that slowly fades to leave behind a constant centimetre covering.

    Divine, deep aroma of sweet candy, chocolate, brown sugar, dark fruits (figs and cherries) finishing with a roasted edge - and with a start like that you know you are in for something special.

    Taste.....wow, sweet roasted caramel malts fill your mouth along with light spices then a definite cherry fruitiness follows, providing a slight tart note that perfectly balances out the sweetness. As the beer warms more flavours emerge - chocolate and oak, a light carbonation gives the perfect mouthfeel.


    http://www.abbaye-des-rocs.com/       

    Monday 23 May 2011

    WESTMALLE TRIPEL

    OK lets continue the Trappist tasting with another outstanding beer, this time from the Westmalle brewery.
    Just 3 beers are produced, the dark 7% abv Dubbel, the golden 9.5% abv Tripel and also (like the orval below) a lower strength (5% abv) patersbier (monks beer) named Westmalle Extra. The abbey also produce their own milk and from this a semi-hard Trappist cheese.

    First brewed in 1934 this was the first beer to be labelled as a Tripel, the current recipe dating back to 1956 - so folks here we have the Tripel Daddy.

    Pours a hazy pale orange the glass is alive with streams of bubbles, topped with a creamy white head that slowly falls to leave behind a lasting thin covering.

    Aroma is sweet, malty and fruity (bananas are prominent) with a hop bitterness on the finish. Beautiful creamy sweet flavour with a fruity / citrus (orange) edge, a dry hop bitter finish - and when I say finish I mean long finish, the carbonated mouthfeel lasts and lasts............the original Tripel and certainly amoungst the best.

    Also note the same bottle (minus the label) is used at the other Trappist brewery Westvleteren.



    http://www.trappistwestmalle.be/

    Thursday 19 May 2011

    ORVAL

    Time I think for another Trappist beer and one that is instantly recognisable on any shelf, housed as it is in its "skittle" shaped 330ml bottle.

    Brewed within the walls of the Abbay Notre-Dame d'Orval in the far south Gaume region of Belgium near the Luxembourg border, the brewery produces just two beers, Orval and Petite Orval.

    Orval is the main brew and has been in production since 1931, where as the Petite Orval is a "patersbier" and at just 3.5% abv is brewed by the monks for their own comsumption, although not generally for sale it can be bought at the monastery itself or at the nearby cafe.

    On with the taste, Orval pours a hazy bright amber with an impressive white creamy head that lasted and lasted, a beautiful looking beer.
    Aroma is simply amazing, the glass explodes with pine, citrus, floral crisp hops, green apple but there's also a nice rounded sweetness to the finish.
    Taste for a beer with 6.2% abv is outstanding, instantly tart with a dry hop bitterness, malty, sweet caramel citrus and a dry, spicy, refreshingly carbonated finish.

    All in all this is ONE HELL of a remarkable beer, the recipe is simple - do one thing and do it right.


    http://www.orval.be/an/FS_an.html
     

    Thursday 12 May 2011

    BUSH DE NUITS

    The first oak aged beer on my blog comes from Wallonia's oldest brewery Brasserie Dubuisson.

    Bush de Nuits starts its life as the Christmas beer Bush de Noel that is then matured for 6 months in large (228 ltr) Bourgogne oak barrels that once housed Cotes de Nuits from the world famous "Nuits St. Georges" vineyard - this is the brainchild of Hughes Dubuisson as a result of a wine buying trip to Burgundy.                          
    The result, a beer with a whopping 13% ABV, packaged in 75cl screen printed bottles.

    Pours a cloudy chestnut with a thin white head that as is to be expected with the high ABV very quickly fades to leave behind a constant ring.

    Intriguing aroma that starts sweet and toffee like but then is vinous with red skin grapes and oaky tannins and a slight alcoholic sour note to finish.

    Taste is not as sweet as the base beer, the oak ageing imparting a slight sour edge (and changing its character completely) rich caramel malts, wood, liquorice and dark tart fruits fill (morello cherries)your taste buds - with that a slight carbonated mouth feel and a long finish.

    This is a method (oak ageing) that I feel will divide many people's opions, the oaky/wine taste may seem a little alien and miss-placed in a beer - me....I absolutely loved it and cannot wait to try again, this really does lift an already great beer to new heights.



    http://www.br-dubuisson.com/

        
      

    Tuesday 3 May 2011

    ULTRABRUNE

    Pours a deep, dark brick red with a large and bubbly beige head that very quickly falls to leave a thin band. Aroma is wonderful, instantly rich toffee combined with malty dried fruits and a syrupy, spicy finish.....yum.

    Taste is not as sweet as the aroma suggested, initial taste is of rich dark fruits (figs and raisins) then sweet roasted malts take over and then a slight hint of spice in the finish.

    For a beer packing a 10% punch it is very smooth drinking with just the right balance of carbonation also hardly any alcohol is noticeable - yes it is there but more of a warming glow rather than roaring burn.


    http://www.brasserieecaussinnes.be/             

    Sunday 24 April 2011

    SMISJE WOSTYNTJE

    Like my previous entry from Smisje (Catherine) this is also a beer that sadly is no longer brewed, so each time one is tasted it's one crossed off forever.

    Originating in 1995, the brewery was set up by former printer and home brewer Johan Brandt, Smisje started life as De Regenboog (the rainbow) the name of his former printing business and was located in the West Flanders town of Assenbroek, a suburb of Bruges. His first commercial beer was simply called 't Smisje (little blacksmith) the name of a local landmark blacksmiths house near the breweries original location.

    In 2008 the brewery relocated to the village of Mater in Oudenaarde, East Flanders and with that move came a new name Smisje. Despite its small size Smisje kept a handful of beers in regular production but also a large variety of seasonal and commissioned brews - many of which feature honey, flowers, berries and spices, largely due to the fact that Johan is also a keen bee keeper.

    Smisje Blonde - brewed with linden blossom
    Honingbeer - brewed with honey
    Sleedoornbier - brewed with sloe berries
    Vuuvre - brewed with coriander and orange peel
    Wostyntje - brewed with Tourhout mustard seeds
    Guido - brewed with honey and raisins
    BBBourgondier - brewed with valerian root and lemon balm

    In 2010 it was announced that Johan would be discontinuing all the current line up and focus on a new hoppy blonde called Smiske, the only beer that would be saved is the Christmas brew now called KerstSmiske.


    So now I open one of my two remaining bottles of Wostyntje, when will I open my last remaining bottle...I don't know, will I see it again on our next visit to Bruges.....I hope so.

    Pours a hazy bright amber topped off with a huge, creamy, long lasting white head (like the Catherine it took 3 pours to fill the glass)
    Interesting aroma of malts, bread, fruits, spice (mustard?) with a slight sharp hoppy finish.
    Taste starts with yeast and sweet candy sugar then you get the mustard spice filling the mouth, along with it the heat - but more in the background, not smack you in the face (no this isn't a beer with a dollop of Colemans stirred in) the mustard is perfectly balanced, any more would render the beer undrinkable.


    http://www.smisje.be/    

    Monday 18 April 2011

    AFFLIGEM TRIPEL

    This abbey beer is brewed by Affligem in the Flemish village of Opwijk, abbey beers differ from Trappist beers in the fact that they are made by commercial breweries under licence from an existing abbey or they may take the name of an abbey ruin for their beer - until the First World War the Affligem beers were in fact brewed at the Affligem monastery.


    Pours a hazy amber with a small bubbly white head that quickly fades to a lasting thin ring.
    Beautiful Tripel aroma of clove and banana but also yeasty with a sweet buttery caramel edge and a faint citrus finish.
    Taste is initially fruity (tart apples/pears) and straw like then sweet caramel is detected with a crisp light bitterness cutting through to provide the perfect balance, the finish is long and dry........a cracker.






    http://www.affligembeer.be/ 

    Wednesday 13 April 2011

    SMISJE CATHERINE

    Where as my previous entry from Oudenaarde brewery Smisje (the Xmas release Kerst) is a beer I'm glad to say that brew master Johan is continuing to produce - sadly however this is one that is no longer, lost during the transition from Smisje to Smiske.
    Many others from the Smisje line up also disappeared...but I'm happy to say a lot of which I have safely stored away waiting for that special moment when I open them.

    Right on with the tasting and my was this a lively one, pours a hazy dark brown with a slight red hue topped with a ferocious tan coloured head - so lively that i could only pour a third of the bottle in the glass before the towering head was threatening to overspill, the remaining contents took another two slow pours to empty into the glass - even then the head took a full 5 minutes to settle.

    Aroma is oaky roasted malts, brown sugar, dark fruits, hops and spices . Taste is caramel fruity raisin, roasted liquorice, molasses and a bitter coffee note in the finish.
    Classed as an Imperial Stout I feel that it's not quite roasted enough and maybe a little too sweet to be labelled so, but then seeing as Stouts aren't really my thing lets class it as an Imperial Belgian Dark Ale - that way this beer makes sense.          






    Tuesday 12 April 2011

    TRAPPISTES ROCHEFORT 10

    Up for review next is another Trappist beer, brewed inside the  Abbey of Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy near the town of Rochefort in the province of Namur, close to the Ardennes.
    Just three beers are produced, all brewed in accordance with the trappist laws, the monk at Rochefort are perhaps the most secretive about the brewing process and the brewery is not open to the public, in fact the water for the beers is drawn from a well located inside the monastery walls.


    Now to try, Rochefort 10 pours a hazy dark brown with a tan coloured head that slowly fades to a thin constant covering.
    Aroma is simply beautiful, sweet chocolate cake, toffee, dark fruits, slight spice hit ... this could almost be pureed Christmas cake in a glass, a beer that I could happily sniff all night.


    Taste ...well with an aroma like that you know you`re in for a treat, sweet chocolate, caramelised roasted malts, again rich dark fruits, ( definite raisin ) then a slight spice/anise finish, it`s so smooth and well balanced, for a beer with 11.3% alcohol, it truly is one of the great Quads.    


    http://www.abbaye-rochefort.be/




         

    Sunday 10 April 2011

    LA CHOUFFE

    Brasserie d' Achouffe based in Achouffe was founded in 1982 by brothers-in-law Christian Bauweraerts and Pierre Gobron as a hobby, however in 1984 Pierre decided to quit his job and concentrate on the brewery, joined 4 years later by Christian.
    The gnome on the label of their beers (and the breweries logo) was the idea of Christian who had seen the image on a painting used by a local charity to raise money for the victims of a storm, Pierre agreed to the idea and asked a colleagues daughter to design a gnome drawing for the brewery - by coincidence Chouffe is local dialect for gnome and is almost the name of the home of the brewery.

    Pours a hazy copper with a large bubbly creamy white head, amazing crisp floral aroma combined with sweet spices and citrus fruits.

    Tasting backs up the aroma with fantastic citrus/spice notes ( cloves most definitely ) hops are in there as well with the 8% alcohol giving a smooth warmth. A brewery that never fails to deliver and for a beer that carries their name........it's a stunner.




    http://www.achouffe.be/en

    Monday 4 April 2011

    ST BERNARDUS ABT 12

    Now for a beer with a bit of history and one that is often confused with my previous entry and mistaken as a Trappist - an easy thing to do because until recently it used to be.

    A quick history - shortly after WWII the Trappist monastery of St Sixtus decided to stop the commercialisation of their beers but would continue to brew for their own consumption (and sell to the public at the gates of the monastery)
    They contacted local Watou cheesemaker Evarist Deconinck and asked if he would brew their Trappist beers, he agreed and from that day on he brewed under contract the Sint Sixtus beers.

    In 1992 however the contract was discontinued in order to adhere to the new definitions of a Trappist beer, to put it simply
    *the beer must be brewed within the walls of a Trappist abbey and be brewed by the monks (or under their supervision)
    *the purpose of the brewery must not be for financial profit

    As a result the words St Sixtus were forbidden on all labels and glasses and instead changed to St Bernardus (also the picture of the monk changed) The monastery of St Sixtus once again took on the role of brewers of their beers and continue to brew the official Trappist beers - many will be familiar with their chart topping beer Westvleteren 12.




    Pours murky dark brown with a reddish hue if held to the light, topped with a large off white head that slowly fades to a thin covering.

    Aroma is sweet and slightly burned like demerara sugar, chocolate malts then fruity with banana yeasty notes.
    Taste is like dense fruitcake with chocolate toffee edge, faint hops are also in there and a malty bready finish - despite the high ABV it's extremely well hidden.....one to sip because it's far too easy to knock back.







    http://www.sintbernardus.be/ 

    Sunday 3 April 2011

    WESTVLETEREN 12

    No Belgian beer blog  would be deemed complete if it didn't contain what is without doubt Belgiums most wanted, most hunted, most desired beer - the infamous Westvleteren 12.

    Brewed by the monks at the Trappist Abbey of St Sixtus, situated near Poperinge in West Flanders - they make just three beers, one blonde and two dark, all sold in plain bottles with no labels , each identified by its coloured cap.

    Westvleteren Blonde - Green cap 5.8%
    Westvleteren 8 - Blue cap 8%
    Westvleteren 12 - Gold cap 10.2%


    As with all other Trappist breweries, beer is sold to financially support the monastery and for local charitable causes - no advertising is done except for a board outside stating what  beers are available daily.
    Sales of the beer are by appointment only (though each person visiting the abbey-owned cafe In de Vrede can purchase six bottles from the gift shop and sample the beer from the bar) Buyers are limited to just two cases of beer per month (for the 12 just one) and these must be ordered on the "beer phone" beforehand, the monks will not sell to individuals chancing their luck who just turn up at the abbey - the reason is to eliminate reselling, the abbey is very much against any resale of their beer, likewise no wholesalers or pubs are supplied with their beer.

    Now it's time to taste, carefully uncapping and pouring this piece of heaven produces a hazy dark brown beer with a creamy tan coloured head that slowly fades to a constant ring. Aroma is amazing, even pouring the beer wonderful aromas fill your senses, smooth chocolate, rich dark autumnal fruits and warming alcoholic spices with a sweetness that suggests creme brulee - a beer i could happily sit and sniff all night.

    Taste starts caramel sweet with figs, plums and cocoa but then a roasted depth that borders on tobacco appears, creamy smooth and with almost no hint of alcohol...magnificent. Flavours are perfectly balanced and the mouthfeel lightly carbonated - this is a Quad by all others will be judged.

    Rated as the worlds best beer and subsequently the worlds most sought after, it is a beer that can rightly wear that crown.


     http://www.sintsixtus.be/eng/home.htm  

    Sunday 27 March 2011

    't SMISJE KERST

    It's about time that my blog contained a beer from one of my favourite breweries...Oudenaarde's microbewery Smisje  (formally De Regenboog and now Smiske)  so i'll start with an absolute beauty and one that i'm glad to say brewmaster Johan Brandt is continuing to brew, his festive beer Smisje Kerst  (the move from Smisje to Smiske sadly saw the loss of the majority of the line up)

    Pouring gives a hazy dark amber beer with a large, dense, creamy head that quickly fades to a finger width constant covering.

    Aroma is sweet and malty also light citrus and spices are detected. Taste is rich and sweet to start with then spiced malts fill the mouth with slight bitter hops providing the perfect balance - for a beer with a big 11% ABV  it is extremely well hidden, a beer that is dangerously easy to drink.

    http://www.smisje.be/ 

    Tuesday 22 March 2011

    GRIMBERGEN OPTIMO BRUNO

    Careful pouring of this Barley Wine produces a clear ruby brown beer with a massive creamy tan coloured head that lasts, slowly fading over the course of the drink.

    Aroma is caramel/toffee malts with sweet fruits (cherries and plums) and a spiced hop bitterness.

    Flavour is long lasting with dark roasted malts, candy sweet dark dried fruits (figs and raisins) and a warming 10% alcohol finish.

    http://www.maes.be/

    Sunday 20 March 2011

    GENTSE TRIPEL

    Pours a cloudy hazy yellow with a huge bubbly white head that slowly fades to leave a constant finger width covering....a very nice looking beer.

    Aroma is instantly sweet citrus but then bready and fruity, taste follows with sweet banana and spices then ends with a dry carbonated finish.

    http://www.vansteenberge.com/

    Saturday 12 March 2011

    URTHEL SAMARANTH QUADRIUM

    Urthel was established in 2000, a creation of husband and wife team Bas and Hildegard Van Ostaden.
    The beers are designed and brewed by Hildegard whilst the artwork and packaging are the result of husband Bas.

    Urthel Samaranth was originally created for their wedding in 2002, to serve instead of wine, it was such a success that it's been part of the line-up since.

    Pouring gives a hazy deep amber beer with a finger thick white head that quickly fades.
    Aroma is full on, intensely malty, sweet and packed with dark candy fruits, a slight alcohol note is detected as it warms.

    Taste is sweet and i do mean syrupy sweet (but hey i do like sweet strong beers) also spices come through and a figgy/raisin richness with a lively carbonated mouthfeel.

    Labeled as a Quadrupel (hence Quadrium) i feel that this beer is just too sweet to fall into this catagory - more like a Barley Wine.

    http://www.urthel.com/

    Saturday 5 March 2011

    QUINTINE AMBREE

    Hazy, deep red beer with a large off white compact head that slowly fades to a white ring.

    Aroma is sweet and candy like with red berries and a slight alcohol note as it warms.

    Taste is sweet burnt sugar malts with a hop bitterness cutting through in the finish.....my first beer from Ellezelloise and a good start.

    http://www.brasserie-ellezelloise.be/

    Friday 4 March 2011

    TRIPEL KARMELIET.

    Brewed by bry.Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet is still made to an authentic 1679 beer recipe originating in the former Carmelite monastery in Dendermonde.

    Now for a bit of personal history, this beer (along with a few others like La Chouffe) is responsible for my love of Belgian beers, so it's one i have a soft spot for.

    This outstanding beer pours a golden bronze with a huge fluffy white head that very slowly fades. Aroma is a mix of flowery citrus spice with a banana grain kick...a magnificent smelling beer.

    Taste is fresh, spicy lemon with clove and banana again, very nice mouthfeel - carbonated, crisp yet smooth.

    A beer that is regularly seen on most (Belgian) beer menus and with good reason, consistently good quality and a beer that would make a fantastic introduction into the wonderful world of Belgian beers.


    http://www.bestbelgianspecialbeers.be/main_eng.html

    Thursday 3 March 2011

    NOSTRADAMUS

    Next an outstanding dark beer from Falmignoul brewery bry. Caracole.

    Pours a cloudy ruby brown with a large, compact yet fluffy beige head.

    Wonderful enticing sweet aroma, burnt sugar, caramel and dark dried fruits.

    Tasting backs up that gorgeous aroma with fruity candy sweetness and a deffinate liquorice edge, the 9% alcohol providing a smooth warmth.

    Perfect carbonation makes this very smooth and drinkable...beautiful...simply beautiful.

    http://www.brasserie-caracole.be/

    VICARIS GENERAAL

    A murky, deep dark reddy brown beer with a lovely rich creamy lasting beige coloured head. Beautiful sweet malty toffee aroma that despite the description is not sickly at all.

    Taste is instantly chocolatey but more almost cocoa powder like then ripe fruits emerge with a hint of sour cherries.

    An absolute cracker of a beer, savoured to the very last drop.

    Tuesday 1 March 2011

    STRUISE PANNEPOT

    Just opening this beer releases fruity dark aromas that fill the air, letting you know that something magical awaits.
    Pouring produces a creamy large coffee coloured head that fades to leave behind the merest reminder, underneath that thin cap lies a hazy dark brown beer with reddish hue.

    The intense aroma is an absolute joy with roasted caramel malts, sweet dark dried fruits (figs, prunes and raisins) all mixed with dark Rum.

    Flavour is dark roasted malts upfront then brown sugar, rich fruits, liqourice (and leather?) before finishing with slightly bitter spices.



    This is an absolute joy to drink and one i revisit whenever i see it on a menu.

                            
    (tasted at 't Brugs Beertje)

      
    http://struise.noordhoek.com/eng/

    http://www.brugsbeertje.be/index2.htm

     

    MALHEUR 12

    A dark chestnut brown beer with a large bubbly tan coloured head that quickly fades to leave a constant thin covering.
    The aroma is heavy on the fruit being filled with sweet raisins and  jammy almost caramelised plums, there's also a touch of chocolate and a slight spicy alcohol finish.
    Taste follows with roasted malts, chocolate and berries also hops are evident with a sweet warming touch of alcohol to finish.


    An extremely well made beer that despite its high 12% alcohol content is very easy to drink (too easy)

    http://www.malheur.be/flash.html

    Sunday 27 February 2011

    De Helleketel and Houblon.

    Now for something a bit special, whilst in Brugge back in January me and Linda were lucky enough to meet up with a couple of good friends - Filip and his lovely wife Katrien.
    Filip runs what is without doubt the webs number 1 site dedicated to Belgian beer, the fantastic Belgian Beer Board (please visit this site the wealth of information is mind blowing)

    Back to the trip, Filip took us around the beautiful west corner of Belgium, in particular the region of Watou. We were lucky enough to visit several outstanding bars (more on them later) possibly my favourite was De Helleketel (the oldest bar in the Watou region)
    A very busy rustic place and despite being filled with happy cheerful locals we were welcomed with open arms and room quickly found for the 4 of us - even though not a word of English was spoken the friendliness shown by the land lady and regulars was heart warming.



    Both Filip and i chose the excellent Houblon Chouffe IPA, a hazy pale yellow beer with a large pillowy white head. Very floral and spicy hoppy aroma with a sweet citrus taste followed by hop bitterness and a dry finish

    .

    Linda and Katrien both had Picon, a local drink of red wine infused with citrus and other magical ingredients.



    A thoroughly enjoyable time was had and on my way out i noticed something old and dusty in the corner of the room - a 1.5 ltr bottle of Helleketelbier.....sadly empty or i'd have been asking how much.












    Saturday 26 February 2011

    STAMINEE DE GARRE

    Seeing as my first post mentioned my favourite Brugge bar i thought i give Linda's favourite a mention.
    Staminee De Garre is another Brugge bar that features heavily on many a Belgian beer fanatics places to visit list. Now i speak from experience here but on your first visit this place can be difficult to find, the easiest way is to walk from the Markt along the cobbled Breidelstraat towards Burg, it's on your right down a tiny alley.


    Should you be lucky enough to find a seat here (despite being split over 2 floors De Garre is still small but compact) the beer of choice and reason for peoples visit is the house beer Tripel van De Garre.

    Brewed by Van Steenberge the house Tripel from draught is a masterpiece. Hazy amber coloured beer with the largest, creamiest head of any Belgian beer i've had, so dense infact that i'm pretty sure you could balance the cheese cubes that accompany on top without fear of sinking.


    Classic Tripel in the aroma - citrus, clove and alcohol (this beer is 11%) taste is candy sweet malts with a fruity (apricot) edge and a slight tart, alcohol finish. Low carbonation makes this one hell of a dangerously drinkable beer.