Belgian Beer Report
From: John Sturm
Date: 03/24/98 05:44:09 PM
Subject: Belgian Beer Tourist Reports Back
Had a great time on the trip to Belgium. As you all know the primary reason for this trip was to seriously sample a lot of the Belgian Beers that are unavailable in the U.S. This report is geared toward the Belgian Beer enthusiast, so I'll apologize now for those of you who could care less. Feel free to delete this note an move on to more important items.
I intend to review both beers and pubs.
Beers:
- Rochefort 8 - The Rochefort Trappist ales are extremely scarce (read: virtually unavailable) in the US and somewhat rare in Belgium except for in the Specialist beer cafes and the area around the monastery. A Tasty Brew that is a definitely lighter that the Rochefort 10. I didn't have any of the 10 on this trip as I was still holding on to 2 bottles of Rochefort 10 that I purchased last year in San Francisco.
- Cantillon Geuze - Very acidic and sour gueze from the Cantillon Brewery in the Anderlecht area of Brussels just outside of the Petit Ring in the area of Gare Du Midi. The practically open door policy of this brewery demands a visit from all who find themselves in the area of Brussels.
- Zatte Bie - This strong Belgian ale is from the De Bie microbrewery in the area of Watou in the south of Belgium. Enjoyed this one at 'The Fox' in Aalst where we were taken by our gracious hosts for the evening, Marc and Luc. Also enjoyed some excellent food at this pub/restaurant.
- Mort Subite Geuze - Tried to order the Belle-Vue Selection Lambic but it was out of stock. The MS is fairly available in the US, but I was just in the mood for a
geuze. Although not a traditional product it seemed less sweet than when I had sampled it in Belgium in years past. Also had this one at The Fox.
- Cantillon Kriek - The superbly acidic kriek/gueze from Cantillon. This was at De Babbelaar in
Aalst. A very nice special beer cafe that, as so many others in Belgium, houses a small puppet theater.
- Drie Fontainen Lambik - Old lambic from the vat at the famous 3 Fountains restaurant in
Beersel. I had 2 of these. Beersel is a mecca for all lovers of traditional lamic beers. It is located about 8k from Brussels. The 3 Fountains is an excellent restaurant as well as on of the largest of the last traditional lambic blenders. The purchase lambic from Boon,
Girardin, and Lindemanns.
- Oud Beersel Oud Lambik - An excellent draft lambic from the Oud Beersel Brewery/Cafe located on the outskirts of
Beersel. An excellent country style cafe.
- Oud Beersel Kriek - Shared a 750ml bottle of this with Dan. It was not overly acidic which leads me to believe it was quite young for a blended kriek
geuze. One of the best Krieks I have ever had.
- Oud Beersel Geuze - Also shared a 750ml bottle of this with Dan. What an incredible
geuze. Sour, yet not overly so. A more drinkable example for the uninitiated that the Cantillon product.
- Rochefortoise - A new tripel style beer in Belgium. This is one is from the same folks who make
Kwak. Truly a tasty, excellent brew.
- Het Kappitel Abt - This strong Abbey style tripel had an aftertaste I did not care for at all. I set it aside, had another Rochefortoise and went back to it later and it was somewhat better. With the exception of Zatte Bie I noticed this aftertaste in other beers from the Watou area. Perhaps it is something in the water. Not that it is bad it just did not agree with my tastes.
- Hommelbier - A hoppy, bitter ale also from the Watou area brewery. Had the same aftertaste but improved with increased consumption.
- Straffe Hendrik - Reasonably strong and bitter ale from De Halve Maan brewery in
Brugge. Always reliable and somewhat available in the US.
- Westvleteren 12 - A holy grail this trip, the Westvleteren is extremely rare even in Belgium as they do not distribute their beers. The pubs must travel to the monastery to buy whatever is available (of the 3 styles, 6, 8, 12). The beers are available from the monastery only on certain days. Finally got this one at T'Brugges Beertje in
Brugge. Very tasty dark trappist ale. One of the best.
- Oud Beersel Kriek - I know I already included the one I had at the Oud Beersel Cafe. This was a much older sample from the cellar at T' Brugges
Beertje. Much more dry and acidic like the Cantillon. Excellent. This was also a 750ml I split w/Dan.
- Westmalle Triple - The classic tripel, I ordered this one at a Koffiehuis / restaurant in Ghent that was not a specialist beer cafe at all.
- Tripel Karmeliet - This new tripel, based on the Westmalle original is bold tasting and full of flavor. One of Danny's favorites of the week.
- Rodenbach Alexander - This "krieked" version of Rodenbach was most unimpressive. Way to sweet for the moment.
- Boon Geuze - Widely available in the US. Danny had 1 in Ghent and I tried it. It was so good I ordered one on the next round. I have heard of reports of some inconsistency in the Boon products. I also had a bottle at the pub at Hotel Du Centrum in
Beersel. At the wonderful little pub the 37,5cl Geuze was served laid down in it's own little basket.
- Westvleteren 8 - Again from the St Sixtus Abbey, I was able to sample the 8 degree version at de Garre in
Brugge. Unfortunately my taste buds were not fresh enough to be able to really appreciate this rare brew.
- Girardin Gueze - the rare black label unfiltered version Girardin 1882 Gueze. Excellent.
- Hanssen's Geuze - Only available in the tradition style. The experts say it has a rhubarbish flavor. I don't know about that but it is a little different and it's excellent.
- Belle-Vue Geuze - A poor commercial example of the style. Forgive me, I was in Amsterdam at a non-specialist cafe. The idiot didn't know what brand it was so I took a chance, hoping for a Mort
Subite.
- Duvel - Same bar. I didn't see it on the menu originally. Dan did. Duvel was the best they had.
- Westvleteren 6 - The extremely rare 6 degree version. Found in in Amsterdam at In De
Wildeman, an excellent specialist cafe. I was told they had just made a trip to the abbey two weeks prior so it was a fairly fresh example. Very flavorful thanks to clean taste buds.
- Rocherfort 6 - Another extremely rare find, the 6 degree version of
Rocherfort. Excellent as well.
- T'Ij Paasbier - The Easter beer from the T'IJ microbrewery in Amsterdam. Full
o'flavor.
- TIj Columbus - Their most potent regular brew. Very good but I should of had it before the
Paasbier.
- De Konink - bottle version. OK. THE beer of Antwerp.
- De Konink - draft version. Much better than the bottled version. A classic pale ale.
- De Neve Geuze - This was the unfiltered version in the 750 ml bottle w/no label, just a white sash mark. This was at Aux Armes de Tirlemont in Antwerp. This place must be visited to be believed. A 400 year old locals pub on the verge of crashing into the street.
- De Troch Geuze Chapeau - Again the unfiltered version from a 37,5 cl bottle. Not particularly traditional tasting.
- Westvleteren 12 (1988) - A ten year old bottle of this rare classic. Must be tasted to be believed. Excellent.
- Oerbier (1980) - Not really Oerbier for those of you who know. This particular bottle was, I believe, the first brewed by De Dolle Brouwers in
Esen, Belgium. It was brewed in 1980 and only 210 cases were bottled in 1982. One of the best and most interesting beers I have ever tasted.
- Girardin Lambik - availabe at In De Oud Pruim in Beersel. Tasty old lambic.
- Drie Bronnen Kriek Lambic - A home made kriek lambic, available on draft, at the 3 Springs in
Beersel. Very nice. Not to sweet, not to sour.
Well those are the beers. Here are some of the better cafes/pubs we visited.
Also visited and drank at about 6 other non specialist cafes and restaurants that are really not worth mentioning for their beer selection.
Sir Sturm
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