Belgian Beer Appreciation Thread (2023)

Plenty of great American wilds. I would add Floodlands and Sainte Adairius to your list, to name a few.

But for this discussion, I was focused on about Belgium Gueze / Lambics. Not as interested as easy to find, as am in new and competitive to the big 3.

Have your tried Giradin Gueze? Do you prefer it over the big 3?

I'm going to give Tommie Sjef a try. Haven't had anything from them yet.

 

No, I have not, I'm not a big sour drinker. And when I do I prefer Flanders Reds and Oud Bruins.

 

Another approach, for soliciting responses to your question, would be to post this question, in the Belgian forum, as its own thread. See below. There may even be answers already waiting for you there.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/forums/belgium.106/

Especially if you’re less concerned about accessibility. There are probably a bunch of brands & breweries that don’t export to North America.

Good luck. I’m interested in this question too.

 

Westy 12 FTW. I ordered two from Belgium several years ago, should have gotten more.

 

Maybe you would enjoy Lindemans Oude Gueuze Cuvée René?

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/187/6104/

Cheers!

 

De Cam, Girardin, Oud Beersel, Hanssens, Boon Black Label & monoblend series, Den Herberg, Het Boerenerf, Lambiek Fabriek. Luckily there's been a resurgence in the last few years, and there are more lambic producers now than in the last 40+ years, surprisingly enough.

 

+1 for 1882 and the Cuvée releases from Lindemans.

I would put these on your radar as well:

Den Herberg
Lambiek Fabriek
De Cam

Maybe not on par with the "big three" you are describing, but also worth sampling:

Van Honsebrouck
Oud Beersel
Hanssens Artisanaal

Cheers!

 

Finally cracking a Brune, a new to me Achel beer. Wow, love the look and feel of this beer, near perfect. The yeast imparts all sorts of flavors as it seems to be changing with each sip. Initially it was dark fruit forward but then several sips later i am getting apple and pear and then back to dark fruit. Man, what a complex and wonderful bier!
Cheers!
Tom

 

I've had this beer many winter seasons, and i've never seen it that clear! Was that an aged bottle? I've also had mixed results flavor-wise, I don't love this one yet I always go back to it thinking I will. haha

 

Enjoying an old favorite, very nice follow-up to the Achel beer earlier.
Cheers!
Tom

 

Those are two awesome beers! Achel Extra is very underrated I think - and is one of my favorite Belgians hands down... so much yeast complexity and flavor.

 

Some folks might be interested in knowing that Achel is no longer a Trappist Brewery:

“Renowned Belgian beer Achel will no longer be able to market itself as a Trappist beer, De Standaard has reported, leaving only five breweries of its kind in Belgium.”

https://www.brusselstimes.com/358914/belgium-loses-trappist-beer-following-brewery-purchase

Cheers!

 

I’ve been incredibly impressed with everything I’ve tried from Lambiek Fabriek. They’re only about 7 years old and putting out world class lambic.

 

Thanks for sharing- very interesting. I doubt the beer will change at all (certainly hope note), and looks like they can still market themsleves as Trappist...

"However, given that the Achelse Kluis was still legally owned by Westmalle Abbey, Achel was able to continue to market itself as a Trappist beer."

 

This brewery holds a special place in my heart, for coincidental reasons. Unfortunately I didn’t note the bottle date, and would be surprised if it were fresh. My guess is that it was at least 6mo. Which should be fine for this beer.

 

That is past tense.

Present tense: “Renowned Belgian beer Achel will no longer be able to market itself as a Trappist beer, De Standaard has reported, leaving only five breweries of its kind in Belgium.”

As to whether the beer will be 'different'?

Cheers!

 

Its a great brewery! I love Tremens and Nocturnum and buy them a few times a year at least. I'd love to visit the brewery sometime and see what this stuff is like fresh.

Yes- 6 months may just be better than fresh anyho!

 

Can't believe it took me so long to have this beer. Houblon Chouffe! Enjoyed at the Hopleaf, because of course.

This is what I wish New England IPA's tasted like*...notes of strawberry, peach & orange, softened by a luxurious, pillow-y mouthfeel.


*most NE IPA's taste like orange soda to me these days.

 

Hmmmm, I too have yet to try this one. Had avoided it as “another IPA,”however it sounds like it’s actually something else, a cut apart. Thanks.