Belgian Beer Appreciation Thread (2023)

Nah, I’m humble, and doing my best to keep the poo in Poo-bah.

Although, I did just send out an announcement on the family text, advising them that I will be expecting the proper respect and accolades befitting of my status.

 

Oh, that is a great 'tag line'!

You should post that in this thread:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/beeradvocate-karma-title-celebration-thread.671668/

Cheers!

 

. Annnnnd DONE! Hahahahahahaha.

 

Trappistes Rochefort 6 - Brassiere de Rochefort



https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/207/3842/?ba=SLeffler27#review

Interesting. The grape and watermelon, previously noted, are absent. Today’s sample is all about earthy fruit, like plumb and fig.

One more of the recent spree of Trappist beers to go. Alas not a Westvleteren. Maybe I will be more purposeful next time and try to get an example from each of the operating Trappist Breweries. A challenge considering they don’t all distribute to the United States.

 

4.41/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Best by 2014 (month has worn away), so, bottled in 2011. A kind gift from my sister-in-law. Poured from a 330mL bottle into my Westvleteren chalice. 10.2% ABV. Served at 55F.

Chestnut/burnt umber liquid with copper/caramel highlights and a small beige cap receding quickly to a lasting collar. Adequate retention; fine lacing; delicate yet viscous legs.

Lovely rich malty/estery aromatics suggest plum, fig, date, toffee, and an old European cobbler's shop. Weighty yet perfectly integrated and inviting. No perceptible oxidation.

Flavor follows the nose but is joined by a low earthy bitterness and some suggestions of brandy and eucalyptus. Long, linear, medium-dry finish. Rounded and rich with some complex stewed fruit elements.

Modest carbonation, but holding up well given the age. Slightly thin and quite warming.

More than the sum of its parts, and still a top tier example of the style, though I look forward to updating this review one day with a fresh bottle.

 

Gulden Draak 9000 Quadruple. Very tasty beer, but still seems weird to label a beer a "Quadruple" that is basically the same ABV as the "Tripel" (10.7% vs 10.5% respectively), and is lighter in color. Seems like they go out of their way to be contrarian with "Dark Tripel" and "Amber Quadruple".

 

Well, it is from Gent, and the Flemish do like their riddles, satire, and puns!

 

Blue - Chimay



Kinda got a theme going, with the Cashel Blue.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/215/2512/?ba=SLeffler27#review

The cheese brings caraway, which has none BTW, while the soft creaminess and mild pungency takes the edge off the beer. The cheese/beer combination is better without the cracker (Wassa rye) with mild sweetness and fruit being more focused. Ahh, the simple pleasures one can find in a quiet, lazy afternoon. Life is good.

In a side-by-side with an aged Dublinar Cheddar, the blue unexpectedly won. Hands down.

 

This is listed in BA under Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat, which is a Belgium brewery. When I looked at the can it says it was brewed and canned in NY. I think other Duvel beers I've had are brewed in Belgium. Are they now shifting production to America or is this a separate brewery? If it said imported by then I wouldn't think anything of it, but brewed and canned by is different. When it said Belgian style then I thought it was brewed in America, but I went with what is on BA and didn't read the fine print under after I bought it.

.

 

Cooperstown NY is the location of Ommegang. They are owned by Duvel.
https://www.ommegang.com/

 

So as with most consolidations does this mean that Duvel sold in America will now be produced in America? I prefer beers made in the original country so I guess I have to start reading labels more. I thought I was buying a real Belgian beer so was a little disappointed.

 

Duvel Moortgat has owned Ommegang since 2005, and I've never read anything about them brewing Duvel there. The bottles of Duvel in my fridge say that they are imported.

 

Wow! Has it really been 18 years? Where does the time go?

 

Yeah I had to look it up and I didn't think it was that long ago either.

 

Salute!

 

Coolship charente - Allagash



These Coolship beers are fiiiiiine!

The tart vinegar, oak, and funk lay siege to the olfactory, with apple and lemon getting a few kicks in to boot. Sweet white wine offers some solace, and warmth mellows the assault without losing any of the character.

The flavor is highly acidic with tartness that never hears the tongue cry uncle. Honey, lemon, apricot, white wine, all play under the domain of oak. There is no trace of cognac. Warmth brings out maraschino cherry.

A medium body and slick, almost oily satin texture. Alcohol is well above extraction, and carbonation explosive, adding a sharp character.

At about the 3/4 way through the bottle I allowed yeast to flow. It changed the beer dramatically. Both versions are excellent. The second has an opalescent glow, celery and pepper earthy nose, and mellow tartness and acidity. It also softens the texture without adding body.

Right now, I’m wishing that I hadn’t finished the Cashel Blue yesterday. It would have been amazing, a sharp/pungent Roquefort would probably be a good match too.

 

I would be interested in hearing people's thoughts good Belgium gueze/lambics that are not one of what I think of as the big 3, Cantillon, 3F, and Tilquin.

Any reccomendations?

 

Besides the domestic beers from Lost Abbey and Jester King, if you look at this list:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/top-styles/14/
The first one that is not one of those three breweries that has a ton of reviews (so should be easier to find) is this beer:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2541/6317/

 

Definitely co-sign these two breweries and of course one of my GOATs, 1882 Black Label. Would also add Horal Oude Geuze in terms of my favorites.

Boon and several Lindemans offerings (including their fruited lambics) can be assessable in terms of price and shelf availability, and are typically very good as well.

Import pricing sadly spiked for “The Big Three”, but you can still find very good to
great Gueuze / Lambics without plopping $100-$150 down for an onsite bottle.