Belgian Beer Appreciation Thread (2023)

First time trying something from Side Project - enjoying batch 4 of this (Chardonnay) barrel-aged witbier on a bright Spring day. Review here (4.1).

 

2018 De Dolle Oerbier. I love this brewery. Their beer never truly fits into a distinct style. This is Quad-like, but much more vinous and light on the palate. Robust carb. Dried fruit and sherry notes on the back end. There’s a hint of Brett but in a fruity way, not barnyard. I don’t think they inoculate the beer for a mixed fermentation but I also don’t think they try to avoid it either. A really fun beer to age.

 

Firestone Walker ~ Stickee Monkee 2017
What a treat this beer is

 

I had that one once. 2017 vintage drank in late July 2018. I remember really liking it. My overall score for it is 4.4


Trying a local Saison for the first time.
Beyond The Gnome World from Silver Branch.




It is no Saison DuPont, but it is pretty good. My only complaint is that the spicy bitter aftertaste turned grassy about 3/4 way through the glass.

 

I could of sworn I had this beer before, but no formal rating and today is today. There is a reason this is one of the most ticket and top rated beers in this style across Beer Advocate.

Huyghe Delirium Tremens



Full review in New Beer Weekend #141. Definitely worthy of a Primetime New Beer Sunday rating, wish I knew before I cracked this open.

 

Deciding on a birthday beer and went with this. Brought this back from T Brugs Beertje when I went there in January.

Black Damnation 24 - Octopussy
13% Belgian Royal Stout ale from Flanders aged 2 years in Islay peated whiskey barrels.

 

Forgot the photo

 

Kriek - Lindemans

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/187/600/?ba=SLeffler27#review



Sweet comes to mind. And latches on like there is no tomorrow. The couch drops may be a bit off, but Jolly Ranchers is about right. The head was much more impressive than my former review, although short lived.

This is another fun beer for the rare occasion. I bought a mixed four-pack, so ya know to expect a few more.

 

At finer beer bars, you never know what will get shared by generous patrons....

 

man..is that a handsome beer? this is really tasty, Im lucky to have found a couple these. just a touch wet hay, just the way I like it

 

Iron Hill Saint Malty of the Rum Barrel



Belgian-style quadruple aged in rum barrels.

This is quite something. If I was tasting it blind I'd think it was a barleywine. The smell and initial flavor is subtle, but as it finishes the molasses sweetness of the rum and alcohol burn come through.

I don't have much experience with quads so can't say how this stacks up, but it's certainly enjoyable. Glad I have a stopper; if I drank all of this tonight I'd likely be useless tomorrow.

 

Blue Mountain Brewing (Nelson County, VA) - Blue Reserve Hommelbier. A hoppy Belgian-style ale.

 

Brasserie de l'Abbaye du Val-Dieu Grand Cru. First time for this one. Very good - candied sugar, crusty bread, plum, peach. Smooth feel

 

I discussed La Chouffe earlier today in the NBW thread:

Happy 40th Birthday!



Today’s beer is from Brasserie d'Achouffe and there is mention of a 40th anniversary on the beer’s label.

From Wikipedia discussing the brewery:

“On the 27th of August 1982, with less than €5,000, they made the first 49-litre mash tub. Based on the legend of the Ardennes, a gnome was chosen as the company logo of the brewery.[2] At first seen as a hobby, the Achouffe Brewery developed to such an extent that one after the other, Pierre and Chris decided work on it full time.[3] They then decided to expand to the Netherlands. Drinkers who regularly enjoy the beer can usually be recognized by their 'Chouffewillo hat'.[4] The annual La Grande Choufferie party, on the 2nd weekend of August, celebrates the birth of the Chouffe beer, in a convivial and musical atmosphere. In the late summer of 2006, Duvel Moortgat Brewery purchased the brewery.[5]”

So, apparently the ‘birthday’ for this brewery was August 27, 1982.

My guess is that this beer is the ‘regular’ Blonde Ale they produce with just some extra details in the beer’s label to acknowledge the 40th anniversary that occurred last year.

On the front label there is mention that coriander was used in the brewing of this beer and on the back label it has a best by date of Nov. 2023.

Enough jibber jabber, let’s do some birthday celebrating!

Served in my Triple Karmeliet tulip glass:

Appearance:

Pours a medium golden color with a two finger white head.

Aroma:

The aroma is dominated with citrus but there is some general fruity aromas as well and a hint of spicy in the background.

Taste:

The flavors follows the nose with strong citrus flavors but accompanied with some fruitiness and a subtle spicy flavor. There is a hint of sweetness to this beer,

Mouthfeel:

Medium bodied with spritzy carbonation and an off-dry finish.

Overall:

I enjoyed drinking this beer, I think it is very good. An excellent beer to celebrate a birthday.

Cheers!

 

4.13/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Batch #7, December 2020. Poured from a capped 750mL bottle into my Troubadour tulip.

Nearly clear stile de grain yellow with a lasting finger of off white soft peaks. Fine sandy lacing; faint legs; very good retention.

Complex sweet floral aromatics reveal the honey, working together with the malt and just a whisper of winter fruit punctuated funk from the wild microbes.

Dry, cider-kissed palate entry with unripe pear, green plum, and a gentle acidity. Lightly bready, crisp malt backbone, low earthy bitterness throughout. Finishes dry but with residual evolving honey flavors - interesting balance. Low floral notes and maybe a touch of citrus and white pepper as the beer warms.

Creamy, medium-bodied, well carbonated. Lightly warming, and not-quite-refreshing.

Subtle, interesting domestic take on the style.

 

Pomme - Lindemns

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/187/36583/?ba=SLeffler27#review



All the apple. Far less sweet than my previous review with more must in the aroma. Oh, and BTW, it doesn’t pair well with pan seared salmon.

 

What a beautiful comparison to do. I've done the two 12's against one another twice but never with the addition of the rochefort 10. Did you come away with a clear favorite?