Belgian Beer Appreciation Thread (2023)

Enjoying one of my favorite all time beers, so good!
Cheers!
Tom

 

Gulden Draak. A cool summer weekend in Chicago pairs wonderfully with this dark Belgian classic.


Plum, leather, green raisin...yeah, that'll do just fine.

 

From a recent tasting, highlights were Framboos, Fou, Lambic D’Aunis, and the Lambiek Fabriek were both pretty unique: Belgian Solaris grapes, and a redcurrant/Muscaris grape blend.

 

Having the Strawberry Brandy barrel variant of Saxy Machismo from Haw River. I always respect a brewing team's innovation but for my palate it is not a good choice for aging which essentially has obliterated the lovely work of the yeast on the base beer. Oh well, fun to try but one and done! Rated 3.5.
Cheers!
Tom

 

Back to Haw River from my buddy's December haul. Today's choice is Snow Hands, their Belgian Strong Dark Ale aged in Maple Bourbon Barrels. This is nicely done but a little too strong on the maple for my palate and ends with a touch on the sweet side. The brewing team is very innovative at Haw River as i suspect they do great base Belgian beers which i would love to try. Rated 4.04.
Cheers!
Tom

 

Enjoying a Belgian-style Blonde from SARA to accompany the first sustained heat-wave here in the San Fernando valley. Review here (4.11/5) and in NBW #156.

 

I think the Belgian blonde is the most underrated style. To me, the good ones are up there with some of the best beers in the world. I love Belgian beer!

 

Straffe Hendrik Quad. A classic, and for good reason.

Cream, caramel, green raisin & plum. Fantastic glassware, as always, at the Hopleaf.

 

According to Untappd this is the first time I have had this beer. Pretty sure I had this back in the 1980’s.Date on the bottle is L: 12.10.2025(best by?) Very carbonated in my mouth, earthy and a bit of clove fall into a caramel chocolate bitter finish. At 11%+ I do not taste any alcohol. I am enjoying this beer as I sit here with the dog just pondering things. This beer was part of a gift from my coworkers when I moved on. Thank you.

Enjoy

 

A friend left a couple of these on my porch. I never go out, yet another local brewery I haven't heard of lol.



I am very pleasantly surprised by this one. For my taste, American breweries too often miss when making tripels. It's maybe a bit sweet but there are lovely notes of apple, pear, and orange zest with welcome accents of light pepper and clove. The alcohol is very well masked. Thanks Santos, very glad to have tried this!

 

Gouden Carolus Tripel - bottled dated 7/13/21 so just over 2 years old

First time drinking this Tripel, and it's very good - pleasant aroma of pale malt and spicy clove. Similar taste, starts a touch sweet but finishes drier. No hint of the 9% abv, and super smooth mouthfeel.

 

That is my highest rated beer. Early in my rating records, so probably a bit higher than I would rate it today. That said, it is spectacular nonetheless.

 

Same. I continue to seek out new brews each week, but find myself more and more drifting back to old faves: Old Rasputin; SNPA; Weihenstephaner (various styles); Ayinger (same); Pseudo Sue; etc. and -- a couple that have shown up here: Rochefort 10 and St Bernardus Abt 12.