Belgian Beer Appreciation Thread (2023)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by Beersnake, Jan 1, 2023.

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  1. agoslin

    agoslin Initiate (62) Jan 20, 2023 North Carolina

    #561 agoslin, Jul 23, 2023
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  2. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I have decided to explore some saisons from Fantome recently. This is one. It's actually categorized as a witbier, but I'm not buying it.

    The nose is fresh lemon, skunk, sour apple, slight pepper, mint, and a hint of wet leather. Absolutely stunning aroma. The taste generally follows the nose. Dank, slightly tart, mild sourness, lemon, clove, yeast, funky, coriander, grapefruit peel. The mouthfeel is somewhat dry, with a bitter (citrus peel) aftertaste. Fantastic beer. Will definitely buy again.

    [​IMG]
     
    #562 Beersnake, Jul 25, 2023
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  3. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Is it categorized as a Witbier since raw wheat is a significant portion of the grain bill?

    Is there any indication of Witbier on the label(s) (e.g., back label)?

    Cheers!
     
    #563 JackHorzempa, Jul 25, 2023
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  4. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Westmalle Dubbel. Why does it taste so much better in this glass?
    [​IMG]
    Borderline shelf turd in Chicago...which is alright with me, I love grabbing a bottle on a random Binny's trip.
     
    #564 GuyFawkes, Jul 26, 2023
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  5. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Fantôme Magic Ghost, bottled in 2019. A saison brewed with green tea (as you can see).

    The nose is somewhat subtle, compared to my expectations. There is definitely some funk going on, sour lemon candy, and some slightly unripe green grapes. Not picking up much of the green tea on the nose.

    The taste is phenomenal. Sweet and malty. Grainy. Almost tasting like a strong Belgian pale ale at this point. Slight green tea, sourdough bread, lavender, a touch of clove, sweet apple, pear, and maybe a hint of banana. Not a hint of tart or sour on this one.

    The mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with a nice mild sweetness on the aftertaste. Lovely beer!

    [​IMG]
     
    #565 Beersnake, Jul 27, 2023
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  6. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Like most of the beers from Fantôme, the details are somewhat lacking. That said, the bottles states that this is "another masterful creation from Soy. Brewer Dany Prignon has let nature take its course in this brew to give us an honest, white beer with mixed yeasts". So, there you have it. Defined by the brewery!
     
    #566 Beersnake, Jul 27, 2023
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  7. ZebulonXZogg

    ZebulonXZogg Grand Pooh-Bah (3,142) May 5, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I generally stay away from Belgian styles, probably the yeast, this pretty good.
    [​IMG]
     
    #567 ZebulonXZogg, Jul 28, 2023
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  8. ChicagoJ

    ChicagoJ Grand Pooh-Bah (5,247) Feb 2, 2015 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    My favorite on draft, glad I caught this on the menus before leaving The Map Room.

    St. Bernardus 12

    [​IMG]

    It’s glorious!
     
    #568 ChicagoJ, Jul 29, 2023
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  9. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    IceHenge, a Dubbel from Tyranena.
    [​IMG]
    I miss the days when Tyranena distributed to Chicago, so whilst in Wisco it was nice to grab a few. This had notes of cream, brown sugar and Amaro. Enjoyable!
     
    #569 GuyFawkes, Jul 30, 2023
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  10. Hinda65

    Hinda65 Pooh-Bah (1,908) May 7, 2017 Utah
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Here's a great quad from toasted Barrel which unfortunately closed down a couple years ago. its 15% and real boozy but balanced with a little burnt sugar sweetness. probably my favorite local beer..sad they shutdown

    [​IMG]
     
    #570 Hinda65, Jul 30, 2023
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  11. SLeffler27

    SLeffler27 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,906) Feb 24, 2008 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    La Fin du Monte - Unibroue

    Anyone remember the Oldies But Goodie’s thread? This certainly qualifies.

    [​IMG]
     
    #571 SLeffler27, Aug 1, 2023
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  12. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    HERE it is!
     
    #572 Beersnake, Aug 1, 2023
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  13. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    A saison from Alberta. This can is a couple of years old and it seems to have lost some funk. Mostly smooth and malty. Enjoyable.

    [​IMG]
     
    #573 Beersnake, Aug 2, 2023
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  14. Ernest7

    Ernest7 Devotee (349) Apr 24, 2019 Belgium

    All other versions of Gulden Draak cannot compete with the Classic.
    And the Classic ages in a very fine way (a few 75cl bottles from 2007 and half a crate of 33cl bottles are still aging in my cellar).
     
    #574 Ernest7, Aug 2, 2023
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  15. Ernest7

    Ernest7 Devotee (349) Apr 24, 2019 Belgium

    The dragon is referring to the presence of Vikings here centuries ago
     
    #575 Ernest7, Aug 2, 2023
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  16. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Just found one of these (same vintage) and will open it soon. Dany likes to keep things mysterious!
     
    #576 Beersnake, Aug 2, 2023
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  17. ovaltine

    ovaltine Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,787) Apr 6, 2010 Indiana
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I had this yesterday for the first time, and it was pretty spectabulous, IMHO. I need to make all the Belgian styles a bigger part of my beer nerd life, because they’re all phenomenal, IMHO.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    #577 ovaltine, Aug 2, 2023
    Nugganooch, Rug, Spade and 11 others like this.
  18. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I love this beer, and I completely agree with you about including more Belgian beers in our lives! I don't drink them enough, but when I do I am always a happy man.
     
    #578 Beersnake, Aug 3, 2023
    DIM, ChicagoJ, SLeffler27 and 2 others like this.
  19. augustgarage

    augustgarage Pooh-Bah (2,703) May 20, 2007 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    In retrospect I think the date code was wrong on my bottle (as it is on some other recently produced bottles from Lime Imports, which also say best before 2015 despite being produced in the last year or two)? Enjoy in any case!
     
    #579 augustgarage, Aug 3, 2023
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  20. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Maredsous - Brune 8
    [​IMG]
    First few times I tried this, I thought it was just OK. Gave it another shot tonight...tastes like Dubbel perfection.
     
    #580 GuyFawkes, Aug 3, 2023
    Nugganooch, Rug, Spade and 10 others like this.
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