Belgian Beer Appreciation Thread (2024)

That glass is looking very Gank-able!!!!

 

Just scrolling through these photos can I just take a moment to publicly observe how classy all these beers look? It’s kind of like WBAYDN is slumming it at a Ford dealership and then you pop over here and suddenly you’re strolling through a lot full of Mercedes, BMWs, and Porsches.

 

Currently my favorite "hoppy" beer on the planet, Houblon Chouffe. Fruit forward (with no fruit) but still balanced and, y'know, actually tastes like beer. Your favorite hazy IPA could never. (And, to @Orca 's point, it doesn't look like dirty dishwater).

 

Benchmark Saison!

 

But not that canned version.

 

The Belgians (and their imitators) certainly know how to brew a beautiful beer—and how to present it. No disrespect to all the wonderful, innovative American brewers out there, but a lot of their beers are, shall we say, not all that great to look at. They smell and taste great but I, for one, drink a beer with my eyes before my lips ever touch the glass.

 

I don't care about an 'ugly looking' beer with great aromas and tastes.
The eye is the sense used mostly and, therefore, deceived mostly.

 

Archaic Archetype Saison from Ornery Beer Company in Bristow, VA.
Fairly dry start to finish, opens more fruity, closes spicy, zesty and bitter. Mild Belgian yeast character. A solid Saison, in my novice opinion.

 

Let’s put this back onto the first page.

Duvel 6,66% - Duvel Moortgat

The aroma just keeps progressing; right from the start with funk, herbs, spices, and fruit. Similarly the flavor never seems to settle. Quite bitter. Grape skins, watercress, cilantro, and lemon. Infinite finish is dry. Perfusion of fine prickly carbonation, and alcohol punches above its weight. A perfect beer with an over-ripe, soft Gruyère and a cool drizzly afternoon. All this funk is working together.

 

Chimay Red for the first time in a few years

 

These hit me pretty good, big flavor, good yeast character, sweet enough to satisfy my sweet tooth while drying enough for a succinct finish.

 

Malty and fairly sweet with a dry-ish finish, this one has some age on it (bottled 7/19/22) and I imagine it to be a different beer fresh, but as is, it’s pretty damn enjoyable.

 

Orval is in a class of its own. I’ve had a lot of beers—many of them pretty similar to each other, especially in the realms of IPAs and imperial stouts—but there is only one Orval.

 

Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quad, 12.2% ABV. Back in 2016, I rated this 4.02. If I were reviewing it today, I'd probably rate it slightly higher, maybe 4.15 or so. Had hoped to find a Central Waters BBQ for a side-by-side but haven't seen that for years.

 

Gouden Carolus Noël / Christmas from
Brouwerij Het Anker

Belgian Dark Special Ale - 10%ABV
"Rich and Spiced"

I will echo all of the previous reviews that point out the dominant black licorice/anise notes here but this is also carries a spruce-y cola and sarsaparilla like note. To the point that Gouden Carolus drinks more like a craft soda pop to me. There are lesser notes of baked sweet breads/fruit cake, ginger, dried fruits, and a dark Belgo Candi finish. Overall very clean, not too yeasty, with a top class texture and well masked alcohol content. A lovely encounter if you are in the mood for some seasonal spice BA.

 

Just dropped this into the Quad and BSDA thread. Gotta remember to share here too.

Senior’s Quadrupel - Kuhnhenn

So glad to have hung onto this since October. Not only do I have something to share here (been crazy busy at work lately), but it is a gem.

Reddish dark copper with clear garnet highlights. No head, but a thin film clings to the glass, lifting a necklace of fine lacing, each tiny bead equally spaced. The aroma brings plumb pudding to mind, rich and luscious. Brandy and Sherry, nice figs and dates. Warmth brings mild peat to the forefront. It is pleasantly sweet and malt forward with the Brandy and Sherry in tow. Sun dried raisins and dates follow. Slight warming reveals mincemeat pie. The body is full, with a slick, syrupy texture. Alcohol is every bit the 13.1% labeled, with nice heat and no burn. Very soft carbonation. I’m enjoying it while reading and taking small chunks of Roquefort cheese. The cheese pairing, while decadent, is less transformative than expected.