Belgian Beer Appreciation Thread (2024)

I’ve had this one on my list to try for a while, finally found it in stock at a local bottle shop while I was perusing their inventory. Preliminary review below. Cheers!

Duvel 6.66

4.25/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
330mL bottle (best by April 2025 I believe, code marked 04 2025 / L40206 19:58) into a Duvel tulip. Pours a slightly hazy honey golden color with that classic white billowing Duvel head.

Aroma is full of Belgian yeasty esters—ripe banana, clove, spice. Some nice barnyard funk—wet hay, fresh bread.

Taste leads off with clean pale malt and hard minerally water, followed by Belgian yeast (clove and banana) and finally floral, delicate Old World hops. Each ingredient in succession but also subtly working together.

Mouthfeel is balanced, medium body, finishes crisp with just a touch of hop bitterness. Just right for the style.

Overall an elegant, understated Belgian ale that is somehow more than the sum of its parts. Outstanding.

 

I just came into a collection of very old Bruery beers from a friend who's moving & doesn't drink anymore.

There's some very interesting Belgian styles among them, some a decade + old.

@Beersnake 's post reminds me that I need to post these as they get cracked!

 

Hey Tim, i was able to walk away with a bottle of this and Chocolate Thunder from The Bruery after volunteering all afternoon at the Eighth State Brewing festival a few weeks back. I'll be sure to post my thoughts but totally agree with your sentiment as i have only come across a couple of fine examples of the style outside of Belgium. Love the de Garre glass!
Cheers!
Tom

 

We need some trade winds to cool things down here in Western NC, a sticky mid-80's afternoon so thought a bottle of The Bruery's Trade Winds would fill the bill!
I have to say i am pleasantly surprised at the brewing job by The Bruery team. They have successfully coaxed maximum effort from the yeast as i am getting a very nice pear/apple estery base. The basil is barely perceptible. The finish is very dry and phenolicy as i am getting a nice white pepper edge. Would agree with you Tim this is a bit sharp but for me who appreciates a good WCIPA i am liking this a lot!
Cheers!
Tom

 

Enjoying the Sixth Glass from Boulevard, still really like this brew. i believe this was one of the first Boulevard brews i got to enjoy 10 years ago while traveling and then they made their way to Arizona shortly thereafter and all their crazy BA stuff followed.
Always admired their ability to work with the Belgian yeast strains in the Belgian master's way and to keep their prices reasonable.
Cheers!
Tom

 

Enjoying a Dubbel from OEC, great use of the yeast as i am getting in addition to raisin, the lighter pear and apple esters are lovely.
Cheers!
Tom

 

Cross posting from WBAYDN...
Staying in the Belgian track today, always enjoyable Boulevard BBQ and a little Ray Charles.
Cheers!
Tom

 

It was an end of an era for Revolution Brewery, as they pulled production of one of their first beers, one that won many awards. Sadly, this is the last can in my possession, and remains one of my favorites from Chicago.

Revolution A Little Crazy (2/16/23)



They haven't brewed this, not even draft only for their taproom/brewpub, and as a result have really only picked up the Season Ticket offerings which I may or may not renew. Hopefully they will begin brewing this in the future.

 

I hope you let your avatar live on in remembrance of this iconic Chicago beer.

 

Most certainly will. Really hope it returns on draft this Winter during the normal release period.

 

Enjoying a fine Tripel despite my mistake of letting it go past the expiration date.
Cheers!
Tom

 

2nd that. (One of my favorites.) And more importantly, really sorry to hear about the diagnosis of your family member and sending prayers your way.

 

Cross-posting from WBAYDN, Quads are such a lovely easy drinking style (but dangerous).
Me, enjoying a 2019 vintage find down in Greenville, SC about a year ago. Man, this Quad has aged very well, what a nice surprise, rated 4.4! Listening to Sirius this afternoon, a favorite from the way back days.
Cheers!
Tom



Onto round 2, staying in the Quad genre, sipping on the last of Boulevard's BBQ. I still like the Sixth Glass base beer so i can forsee picking more of this up next time at a Total Wine.
Listening to SXM, having flashbacks to my 8-track collection from the 70's. Love Jeff Lynne, such a great musician, composer, and producer!
Cheers!
Tom