Belgian Beer Appreciation Thread (2023)

A few months back i picked up a Belgian Strong Pale Ale from Archetype which is in Asheville. I have had a lager and IPA from them with the lager being solid. I am finding The Voyager to be a nicely made BSPA. The brewing team did a nice job with the yeast as i am getting a nice ester presence, primarily banana with a touch of bubble gum. The hopping is very unique as i am getting a subtle peach finish. The mouthfeel is heavier than what i expect but it is smooth. It is well balanced, a nice sipper!
Cheers!
Tom

 

Bourgogne des Flandres. This Flemish Red Ale is only mildly tart.

 

Chimay Red. I don't remember exactly (as it was 20+ years ago), but I would guess this was probably the first Belgian beer I ever drank.

 

I could have written that too.

 

I am pretty certain that my first "Belgian-style" beer was Maudite, as I went to college in upstate NY and so was exposed to Unibroue's beers.

But at that time I remember that a lot of bars and restaurants with better beer selection would often have Chimay Red on their import bottle list.

Looks like those two beers are #1 and #2 of Dubbels with the most reviews here on BeerAdvocate.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/styles/57/

 

Picked this up at the beer store recently when I was buying some Belgian classics, it was on the shelf next to other Belgian imports. The stubby bottles caught my eye.

Looks this VBDCK brewery are a more modern brewery and seem to embrace it. The embossing on the glass bottle says "Untouched by Monks", and the label also says "Traditional Belgian Beer" .

This Bière de Garde has nice toasty malt flavor, just a touch of spice and fruitiness in the aroma.

 

Here's a good trippel...with the extra P...not one of my favorites but a good brew that I always try and keep in the fridge

 

Does the extra "P" stand for something else!?!

 

Ha. ya, who knows? we have "triple" we have "tripel" and "trippel"

 

Round Guys Brewing (Lansdale, PA) - The Chronomancer, a Belgian-Style Strong Dark Ale. Nice malty flavor, a little dark fruits, not overly sweet.

 

it Says it's from Belgium

Thanks to @unlikelyspiderperson ... this is a beer i would love to have with a meal out just like.... drink everyday!!

 

Gotta be very carefull with those Belgian Pale Strong Ales...or you'll get K.T.F.O.

 

ill send you a photo of my right hand later..
i veen on both ends of that

 

Cool Glass! I've seen some really unique Duvel glasses with nice artwork online, but not that one.

 

ya know, yea could go for a triple tripple tipple.

 

Cross posting from the Duvel thread...what a treat!

I originally reviewed this back in 2004, in my early days of being serious about craft beer. Rated it a 4.7 overall, a Belgian classic that rocked my palate!

Re-review 1-28-23
Picked up a single from the Appalachian Vintner in Asheville 1-23-23 for $4.81. Best before 09-2023
Beer poured golden with a beautiful and perfect white head, always loved this quality!-5.0
Nose has notes of fruity esters, primarily apples and pears-4.25
Taste is a light but lovely malt base that lets the yeast impart a love pear and apple flavor. Finishes with a touch of bitterness and is very balanced overall-4.5.
Mouthfeel is extremely light and smooth at the same time. Each sip is a pleasure-4.75
Overall this beer stands the test of time with me, a treat every time i have it!-4.5 (4.5 overall)

Cheers!
Tom

 

Didn't have a chance to pick up any Duvel yet, but here's something wonderful from HORAL's latest member.

4.39/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottled March 2021, enjoyed January 28th, 2023. Poured from a capped-and-corked 750mL bottle into my Drie de Fonteinen tumbler.

Clear orange peel liquid supports an active papaya whip fist, receding to a rouse-able fine cap. Even soapy lacing; superior retention.

Malt, fruit, and funk compliment one another in the nose. Floral, barnyard, and blackberry with a hint of acidity.

Sweet core with crackery malt, rock sugar, and lots of fruit. This quickly is surrounded by a puckering tartness and a complex lasting funk. Finishes dry and bright with the blackberry emerging in the aftertaste beneath a wave of Brett. notes (pepper, alpine cheese, wild mushrooms, etc.)

Medium-light bodied, creamy, yet fairly crisp. ABV reasonably well concealed. Full carbonation.

Wonderful wild expression.

 

North Coast Brewing - Brother Thelonious. It's been awhile since I've had this one. Solid American-brewed verion of a Strong Dark Ale

 

Great Strong Dark from a holiday pack. Lot's of carbonation in this...fine brew

 

Perhaps also cross post in the Oldies but Goodies (Classic) thread?

Cheers!

@jonphisher

 

I grabbed a different North Coast for that thread, later this week...I'd love to read your thoughts on that one @Beersnake1.

 

Been trying a lot of local Belgians lately and this one is pretty well done. Cloves and banana as well as dark roasted malt. Quite sweet but balanced. Cheers.

 

My first dubbel in a long time, never had this one. Looks like a best before date of 29.11.2026



Very nice, it's lightly sweet and kind of bready. Raisins and brown sugar primarily with notes of apple pie at the edges. The finish dries out nicely, with perfumed, gentle heat. This beer is gorgeous to look at, a crystal clear light amber color with a massive, uneven, sticky head. Glad to have finally tried this one.

 

Delirium Noël - Delirium Tremens





Review from 2012:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/180/2347/?ba=SLeffler27#review

Today…

Certainly not clear, although the nucleation site is visibly at work. The head stayed creamy and is holding about 1/4” a few minutes in, and lacing is delicate.

The aroma is similar, with holiday splices, fresh fig, dried cherry, and a strong backbone of sweet malt.

The flavors do follow the aroma, although with less differentiation. Mildly sweet with faint bitterness. Mild spiced rum notes. The finish is a brief burst with a long mild tale. Warmth is definitely recommended to allow the delicacy room. This said , there is little progression otherwise.

Medium body, soft, lush silk texture, with fine carbonation. Alcohol is dramatically less apparent than previously noted, indeed it is more of an afterthought today.

Overall, this beer is much more enjoyable today. So far as Strong Dark Belgians go, this is worthy yet not quite as wonderful as this style can achieve.

 

Some of the best photos on the site, thanks for sharing your art. And damn, that is a sexy glass.

 

Aww shucks! Thanks.

 

La Moneuse from Brasserie de Blaugies. Never heard of this until today. A fantastic saison with notes of pear, apple, volcanic ash & a hint of caramel!

 

Having a Dubbel style ale from Haw River brewed with coffee and oats and a touch of dark chocolate. It is a very enjoyable and balanced beer but only a touch of dark fruit discernable from the yeast impartations. Fun beer to try, wonder how their base Dubbel is
Cheers!
Tom

 

Here's a local classic ..2 Rows Divine Lunacy BBA Quad. Nice bourbon, real great quad.

 

Liefmans Goudenband, a tasty Oud Bruin. Anyone know if the larger bottles still come wrapped in paper? The store I got this from only had the 4-packs of 330ml bottles.