Belgian Beer Recommendations?

Urthel Hop-it predates Houblon Chouffe and is said to have been inspired by a visit to the US by Hildegard van Ostaden (the Brewmistress) who decided she wanted to try using American hops in a Belgian base beer.

 

Abbaye des Rocs Grand Cru, Urthel Samaranth, and Caracole Nostradamus
come to mind as wondrous brews to enjoy. Liking some of the Spencer products
as well such as their Monks Reserve.

Almost forgot----Scaldis Amber is excellent if you can find it. Their Noel is pretty solid as
well.

 

Agree about Leffe. It's quite tasty despite the macro stigma. I've always been a fan of Afflegem Blonde as well, but don't see it around in stores as much anymore (or at all?). Both of these were in my frequent rotation of mixed sixers during the early years of my craft BA journey (2010/2011 timeframe).

 

Here are my personal favorites:

La Fin Du Monde
Westmalle Trappist Tripel
Merry Monks
Val-Dieu Triple
Gulden Draak 9000 Quadruple

 

Sprecher also makes so pretty nice Belgian styles that are reasonably priced----personally
like the tripel A LOT and it is a go to brew when something Belgian style and cheaper are
in the forecast.

 

Troubadour Magma | Brouwerij De Musketiers
Belgian IPA
Had at Dr. Granville Moore's in DC with my buddy T-dawg. Saw it sitting on the counter in a glass and asked the tender "what is that?". Unique appearance and I swear it was calling my name. Still one of my favs to this day!!! Hard to find in states anymore even in CO

 

Whoa, I forgot aboot this one cuz the only time I had it was in a trade and low and behold, I found it on the shelf today.

Dupont Avec les Bons Voeux.

Magnificent it is.

 

Loads of great recommendations in this thread.

De Ranke generally are fantastic - XX Bitter, Guldenburg, Saision de Dottignies are also worth checking out if you can find them. (The Cuvee, Kriek and Noir de Dottignies are also great but might not jive with the nothing dark / nothing sour requirements).

De La Senne are also worth checking out if you can get their stuff. Like De Ranke, they go in a bit more for hops than the more traditional Belgian breweries, but they're still very much "modern Belgian" rather than "international style craft".

Slight aside: it seems to be a nice thing about Belgian beer that, apart from Westvleteren and Lambic, the great beers are often easily available and the easily available beers are often great - there seems to be very little snobbery (justified or otherwise) about easy-to-find "beginner beers" versus the serious connoisseur stuff that you have to travel to obscure brewpubs or stand in line for hours to get hold of.

 

Yvan's beers (and philosophy of brewing/life) are VERY worth checking out, IMO. Always love listening to podcasts where he's interviewed. Never gets old.

 

La Fin Dumonde from unibroue , spelling, is a awsum Belgian style golden ale. I highly recommend it even if it's from Canada, just a super beer.

 

I must admit I possess a love of tripels when it is cold out. But when I really crave those belgian esters I tend to go the Belgian IPA route. I find the extra bitterness reigns in the sweetness.
Belgian:
Achouffe Houblon Chouffe IPA
De Ranke XX Bitter
US:
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Raging Bitch Belgian-Style IPA
Why Can't IBU

If you want to ease into the sour route the Petrus Aged Pale is a great beer that is on the lower end of the sour scale.
And shoutout to Alesmith with Lil' Devil with a serviceable year round pale that is very affordable

 

St. Bernardus Tripel....still one of the best IMO.

Always have had a soft spot for Ommegang Rare Vos. An oldie but goodie.

 

I thought local 1 and 2 were both great as well.