Belgian tasting

Gouda, brie, Trappist cheeses, etc, any good cheese preferably one unpasteurized . The food and beer forum is great for pairing or Garrett's book. I not had a bad beer and cheese pairing and I had almost every cheese there is, Because man I love cheese more than beer even! Grapes and apples work well with beer and cheese.

 

Most of the ones i've had have been listed already, but you should try and get ahold of Issaquah Brewery's Menage a Frog. Best Belgian tripel I've ever had, and everyone at the KBS release was raving about it.

 

Eh, when I think of Belgian styles I think of the classics. If it were a sour tasting, I'd recommend some gueuzes, lambics, and Flanders.

I agree that most actual Belgian beers are better than their North American counterparts (which is why my list is mostly Belgian), but there are plenty of exceptions to the rule. Dubbels are one style that I think American ones are often as good as Belgian ones, though tripels, quads, BSPAs and BSDAs are generally better from Belgium. That being said, La Fin Du Monde is better than most Belgian Tripels while Chimay White is little better than mediocre.

 

I believe "Drie" means 3 in Flemish, so tewaris was correct about the brewery you were referring to.

 

If you're trying to limit things, then why pour an American IPA at a Belgian tasting? Either go for diversity- one from some of the styles listed above; or showcase one or two styles and offer comparisons- like Westmalle Tripel vs Chimay White.

 

Yep, Maredsous is sold alongside Duvel all over bottle shops in SoCal.

 

Makes sense, though there would be more variables than just yeast, including age as imports have a longer journey.

 

Wow...I'm not privy to whats being charged in the US at the moment. I can only comment on what I am charged here and $16 is not it. If Leffe cost $9 a pack, I'd expect Grimbergen to be similar, maybe a bit more. Its good in my opinion, but not that good.

 

good p

good point...

 

I say you pack everybody on a bus and go to Ebenezers. Then you can try everything.

 

I think he was referring to the Pannepots?

 

Another option at a traditional belgian hopped beer is this classic, Poperings Hommel Bier. its brewed right in the middle of the hop growing region of Belgium and not far from the museum that is diedicated to the hop growers and the people that used to come to harvest the hops anually. they know hops!

 

I think you should go thru the motions on this. Taste, Aroma, Mouthfeel, etc...clear the senses then try the other. I feel that what you experience will (most likely) be different than mine would be given the same parameters. Attenuations will be different. That said, its going to boil down to what you'll like and what you dont. It will come to what Belgians you'll like and others you'll pass on. Alot of great suggestions were put on this thread and I certainly enjoyed listening to all. Its been an eye opener on what to expect when my family and I return to the U.S and that maybe not all is bleak for me (and my wife). But, this is your experience...enjoy it.

 

lets just say we disagree, I know lots of Tripels made in Belgium better than anything outside of it. Who makes a Dubbel here in States better than Westmalle? Prey tell.

 

That seems like a pretty solid list to me.

 

I don't understand the great love for La Fin Du Monde. It ain't bad, but there's a whole lot better triples in the world. Westmalle, Val Dieu, Chimay, and St Bernardus, even Allagash and CBC. I think it is rated so high just because of it's price point. Many people try it because it's cheap. Good yes, the best- not even close. By the way, I consider Gulden Draak another great triple. Just my .035 cents worth.