Favourite Strong Dark Belgian

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by AugustusRex, Jun 22, 2015.

?

What is your favourite?

  1. Chimay (Blue or Red)

    12 vote(s)
    6.0%

  2. Rochefort (10, 8 or 6)

    64 vote(s)
    32.0%

  3. Westvleteren (12 or 8)

    22 vote(s)
    11.0%

  4. Het Anker (Blauw or Classic)

    11 vote(s)
    5.5%

  5. Achel (Extra or Brun)

    1 vote(s)
    0.5%

  6. Abbaye Des Rocs (Classic or Grand Cru)

    1 vote(s)
    0.5%

  7. Unibroue (Trois Pistoles, Maudite, 17, Terrible, ...)

    15 vote(s)
    7.5%

  8. Pannepot (Any variation)

    17 vote(s)
    8.5%

  9. St. Bernardus (12, 8, or 6)

    35 vote(s)
    17.5%

  10. Other (Specify)

    22 vote(s)
    11.0%
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  1. VTBrewHound

    VTBrewHound Pundit (831) Jan 5, 2013 Vermont

    Delirium Tremens was my first craft beer "ah ha moment". Cheers.
     
    #21 VTBrewHound, Jun 23, 2015
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  2. jamesgaither

    jamesgaither Zealot (567) Jun 7, 2009 Kansas

    I can't pick just one from that list. 1 to 3 years.
     
    #22 jamesgaither, Jun 23, 2015
  3. Zorro

    Zorro Grand Pooh-Bah (3,258) Dec 25, 2003 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Piraat - Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.

    I know they say it is a pale but it is pretty dark and strong.
     
    #23 Zorro, Jun 23, 2015
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  4. Vitacca

    Vitacca Pooh-Bah (2,250) Sep 15, 2010 Montana
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Really surprised you didn't say Stickee Monkee!!
     
    #24 Vitacca, Jun 23, 2015
  5. Scott17Taylor

    Scott17Taylor Initiate (0) Oct 28, 2013 Iowa
    Trader

    The only ones I've had are chimay three philosophers and rochefort. I prefer chimay but I've got a st bernarbus in the fridge and plan on buying a sixth glass from boulevard. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed three philosophers so I plan on trying more American quads.
     
    #25 Scott17Taylor, Jun 23, 2015
  6. AugustusRex

    AugustusRex Initiate (0) Apr 12, 2013 Canada (ON)

    It's interesting that Chimay Blue had the best reputation in the style from the 70s- early 90s.

    I'm surprised nobody has said Westmalle Dubbel, it might actually be my favourite of the bunch when comparing only fresh bottles. It's also superb after 2 years.
     
    #26 AugustusRex, Jun 23, 2015
  7. hobbitz

    hobbitz Crusader (455) Jun 17, 2010 Rhode Island

    Golden draak
     
    #27 hobbitz, Jun 23, 2015
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  8. Domingo

    Domingo Grand Pooh-Bah (4,252) Apr 23, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    Pannepot barely edges Cuvee Van De Keizer for me. Both are amazing. Westy with 18 months on it is divine, too. Nothing wrong with anything Westmalle does.
     
    #28 Domingo, Jun 23, 2015
    AugustusRex likes this.
  9. bleakies

    bleakies Maven (1,355) Apr 11, 2011 Massachusetts

    St Bernardus Abt
     
    #29 bleakies, Jun 23, 2015
  10. djsmith1174

    djsmith1174 Savant (1,015) Aug 21, 2005 Minnesota

    I voted St. Bernardus Abt 12, but I really like everything on that list and pretty much everything else that has been mentioned as well.
     
    #30 djsmith1174, Jun 23, 2015
  11. evilcatfish

    evilcatfish Pooh-Bah (2,116) May 11, 2012 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Why wasn't Gulden Draak on the list hmm???? That one probably gets my vote but I enjoy so many of these beers
     
    #31 evilcatfish, Jun 23, 2015
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  12. NeroFiddled

    NeroFiddled Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,276) Jul 8, 2002 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    For a long time, working at a beer distributor I had access to Chimay Premiere and Grande Reserve across a range of years, going from fresh to about 5 to 7 years old, and I found the Premiere was best within a year to two or three but that the Grande Reserve improved a year or two beyond that, falling into a sweet spot of about 4-5 years. That and some aged Trois Monts were my favorite Belgian beers all around (although Trois Monts is not dark). I didn't really like the way the Rochefort aged, and I had to go elsewhere to find the Westvleteren, so I've got to go with Chimay!!!
     
    #32 NeroFiddled, Jun 23, 2015
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  13. alucard6679

    alucard6679 Savant (1,009) Jul 29, 2012 Arizona

    Rochefort 8 is where its at
     
    #33 alucard6679, Jun 23, 2015
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  14. Phigg1102

    Phigg1102 Initiate (0) Sep 29, 2013 New York

    Rochefort 10! Hoping to drink along side a Westy 12 and St.Bernardus 12
    someday soon..
     
    #34 Phigg1102, Jun 23, 2015
  15. 77black_ships

    77black_ships Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2012 Belgium

    Sorry Top 10

    Abbaye des Rocs Brune
    Struise Pannepot Grand Reserva
    Winterkoninkske Grand Cru
    Struise Pannepeut Reserva
    Rochefort Trappistes 8
    Malheur Dark Brut (Noir)
    Struise Pannepot
    Winterkoninkske (Winter King)
    La Caracole Nostradamus
    De Dochter van de Korenaar Embrasse Peated Oak Aged Lagavulin
     
    #35 77black_ships, Jun 23, 2015
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  16. the_trystero

    the_trystero Initiate (0) Mar 19, 2013 California

    Haven't had all of them but it would be Pannepot right now.

    Drank a lot of Gulden Draak when I first got in to Belgians. So that would be up there.
     
    #36 the_trystero, Jun 23, 2015
  17. horseblanketfunk

    horseblanketfunk Aspirant (253) May 5, 2011 California

    Gouden Carolus Cuvée van de Keizer Blauw.

    I have three kids and I have three bottles aging for their 21st birthdays. In three years I will be sharing a 2008, 10 year old bottle with my oldest son who just graduated from high school. Three years later I will open a 2009, 12 year old bottle with my younger son who just finished his first year of high school. And two years after that I get to share a 2010, 13 year old bottle with my daughter who just finished her first year of middle school.
     
    #37 horseblanketfunk, Jun 23, 2015
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  18. diablo14

    diablo14 Initiate (0) Oct 12, 2003 Illinois

    I am a huge fan of the St Bernardus Prior 8, but the Abt 12 and Rochefort 10 are right there with it.
     
    #38 diablo14, Jun 23, 2015
  19. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

    Westvleteren 12, fresh, slightly aged, or well aged, is the most complex and delicious of that list.

    That poll, though, kinda makes me think, "Which of the Victoria Secret lingerie models do you like best?"

    Sorry to the women reading above, couldn't think of how to equalize that for you.
     
    #39 cavedave, Jun 23, 2015
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  20. Lurchus

    Lurchus Zealot (733) Jan 19, 2014 Germany

    N'ice Chouffe, my favorite winter warmer. Dark,spices, strong........I drink it fresh and with 1-2 years on it. Never had it older.
     
    #40 Lurchus, Jun 23, 2015
    McMatt7 likes this.
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