Belgian Ales

[delhalew]

Any body like a good trappist ale?
If you're like me you skip the dubbel and the tripple, and go straight for a quad.
Do like to drink sour beer...on PURPOSE:eek:
http://www.belgianstyle.com/mmguide/style/abbey.html

Maybe you like a light farmhouse ale. The options are limitless.

[Mongo]

chimay

[sappstuf]

WITBIER

http://images1.makefive.com/images/entertainment/culture/best-beer/hoegaarden-7.jpg

[virginiasooner]

I love the lambic beers -- raspberry and apple are delicious! Stella Artois is good, along with Chimay.

[Boomer.....]

WITBIER

http://images1.makefive.com/images/entertainment/culture/best-beer/hoegaarden-7.jpg

Mmmmmm....Hoegaarden

[2121Sooner]

The Belgians know how to drink beer.

Ridiculous

[delhalew]

The wide variety of Belgian ales is the clearest example of the basic fact that a century ago water was just as likely to kill you as quench you.

The monks would like the low gravity ales during lent. The farmhands would drink Saison all day to stay hydrated, and the second running off the brewing process would be used to make a table beer, suitable for even the children.

The advent of the automobile is what I believe has finally done away with the idea of drinking beer all day long. That and the fact that our water now only kills us slowly.

[2121Sooner]

Once they figure out how to put Fluoride in beer it's over!!!

[delhalew]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/delhalew/images-3-1.jpg

[JohnnyMack]

Cantillon pwns you all. Nothing else even comes close.

[rs.soonerfans]

Duvel

[OutlandTrophy]

Browning .45

[delhalew]

Cantillon pwns you all. Nothing else even comes close.

How is their distribution? I don't recall ever seeing it around.
Do they focus on lambic?

[JohnnyMack]

How is their distribution? I don't recall ever seeing it around.
Do they focus on lambic?

Their distribution is terrible, thus encouraging their status as a pretentious, super elite brewery. You can find some of their stuff up in Springfield, MO. That's the closest place I know of that has it.

Yeah, it's mostly lambics. The Lou Pepe Framboise is something I'd kill 1tc with a shovel to have regular access to. Also their Iris is amazing.

[delhalew]

For those who aren't familiar with the term lambic, but are curious, you can read this.http://beer.about.com/od/ale/p/lambic.htm

Put simply, it is beer left open to spontaneously ferment with wild yeast. This can result in a very thin beer, so a requisite amount of wheat is used for added body. Sometimes fruit is used to balance the tart sourness resulting from the wild yeast.

[delhalew]

Big ups to the Strong Golden.
http://belgianstyle.com/mmguide/style/golden.html

[GKeeper316]

my mom just got back from a 3 weeks vaca in europe and brought gifts... lots of belgian chocolate (which is better than swiss imo) and a whole suitcase full of belgian beers. ive only had 2-3 so far, and they're pretty good, but i'll take a sam adams over a chimay almost any day.

[NormanPride]

I have gotten kind of tired of bretanomyces. It is overplayed now and I need a break from it before going back.

[delhalew]

I have gotten kind of tired of bretanomyces. It is overplayed now and I need a break from it before going back.

Definitely a fad close to reaching double super mega hops up your *** IPA proportions.

[hawaii 5-0]

I luv Stella on tap in a frosty mug.



5-0


Trump/ Newt 2012

[NormanPride]

Definitely a fad close to reaching double super mega hops up your *** IPA proportions.
So what's the next fad? Flavored beers? I've seen a few but not a ton. Herb beers?

[delhalew]

I luv Stella on tap in a frosty mug.



5-0


Trump/ Newt 2012

If you haven't had other Belgians, give some a try. Most have a much more pronounced yeast flavor due to fermenting at a higher temperature.

[delhalew]

So what's the next fad? Flavored beers? I've seen a few but not a ton. Herb beers?

Your on the right track. Fruit beers. And not good fruit beers like a Belgian Kriek, but instead dumping fruit extracts in everything.

[EnragedOUfan]

Although some Belgian beer tastes OK, German beer blows Belgian beer out of the water.........I stayed a couple of nights in a small town called Bouillon, Belgium and although having one of their fruit flavored beers is not bad, having multiple is disgusting......

[delhalew]

Although some Belgian beer tastes OK, German beer blows Belgian beer out of the water.........I stayed a couple of nights in a small town called Bouillon, Belgium and although having one of their fruit flavored beers is not bad, having multiple is disgusting......

That is why you drink a Trappist or a Saison if you want something easy drinking like a German. If you want a lager, you may as well have a German.

Belgians have more flavor than some are prepared for.

[JohnnyMack]

Although some Belgian beer tastes OK, German beer blows Belgian beer out of the water.........I stayed a couple of nights in a small town called Bouillon, Belgium and although having one of their fruit flavored beers is not bad, having multiple is disgusting......

Prepare for the wrath of :dean:

[northspeter]

love the belgian beers... hoegarden, stella, grimbergen, duvel, saison dupont... i really like the belgian blondes... witbier's... orange and coriander... lots of american breweries make a good belgian witbier...

[2121Sooner]

Stella and Bitburger are my favorite beers

Stella is in the fridge right now. Might have to go have about 4 of them.

[northspeter]

for an inexpensive american version of belgian witbier... southhampton double white... is very very good...

[King Barry's Back]

i'll take a sam adams over a chimay almost any day.

Well, each to his own.

I lived in Brussels for four years (anybody else on here living/lived in Belgium?), and can state with authority that beers produced elsewhere can not even pretend to be in a league with the great Belgian brewmasters.

As an example, Germany is normally considered the world's number 2 beer maker (I live in Germany now), and I was thoroughly disappointed in Germany's selection.

Beer just dominates the social life in Belgium, like wine does in France. Belgium has cheap beers you drink over your simple family dinners (Maes, Jupiler and of course Stella Artois), plenty of very good but mass produced beers (Leffe is probably the best known lable in the States, Duvel would be my favorite here), numerous artisanaal varieties (La Chouffe for something light, dozens more if you're interested), and then at the top of the pyramid the very, very fine Trappist Ales. Westvleteren is by far the best, but I don't think that is available anywhere in the States.

Besides the overall quality of most Belgian beers, the variety is just stunning. Lambics (often made super-sweet like KoolAde) would be barely recognized as beer by Americans. Witbiers (like Hoegardden) are simple wheat beers (the Germans DO do wheat beer better than the Belgians), usually cloudy, light and refreshing.

Then there are all the ales, etc.

Belgian beers in the States tend to be shockingly expensive, and I can't figure why. They mostly sell for about 1.10 euros or so in Brussels.

Geez, I want to move back.

[King Barry's Back]

Although some Belgian beer tastes OK, German beer blows Belgian beer out of the water.........I stayed a couple of nights in a small town called Bouillon, Belgium and although having one of their fruit flavored beers is not bad, having multiple is disgusting......

Yeah, you shouldn't drink multiple fruit beers. I never drink those at all, but they sure do get a lot of attention outside of Belgium.

[Jammin']

Several great beers have already been mentioned. And I'd rec'd you try this one as well if you haven't already:

http://www.nietvervelen.nl/bier/bierposters/delirium%20tremens-klein.jpg

[OUMallen]

Where to find the delirium?

If you're a witbier-style guy, I'm telling you, get a little bit of this guy right here:

http://www.andrewsvirtualbrewery.com/images/blanche_chambly2.jpg

Widley available and bad-a** for warmer months. Serve it pretty cold at first, definitely use tall-narrow glassware, and enjoy. I love this sucker.

[northspeter]

Where to find the delirium?

If you're a witbier-style guy, I'm telling you, get a little bit of this guy right here:

http://www.andrewsvirtualbrewery.com/images/blanche_chambly2.jpg

Widley available and bad-a** for warmer months. Serve it pretty cold at first, definitely use tall-narrow glassware, and enjoy. I love this sucker.

unibroue makes a great beer...

[delhalew]

This thread is working. I've got some new things to try next time I go to the boozeteria.:D

[Jammin']

Where to find the delirium?

If you're a witbier-style guy, I'm telling you, get a little bit of this guy right here:

http://www.andrewsvirtualbrewery.com/images/blanche_chambly2.jpg

Widley available and bad-a** for warmer months. Serve it pretty cold at first, definitely use tall-narrow glassware, and enjoy. I love this sucker.

I picked up some in Texas last time I was there. Not sure if they sell it here or not? I hope so. And I'll definitely try the wit. Thanks!

[JohnnyMack]

Unibroue is pretty widely available in OK. Their Trois Pistoles is solid as is Maudite and La Fin du Monde.

But it's Canadien.

[Jammin']

Unibroue is pretty widely available in OK. Their Trois Pistoles is solid as is Maudite and La Fin du Monde.

But it's Canadien.

Sweet. I love La Fin... And Canada.

[Fraggle145]

unibroue makes a great beer...

In. And Maudite is the ****.

[OUMallen]

I haven't had a Maudite in some time, but everything Unibroue does is done well.

[MeMyself&Me]

I never tried a Belgian style beer until I attended a homebrew club meeting in OKC for the first time in '03 or '04 (I'd already been brewing for quite a while). Seems like that club was all about Belgians cause it was just about all anybody ever had. I couldn't stand them at the time for whatever reason. Discovered I didn't mind Chimey red label but I certainly rather have something else. I don't remember what they were serving now but I know now that I LOVE the lighter colored strong Belgians... and it started when I first tried Duval. For those that I like, off the top of my head:

Duval
Chimey Cinq Cents (white label)
Golden Monkey (made in the good ole USA)

and now for my favorite all time beer (except for my own):

http://www.geo.uw.edu.pl/GALERIA/BEER/B/PUURS/puurs009.gif

Maredsous Triple (until recently it was called Maredsous 10)



By the way guys, if you say Chimey, you really need to say which one. I don't know which one you mean.

[delhalew]

I never tried a Belgian style beer until I attended a homebrew club meeting in OKC for the first time in '03 or '04 (I'd already been brewing for quite a while). Seems like that club was all about Belgians cause it was just about all anybody ever had. I couldn't stand them at the time for whatever reason. Discovered I didn't mind Chimey red label but I certainly rather have something else. I don't remember what they were serving now but I know now that I LOVE the lighter colored strong Belgians... and it started when I first tried Duval. For those that I like, off the top of my head:

Duval
Chimey Cinq Cents (white label)
Golden Monkey (made in the good ole USA)

and now for my favorite all time beer (except for my own):

http://www.geo.uw.edu.pl/GALERIA/BEER/B/PUURS/puurs009.gif

Maredsous Triple (until recently it was called Maredsous 10)



By the way guys, if you say Chimey, you really need to say which one. I don't know which one you mean.

What is availability like on the Maredsous? I don't recall ever seeing it.

[MeMyself&Me]

I see it around from time to time in various places so it's not like it's some secret that's hard to find. In fact, I think the first time I had it was at a restaurant... they had a belgian beer menu (about 10 or so) and there it was. I can get it at a local store here in Abilene (which is beer hell in terms of beer distribution in Tejas) so I suspect there is a good chance you can get it at your favorite beer store. If they don't have it, ask if they can get some in.

[Jammin']

Have we discussed this one yet? Oh. My. God.

http://www.accidentalhedonist.com/media/3919811454_1f26f3bd97.jpg

[delhalew]

Have we discussed this one yet? Oh. My. God.

http://www.accidentalhedonist.com/media/3919811454_1f26f3bd97.jpg

I can't remember, but pic is making me mighty thirsty!

[Jammin']

I can't remember, but pic is making me mighty thirsty!

delhalew, I've played my aces for you. you get a few of these and a few of the delirium I posted earlier in this thread and you will be set.

[delhalew]

delhalew, I've played my aces for you. you get a few of these and a few of the delirium I posted earlier in this thread and you will be set.

That's beautiful. Of all the beers I love, the Belgians are really growing on me the most.

[delhalew]

I tried Boulevard's Tank 7 farmhouse ale from their Smokestack series. Very light and easy drinking. So much so, that I didn't notice it was 8% abv. until I got a buzz from drinking the whole 750m bottle. Very tasty.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/423/50570
http://www.lakewoodbrewingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/lbc_tank7_review.jpg

[OhU1]

Delhalew, I had the same experience with a farmhouse ale by Great Divide two weeks ago. Great Divide Colette. I only had one bottle from a sample pack but I was immediately impressed. I had never had a Saison or "farmhouse ale" before. I also was surprised by the relatively high alcohol content of such an easy drinking beer.

http://365beers.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/great_divide_colette_farmhouse_ale.jpg

[delhalew]

Delhalew, I had the same experience with a farmhouse ale by Great Divide two weeks ago. Great Divide Colette. I only had one bottle from a sample pack but I was immediately impressed. I had never had a Saison or "farmhouse ale" before. I also was surprised by the relatively high alcohol content of such an easy drinking beer.

http://365beers.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/great_divide_colette_farmhouse_ale.jpg

I'm willing to bet that Great Divide is a little better, but I know that both are great American examples of the style. Such an excellent summer beer...no driving afterward.

[OutlandTrophy]

I tried Boulevard's Tank 7 farmhouse ale from their Smokestack series. Very light and easy drinking. So much so, that I didn't notice it was 8% abv. until I got a buzz from drinking the whole 750m bottle. Very tasty.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/423/50570
http://www.lakewoodbrewingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/lbc_tank7_review.jpg

is this going to taste like a belgian white beer?

I sure hope not as I have $12 worth of it in the fridge.

[Mjcpr]

Does it only come in keg size?

[Jammin']

is this going to taste like a belgian white beer?

I sure hope not as I have $12 worth of it in the fridge.

it is not. it is good. enjoy.

[OutlandTrophy]

whew, best news I've had all day

[NormanPride]

They have 4 packs of Tank 7 now. I lurve them.

[OhU1]

They have 4 packs of Tank 7 now. I lurve them.

Good. I wish more brewers would offer 4 packs of their best big beers. A 22 oz. bottle of a 8 - 11% beers is a lot to take on sometimes.

[Jammin']

Good. I wish more brewers would offer 4 packs of their best big beers. A 22 oz. bottle of a 8 - 11% beers is a lot to take on sometimes.

OhU, it's one thing to think that, it's entirely different to publicly say/post it. Maybe next time you should consult Frank Vincent on this matter before making a fool of yourself.

YWIA.

[OhU1]

OhU, it's one thing to think that, it's entirely different to publicly say/post it. Maybe next time you should consult Frank Vincent on this matter before making a fool of yourself.

YWIA.

I'm not insecure about my beer manhood. I can put them away. :P

But I don't always want the equivalent of 3-4 "normal beers" of one style during a session. 12 oz bottles let you break it down, share, ect. Glad Boulevard is doing the 4 packs with their Smokestack brews. Still got 2 of their Chocolate Stout's in the fridge.

[Jammin']

I'm not insecure about my beer manhood. I can put them away. :P

But I don't always want the equivalent of 3-4 "normal beers" of one style during a session. 12 oz bottles let you break it down, share, ect. Glad Boulevard is doing the 4 packs with their Smokestack brews. Still got 2 of their Chocolate Stout's in the fridge.


You can't always get what you want, but sometimes, if you try, you get what you need.



I'm with you Oh. Just being stupid while bored. I am going to open a big boy tonight now though...in honor of summer, of course.

[OhU1]

You can't always get what you want, but sometimes, if you try, you get what you need.



I'm with you Oh. Just being stupid while bored. I am going to open a big boy tonight now though...in honor of summer, of course.

Having "too much beer" is not a bad problem to have. :D At least they don't sell Sierra Nevada Bigfoot only in a 40.

[OUMallen]

is this going to taste like a belgian white beer?

I sure hope not as I have $12 worth of it in the fridge.

Call me and I can help you with that issue. :D

[Jammin']

You can't always get what you want, but sometimes, if you try, you get what you need.



I'm with you Oh. Just being stupid while bored. I am going to open a big boy tonight now though...in honor of summer, of course.

FTR: a pint of boulevards sixth glass on the patio.

[OUMallen]

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/423/36333

Just got my hands on three of these bad boys. They have them at Broadway Wine Merchants downtown if anyone is interested!

Boulevard Saison-Brett for those that don't click.

[NormanPride]

The Brett is the beer that the Tank 7 was going to be once it aged on the bretanomyces yeast (a wild strain). It gets better and better the more you age it. My suggestion - drink one, then age the rest. Next year, drink one of the new ones and one of the aged ones next to each other. The year after that, likewise.

I know, the temptation will be soul-rending.

[Jammin']

The Brett is the beer that the Tank 7 was going to be once it aged on the bretanomyces yeast (a wild strain). It gets better and better the more you age it. My suggestion - drink one, then age the rest. Next year, drink one of the new ones and one of the aged ones next to each other. The year after that, likewise.

I know, the temptation will be soul-rending.

I appreciate this advice and will let you know now that there is no way I could possibly do this. I have no control of me at night.

[OUMallen]

The Brett is the beer that the Tank 7 was going to be once it aged on the bretanomyces yeast (a wild strain). It gets better and better the more you age it. My suggestion - drink one, then age the rest. Next year, drink one of the new ones and one of the aged ones next to each other. The year after that, likewise.

I know, the temptation will be soul-rending.

I think I am going to drink one tonight, age one a year and maybe drink around my wedding (6/2/12), and then I thought I might deal the 3rd one if there was a market for it.

(I missed out on the Sam Adams collaboration that yielded infinium, so now I don't take chances.)

[OUMallen]

Also, the Choc wild brew is out too. I loved it last year, so I grabbed two this year. Looks like instead of Marshall, the collaboration is with the Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers.

[NormanPride]

I don't know that there will be much market for it, since they've come out with it two years straight. Maybe if you age it a few years?

And last year's collaboration ale was better, IMO. FOAM is... okay.

[Jammin']

Has anyone tried Redbud Brewery's "Cuvee 1" or their Pale Ale?

Cuvee one is their Belgian style Golden Ale. I need to try this.

[NormanPride]

Yes! I did just the other day. If I remember correctly it tasted of grapefruit, which was nice.

[delhalew]

I think I am going to drink one tonight, age one a year and maybe drink around my wedding (6/2/12), and then I thought I might deal the 3rd one if there was a market for it.

(I missed out on the Sam Adams collaboration that yielded infinium, so now I don't take chances.)

If you didn't want too much for it, I'd be in. I am incapable of aging beer.

[Jammin']

Yes! I did just the other day. If I remember correctly it tasted of grapefruit, which was nice.

Grapefruit? Hmmm. I'm definitely going to have to try it.

[JohnnyMack]

Also, the Choc wild brew is out too. I loved it last year, so I grabbed two this year. Looks like instead of Marshall, the collaboration is with the Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers.

Drank that last night. Super dry and plenty of tasty Belgian yeast. Drink it now, drink it fresh, it'll probably turn sweet and mushy sooner than later.

[OUMallen]

I don't know that there will be much market for it, since they've come out with it two years straight. Maybe if you age it a few years?

And last year's collaboration ale was better, IMO. FOAM is... okay.

:( I loved last year's and bought 2 this year just based on my experience last year.

[OUMallen]

Has anyone tried Redbud Brewery's "Cuvee 1" or their Pale Ale?

Cuvee one is their Belgian style Golden Ale. I need to try this.

Cuvee 1- didn't love it. Something about it didn't seem balanced to me, it was almost cloying.

Pale Ale- LOVED it. They have it on tap at RePUBlic. I loved it. A lot. Very proud of Chase. He's a credit to OKC.

[OUMallen]

If you didn't want too much for it, I'd be in. I am incapable of aging beer.

I wouldn't want to profit off board brothers. I was hoping to sell and ship to a collector outside the Boulevard distribution area. I might take it to a beer-phile buddy of mine in L.A. next month to see what he thinks.

[delhalew]

What liquor store is your favorite in the metro area?

[delhalew]

I wouldn't want to profit off board brothers. I was hoping to sell and ship to a collector outside the Boulevard distribution area. I might take it to a beer-phile buddy of mine in L.A. next month to see what he thinks.

That's a better idea. I need to just drive to a real store, and have some discipline.

[OUMallen]

What liquor store is your favorite in the metro area?

If we're talking beers, the Broadway Wine Merchants really pay attention and are convenient for me since I work downtown. They'r ethe kind of people that will call you when something comes in and are really nice.


If we're talking handles of vodka that my girlfriend drinks, I have to go to Byron's for the economy of it.

[delhalew]

If we're talking beers, the Broadway Wine Merchants really pay attention and are convenient for me since I work downtown. They'r ethe kind of people that will call you when something comes in and are really nice.


If we're talking handles of vodka that my girlfriend drinks, I have to go to Byron's for the economy of it.

Yeah. Im talking brew selection. I can get cheap booze in my neck of the woods.

[OUMallen]

Yeah. Im talking brew selection. I can get cheap booze in my neck of the woods.

I really like the BWM. I don't know that they have a huge selection, but they have quality on the shelf and they have local on the shelf.

[delhalew]

I really like the BWM. I don't know that they have a huge selection, but they have quality on the shelf and they have local on the shelf.

Sounds good. I was lucky to find some Belgians at my local store. I bought them all, and they never got any more. No smokestack, no Ommegang.

They don't even have Great Divide...which I love.(not Belgian, just the brewery in general)

No locals...disappointing.

[OUMallen]

Sounds good. I was lucky to find some Belgians at my local store. I bought them all, and they never got any more. No smokestack, no Ommegang.

They don't even have Great Divide...which I love.(not Belgian, just the brewery in general)

No locals...disappointing.

Oh man, if that's what you're looking for, both Byron's and the BWM have those, and I bet some of those larger The Cellar stores do too, now. There's one in Norman and one on N. May in town now. Let me know if you're trying to track somehting down and I can try to help. I love this stuff.

[Jammin']

Cuvee 1- didn't love it. Something about it didn't seem balanced to me, it was almost cloying.

Pale Ale- LOVED it. They have it on tap at RePUBlic. I loved it. A lot. Very proud of Chase. He's a credit to OKC.

Thanks Mallen, I'll give Cuvee a try and maybe load up on some pale ale.


What liquor store is your favorite in the metro area?

North Oak Wine and Spirits on Danforth between Kelly and Santa Fe is my store. They have a great selection of beer and when Chase started Redbud, gave me his card, let me know when they expected to have some in, etc...they take care of me pretty well.

[OUMallen]

Thanks Mallen, I'll give Cuvee a try and maybe load up on some pale ale.



North Oak Wine and Spirits on Danforth between Kelly and Santa Fe is my store. They have a great selection of beer and when Chase started Redbud, gave me his card, let me know when they expected to have some in, etc...they take care of me pretty well.

Definitely try the Cuvee. I don't have any special experience or palette for Belgians, so it might be an amazing one and I just didn't "get" it.

If/when I see his pale ale, though, I'm loading up.

[BillyBall]

I love good Belgian beers. If you haven't tried it, try the Urthel Hop-It. It will make you a better person.

[OUMallen]

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/423/36333

Just got my hands on three of these bad boys. They have them at Broadway Wine Merchants downtown if anyone is interested!

Boulevard Saison-Brett for those that don't click.

Also have them for ten at Byrons

This is making me so happy. The balance is impeccable.

You know the end of Ratatouille when the critic freezes when he tastes the dish and zooms to a memory of complete solace? That's me.

[delhalew]

Very much enjoying this Ommagang Witte. Good summer brew.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/42/16506

http://www.kegliquors.com/images/products/Ommegang_Witte.jpg

[northspeter]

Very much enjoying this Ommagang Witte. Good summer brew.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/42/16506

http://www.kegliquors.com/images/products/Ommegang_Witte.jpg

i love all of the ommegang brews... witte is very good...

[delhalew]

i love all of the ommegang brews... witte is very good...

So far I've had the Witte and Three Philosophers, which I absolutely LOVE.

[delhalew]

Why I decided to start with a Quad before eating anything...I can't say, but I'm really enjoying this 750ml of Boulevard's Sixth Glass. Those fuggers do good work.

[Jammin']

Why I decided to start with a Quad before eating anything...I can't say, but I'm really enjoying this 750ml of Boulevard's Sixth Glass. Those fuggers do good work.

Sixth Glass is serious business. I will keep an eye out for pics of the ladies shortly. :D

[soonerboomer93]

they actually have a new local one here called Boner (with the accents over the o)

http://boner-beer.com/TheBrew.aspx

[delhalew]

they actually have a new local one here called Boner (with the accents over the o)

http://boner-beer.com/TheBrew.aspx

Is that Belgian? The only thing I learned from the website is titties are pretty cool.

[northspeter]

So far I've had the Witte and Three Philosophers, which I absolutely LOVE.

i have had the abbey ale also and if you are in to saison's rigt now... the hennipin is excellent... haven't tried the rare vos yet... that's next on my list..

[delhalew]

I've had some good Belgian's today.

This. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/delhalew/IMAG0089.jpg

And this. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/delhalew/IMAG0094.jpg

Also, this.http://fourfirkins.cloudprofile.com/photos/medium/15378.PNG

[soonerboomer93]

Is that Belgian? The only thing I learned from the website is titties are pretty cool.


The debut recipe, Böner Sun-kissed Wheat, is a Belgian-style Wheat ale that is the best you’ll ever taste. Our secret? In addition to using the finest ingredients found in a Belgian-style White, we added a touch of pineapple!

Oh, and I know some of the females in the pictures.

[OhU1]

Anyone had Orval? I'm finishing my first and am curious of other people's opinions. It's rather dry, nothing like Chimay or other Trappist beers I've had. It's not bad but I expected more. Frankly it tastes like a decent home brew to me. There is a spiciness to it, perhaps I'm just not into the dryness of the brew?

Oh well, on to Maredsous Triple!

http://legalbeer.com/images/orval%20trappist%20ale.jpg

[OhU1]

Just finished the Maredsous. Wow! Amazing. Some Triple is on the light side relatively, not this one. Maredsous is bursting with rich flavor. I couldn't help myself from sniffing the aroma of this from my glass before each drink. This is my first Maredsous, it will not be my last.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Q0n_DhH07V4/SpMDAXBInsI/AAAAAAAABAk/KJwypKauo1g/s400/Maredsous+Abbaye+Tripel.jpg

[delhalew]

Just finished the Maredsous. Wow! Amazing. Some Triple is on the light side relatively, not this one. Maredsous is bursting with rich flavor. I couldn't help myself from sniffing the aroma of this from my glass before each drink. This is my first Maredsous, it will not be my last.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Q0n_DhH07V4/SpMDAXBInsI/AAAAAAAABAk/KJwypKauo1g/s400/Maredsous+Abbaye+Tripel.jpg

It's going on the list.

[Jammin']

It's going on the list.

agreed.


Just got back from Texas, picked up more Delirium, Dogfishhead's 60 min and several flavors of New Belgium. Chilling now and they'll be ready for the weekend. Tonight: Three Philosophers...maybe.

[northspeter]

agreed.


Just got back from Texas, picked up more Delirium, Dogfishhead's 60 min and several flavors of New Belgium. Chilling now and they'll be ready for the weekend. Tonight: Three Philosophers...maybe.

ive been tempted to buy some maredsous a number of times... haven't pulled the trigger... more intrigued now... something about three philosophers didnt sit well with me the one time i tried it... i dont know, maybe i need to try it again...

[delhalew]

The 3P has turned into a staple at my house.

[OUMallen]

I've had some good Belgian's today.

This. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/delhalew/IMAG0089.jpg

And this. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/delhalew/IMAG0094.jpg

Also, this.http://fourfirkins.cloudprofile.com/photos/medium/15378.PNG

That is a he'll of a day. Where were you????

[Jammin']

It got too late for a pint so I went with great divides Hercules.

[delhalew]

That is a he'll of a day. Where were you????

Well, I started at the Flying Saucer in Kansas City...at 11AM. I got so durnky, I went on a tear through downtown KC that resulted in the worst hangover I have had in a long time.

[JohnnyMack]

Orval...it is a gift. Cherish it.

[delhalew]

Well the local store had **** all, but I do have some Chimay chilling. I'll drink some Ommegang Witte in the meantime in between time.:D

[King Barry's Back]

Have we discussed this one yet? Oh. My. God.

http://www.accidentalhedonist.com/media/3919811454_1f26f3bd97.jpg

How did I miss this post back in May? Yes, "On. My. God." is right. Rochefort is a fabulous beer, one of the world-renowned Trappist beers -- which even today are still brewed by monks living in monasteries.

A little history on the variety of Belgian beers, which can have alcohol content approaching those of wine.

In 1918, Belgium made it illegal to sell liquor in bars. I don't know why, but it's easy to guess that, as the war had just ended and Belgian industry had been savaged under four years of German occupation, they were trying to help their brewing industry get back up on its feet.

Since Belgians couldn't drink liquor, they needed higher alcohol content beers, and the brewers responded. The result was a flowering of new brews, many of which are still drunk today.

Another interesting tid bit is that the Belgians use a wide variety of spices and fruit flavorings to enhance and broaden the flavors of their beers. Contrast this with German brewers, who labored under Beer Purity Laws since the 1400s. These dictated that only water, barley, hops and/or wheat could be used to make beer. So basically, German beers all taste the same, at least compared to the awesome variety of Belgian beers (up to 900 varieties from that tiny country). Most people, including myself, do not approve of the Belgian fruit beers, which are very (almost enough to make you feel sick) sweet. If you feel that way, DON'T DRINK THOSE! There's over 800 other beers to try.

I guess a number of American breweries are now offering "Belgian style" beers of their own. I understand this tendency, as Belgian beers clearly are the world standard, and they are extremely overpriced in the States. But the ones I've sampled are only a shadow of real Belgians, and also please bear in mind that Belgium produces hundreds of beers of staggering variety - so the phrase "Belgian style" really doesn't have much meaning. But they have to call it something, right?

[King Barry's Back]

Just finished the Maredsous. Wow! Amazing. Some Triple is on the light side relatively, not this one. Maredsous is bursting with rich flavor. I couldn't help myself from sniffing the aroma of this from my glass before each drink. This is my first Maredsous, it will not be my last.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Q0n_DhH07V4/SpMDAXBInsI/AAAAAAAABAk/KJwypKauo1g/s400/Maredsous+Abbaye+Tripel.jpg

While Maredsous is certainly a good (not great) beer, the glass in the photo is actually for Westmalle beer. A Belgian would say, 'Why don't Americans ever serve anything properly!'

[King Barry's Back]

Orval...it is a gift. Cherish it.

This.

[King Barry's Back]

While Maredsous is certainly a good (not great) beer, the glass in the photo is actually for Westmalle beer. A Belgian would say, 'Why don't Americans ever serve anything properly!'

I just looked at that photo again, and you can actually see the "W" for Westmalle in the photo. If you look inside the rim, you will see what looks like three small humps peeking over the right side of the head of the beer. Those are the peaks on the W.

I'm sure nobody else cares about this, but I am pretty much a purist on Belgian beers.

Also, if one of the posters took this photo for his own use, my apologies. That's a fine photo.

My only beef is if that's a published photo.

[MeMyself&Me]

While Maredsous is certainly a good (not great) beer...

Blasphemy!!!

[northspeter]

last nite, started with Choc Summer Belgian Blonde Ale... then had a few Lost Lake pilsner cans... went to the local tavern where i got a Coop DNR and a couple Redbud Ales... came back home and finished off a few more Lost Lakes... it was a good night...