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Belgium Beer TastingsPosted 11/13/2007 by Steven Beauchamp
I’m not sure why—but good beer tastes even better in the Fall. Maybe a beer's golden brown color reminds me of the leaves falling outside. Or maybe the crispy, hearty taste fortifies me for the coming winter. Or maybe it's just that I'm bored and need a change. Regardless, I recently stopped in at my friendly grocer, Cosentino’s Market in Brookside, and picked up three Belgium brews for a Fall beer tasting. Each of them were quite different from each other, but they all packed a punch that will surely satisfy your unique Fall brew cravings.
1. St. Bernardus Abt 12
St. Bernardus Abt 12 is a traditional abbey ale brewed in the classic style of Belgium's Trappist Monks. The Abt 12 has received its fair share of attention—achieving a rare 100 points from Ratebeer.com and winning several gold medals from the World Beer Championship. Nevertheless, I was skeptical-- one 11.2 oz bottle has shelf price of nearly $3.50. That’s a pricey partial pint. This beer needed to impress. Impress it did. Judging from the color and style, I anticipated a big taste, so I properly prepared it using a large wine glass that gave the beer some room to breathe. The pour produced a dark brown color with some amber highlights and a thick, billowing head. The smell from the Abt 12 is complex— with layers of sweet malt, fermented red fruits, and some spice. The taste followed the smell— but was smoother and easier to drink than I had anticipated. I would classify it as sweet and rich, with hints of cherries, vanilla, caramel, and roasted malt. The high alcohol content yields a sharp but quick finish that mellows and has a nice effect on the palate. While I like to avoid numerical ratings, the Abt 12 is a first-class sipping beer that is both tasty and unique. 2. Hoegaarden
The White Beer is a 400-year old style that died out in the 1950s but was revived and made famous by Pierre Celis, a milkman who founded the Brouwerij de Kluis, which brews Hoegaardeen in Flanders. Hoegaarden has become the standard for Belgium white beer and has influenced many American brewers, including Kansas City’s own Boulevard Brewery and its “Zon” Belgian-Style White (Wit) Beer.
A white beer is a particular kind of wheat beer, commonly called witbier in Dutch and bi?re blanche in French, that contains fruity notes and spices, including coriander and orange peel. The wheat is what gives the white beers a moderate sweetness, and they are often served with a slice of lemon or orange.
Hoegaarden is a cloudy yellow and that quickly forms a thick white head. The taste is sweet and tangy with a citrus bite that is followed by a clean, crisp finish. While this beer is light-bodied and very drinkable, it is not nearly as complex as the Abt 12 or other abby ales. Nevertheless, it’s a tasty and refreshing, and without the high alcohol content, you can enjoy this one without too much inhibition. 3. Duvel
Founded in 1871 by Jan-Leonard Moortgat with a name that means "Devil" in Flemish, Duvel is arguably the first and most famous Belgium beer to be categorized as a blonde ale. Its appearance is quite clear, with a paler color and slightly less fluffy, dense head.
Duvel’s aroma is much more subtle, with notes of honey and pear and with a hint of malt and alcohol. It has a slight citrus and sour flavor that is masked by a malty and alcohol finish.
Overall, the beer yields a clean, light and refreshing taste despite its relatively high alcohol content. Duvel is really a perfect illustration of Belgium’s signature concept-- a complex but drinkable beer. While many try to emulate it, no one does it quite like Belgium. |
