I think I like Belgian beer

[wingnutsglory]

Originally Posted by faust

Yep, I picked one up when I was in Antwerp in '03. I still use the bottle as a candle holder . BTW, I have consistently found Belgian beer to taste much better... well, in Belgium (or in Holland). I asked a beer store owner from whom I was buying the Chimay, and he said that the FDA requires beer exporters to kill the organic fermenting agents that give much of the taste to the beer. Don't know how true that is, but it made sense to me.

BTW, I really don't like the Rochefort 10, I thought it was too bitter.

My absolute fave is Westmalle Dubbel, but I also like Chimay Blue, Chimay Cinqe Cents, and Affligem. For simpler stuff, I like Leffe Bruin and Hoegaarden. I am not a big fan of Duvel. And I know it's a sin, but I think Corsendonk is good.

On a side note - Chimay cheeses are awesome!

Don't think that's true. Anyway, by the time most Belgian beers are released, yeasts are no longer contributing to the flavor. There's very little fermentation that goes on during the bottle conditioning stage...

 

[Trilby]

Originally Posted by aybojs

Liefmans' fruit beers aren't lambics; they use a Flemish sour brown ale base (i.e. the Liefmans' Goudenband) that lacks the wild yeast and spontaneous fermentation of lambics.

Many of the widely available fruit beers are extremely sweet. A glass of kriek can be an enjoyable drink on a hot day, but it's often like having a soft drink. I tried the Kriek de Ranke a couple of weeks ago, which was a revelation. It had a real kick to it, with the tartness of geuze mellowed out by the fruit flavour. Well worth a try if you see it.

 

[Tibo]

Originally Posted by arenaissanceman

That's why I said "all-around". I describe it as the Budweiser of Belgium

Originally Posted by skalogre

Nooo, that onerous distinction should go to Stella Artois (yes Whodini

). Shudder.

Funnily enough, the Belgian Budweiser is Jupiler which is virtually unknown out of the country. Jupiler and Stella (as well as Hoegaerden and a couple of others) are brands of Belgo-Brazilian InBev, and they decided to push Stella as their export brand in place of Jupiler. Belgians drink far more Jupiler than Stella.

 

[Seersucker]

Originally Posted by Tibo

Funnily enough, the Belgian Budweiser is Jupiler which is virtually unknown out of the country. Jupiler and Stella (as well as Hoegaerden and a couple of others) are brands of Belgo-Brazilian InBev, and they decided to push Stella as their export brand in place of Jupiler. Belgians drink far more Jupiler than Stella.

I'm with Tibo on this one. Have spent a great deal of time in Belgium and Stella is definitely in the minority even in the cafes.

Here in central Virginia, my suppliers are rather run of the mill. All of what Budweiser distributes for InBev plus a few choice selections. But no Jupiler or Maes or even Palm.

 

[ardeetee]

not sure if this was already mentioned, but I remember someone telling me that Stella is actually brewed in the northern parts of France, not Belgium. As far as Paris goes, the only beers I've had here are Chimay (blue and yellow label), Grimbergen, and Hoegaarden. I need to find myself a beer boutique where I can sample some of the rarer Belgiums... any leads?

 

[X-It]

Originally Posted by ardeetee

not sure if this was already mentioned, but I remember someone telling me that Stella is actually brewed in the northern parts of France, not Belgium.

As far as Paris goes, the only beers I've had here are Chimay (blue and yellow label), Grimbergen, and Hoegaarden. I need to find myself a beer boutique where I can sample some of the rarer Belgiums... any leads?

My best friend lives in Belgium.

I remember that when I visited her she and her Belgian husband took me for a day trip to Brugge and there is a shop which sale all kind of Belgium beers. Lots of tourists visit this particular shop to have samples of Belgium beers. I wish I knew what's the shop name...

Most Belgian like to drink Duvel and Maes Pils.

 

[The Wayfarer]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

I bought a case of 24 Chimay blue label recently, really on a whim and counting on the supposedly good reputation.

I quite enjoy the beer. I don't drink it with any food, just the beer itself, in a chalice-like glass. Despite the 9% alcohol content it's not really noticeable. It's got wonderful aroma and minimal bitter aftertaste, somewhat sweet/caramel-like. I'm hooked. The price is somewhat steep compared to others though.

I'm in the process of trying some of the other Trappist offerings.

Mm, I do loves me some Belgian beer. You should really consider putting a number of those aside for a few years. Since Chimay is made with a live yeast, it can be aged to bring out more complexities in the beer. I've never personally tried an aged Chimay but heard that it develops more of a sweetness and becomes even more well rounded. Many people age it for six, others up to sixteen years. I'd love to try it myself but, in a fit of strong craving, would probably imbibe of all my aging beauties before allowing them to reach maturity (that sounded rather pedophiliac).

 

[joneblaze]

Hoegaarden and the Leffe blonde stuff is great. There is also a damn good flavoured brew called Frolis, which comes in Peach, Mango or Apricot flavours. A bit girly but tastes fantastic.

 

[totally epic]

Honestly guys, I don't mean to come off as a prick, but talking about Chimay/Hoegaarden/Stella in a Belgian beer thread is like talking about Starbucks in a coffee thread. Yeah, they're better than the average beer, but they're not spectacular (i.e. not discussion worthy IMO) and rather ubiquitous.

 

[chronoaug]

This place near me sells hoegaarden on tap for cheap. I usually get it because if i'm out at a place that's not a dedicated beer bar, i just go for the cheapest available because i don't got monies for $9 bottles of beer that i could buy at the store for $3-4

 

[JesseJB]

St Bernardus Wit > Hoegaarden