Belgium beers...

[grainbrew]

Well, since I've been reading alot about beer and its culture, I've come across quite a few chapters of beers from Belgium. I have to admit, I have mostly explored english/Irish/American style ales and lagers. I have a soft spot for english bitters.

So, being a student of beer like most of us, I decided that it would be a wise and responsible decision to explore Belgium beers. I was told to start with Hoegaarden.

Although I'm sure the beer is well crafted, I could not drink more than a quarter of the pint. See, sour and tart tastes and me don't get along. I had to run for a bitter just to get that taste out of my mouth.

So my quesiton is this; are most belgium beers going to have "that" similar character? I would really like to enjoy these beers but am afraid that I naturally don't like them. Any suggestions?

J

[newportstorm]

Two things: first, please...it's Belgian beer, not Belgium beer. Just as you stated "English", "Irish" & "American" instead of England, Ireland and America. Not trying to bust your balls...OK, yes I am ;) Just a pet peeve of mine (and a few others).

Second, don't be put off all Belgian beers because you didn't like one representation of one style. Hoegaarden is a decent Wit, but far from my favorite. Give an American rendition like Allagash or Ommegang a try for another spin on the style. And if that fails, snag a Trippel (Allagash, St. Bernardus, Westmalle), Dubbel (Corsendonk Brown, Westy Blue Cap) or Saison/Biere de Garde (Jenlain, Fantome, Hennepin). Or just go nuts and grab a mixed Unibroue case.

Not sure if the sour/tart flavors were simply perceived to be strong by your palatte or they really were that strong. If it's the latter, it may not have been the freshest sample of Hoe. Anyway, don't give up on a country's offerings based on one experience. As you said, you have a soft spot for English Bitters - but surely, there must be one (I'm guessing several) Bitters out there that don't float your boat, yet you don't turn away from the style. Good luck.

Cheers!

[grainbrew]

What?!?! I went to my local english brewery, and they busted my balls when I asked for an england ale! They said "It's english ale". I think it comes down to what you want to call it!! I'm also french, so that pardons all my spelling and appellation mistakes.

But anyways...

I definately want to keep trying them. That's why I was posting. I really want to be able to enjoy a variety of beers.

As for bitters, if it's actually a bitter, I usually really enjoy it.

What about the trapist brews?

J

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by grainbrew
What?!?! I went to my local english brewery, and they busted my balls when I asked for an england ale! They said "It's english ale". I think it comes down to what you want to call it!! I'm also french, so that pardons all my spelling and appellation mistakes.

But anyways...

I definately want to keep trying them. That's why I was posting. I really want to be able to enjoy a variety of beers.

As for bitters, if it's actually a bitter, I usually really enjoy it.

What about the trapist brews?

J

Potayto, Potahto. Whatever.

And what about the Trappist brews? Definately worth your time, imo. Not all Belgian styles will have a certain characteristic. Some will be tart/sour (lambic, gueuze, Flanders Red, oud bruin). Some will be rich and fruity - dubbel, trippel. Spicy. Boozy. Bland. Complex. I've yet to meet a beer lover that can't find a Belgian style that appeals to them. Also, most will derive many of their unique flavors from the yeast strain used (be it wild or cultured).

Seriously, I'll assume you have some access to Unibroue products up there - grab a single, Xmas gift pack (3 bottles) or a mixed case. Investigate the Trappist beers and their non-Trappist counterparts - many of which are revered as much or more so. St. Bernardus. Urthel. Bosteels.....

Cheers!

[steveh]

Hmm, Hoegaarden shouldn't have been overly sour; sweet, crisp, and tart - yes. But sour is reserved for Gueuze - stay away from those Grainbrew! ;)

S.

[denver brewhoo]

I think grainbrew should try some blondes as a segue into Belgians. It's what i just did, after brewing one--wanted to se if I was close.

I've had these, in the past week or so:

Duvel
Leffe
Affligem Blonde
Achel Blonde (8%)
Orval
Val-Dieu Blonde
and i have a St. Sebastian and a Rochefort 6 on deck. Westvleteren doesn't seem to be available here.

These are Belgian session beers, mostly with alcohol in the 6 percent to 8 percent range. I'm gonna get into those Dubbels and Trippels in a while, but for now these are nice and accessible. A little funkiness and earthiness in the yeast, a little banana-clove, mostly sort of apples-and-pears and much sweeter than the english styles I'm more accustomed to, like grainbrew. My favorite is the Val-Dieu though i can certainly see why so many people are so in love with the Orval.

[Payson]

Yeah, there's something about Orval. Almost champagne-like. It's exquisite. Good suggestions Denver Brewhoo.

[grainbrew]

Are these beers similar to Hoegaarden? This is a wheat, or wit, beer.

I will keep trying.

How are the Trapist brews? I have access to some Shimays at the local store.

J

[denver brewhoo]

shimay shimay ko ko bop
shimay shimay bop

If fretlessman were around he might correct your spelling to "Chimay"

The beers I'm talking about are Belgian Pale Ales. I believe one of the Chimays may be a pale but i don't know which one it would be. If your store has Chimay I bet it has at least Duvel and Leffe, which I know for sure are Belgian Pales and not bad at all.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by grainbrew
Are these beers similar to Hoegaarden? This is a wheat, or wit, beer.

I will keep trying.

How are the Trapist brews? I have access to some Shimays at the local store.

J

None of the brews mentioned are really similar to Hoegaarden - 'cept for the few Wits I tossed out. Wit is a wheat, but spiced with orange peel, coriander, etc. Some of these beers may have some wheat in the grain bill and may have some spices/spicy characteristics but are not that similar to Hoe.

As far as Trappist brews - can't lump them all in together. The three most common Chimay's you'll probably see are the Premiere (Red) which is a Dubbel, Cinq Cents (White) which is a Trippel and Grande Reserve (Blue) which is a Strong Dark Ale. You might come across this one, a lower abv%, Belgian Pale Ale:

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/rate_results/215/1811/

Check out some reviews of Belgian styles and decide which ones sound interesting to you - then start experiementing:

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/style/

Cheers!

p.s. While I agree that Orval is a fantastic beer, due to the funkiness, it might not be a good next step for 'grainbrew'. Seems to be a love/hate beer based on the people I know.

[grainbrew]

they do carry leffe. Thanks!

[studentofbeer]

i also highly recommend duvel-- that was my first introduction to belgian beers, and it's still a favorite today. it's classified as a strong golden ale rather than pale ale i think, seeing as it's at tthe 8% mark. another belgian beer style i just adore is saison-- you could look out for saison dupont to start. also ommegang in NY makes a nice rendition of the style with their hennepin, which i highly recommend investigating as well. tho if a hoegaarden was too sour, these beers might be problematic. If you like sweeter beers, some of the dubbels and strong dark ales may be up your alley. goulden carolus, chimay red/blue, ommegang ommegang, unibroue maudite etc. like someone else said, the variety of belgian beers is so wide, you are bound to find some that you like. cheers!

[grainbrew]

I've also tried some Maudite and Fin du Monde, and did not enjoy the taste.

I guess I just don't enjoy that type of spicyness. Of all the belgian beers I've tried, they all had a similar "something" that I disliked. Perhaps, such beers are not for everyone?

I will however keep trying,

J