300 Belgian Beers and 2009

Hello Andreea ... now that you have tasted 297 Belgian beers are there 4 or 5 that you would consider favorites?

John from TX

Hi John from TX,

We did indeed make our way through 300 Belgian Beers and there are always favorites. Depending on mood and offer, I'll never turn down a fresh Leffe Blonde or in the summer, a Hoegaarden. Yes, we are spoiled with choice in Belgium but there is only that much effort you can put into always trying out a new beer.

However, 5 Belgian Beers stood out this past 300 beers - in no particular order:

La Rulles

Owa

Belgoo Magus

Hofnar

Bloemenbier

And with this, dear Belgian Beer friends I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and let's make it to 400 in 2009!

Cheers,

Andreea.

Belgian Beer no.300: St Feuillien Cuvee de Noel

We drink the St Feuillien fairly regularly, but this is the first time I got around to try the Cuvee de Noel.

It's almost Christmas time so that means a lot of Christmas beers. Which is great if you ask me. We are in constant daze from such great, rich and very strong beers.

At 9% this is again a ruby beer, full of aromas and spices, smooth and with hints of caramel. Again, delicious. But let me remind you: strong!

And voila dear Belgian Beer friends we reached 300 Belgian Beers! Now this could not have been done without your encouragement and help. So a big THANK YOU to all.

Stay tuned for the last post this year, answering a readers question.

Belgian Beer no.299: Gouden Carolus Noel

Now this fellow Belgian Beer lovers, is an amazing beer! Last year we gave it away as a Christmas present, this year I got around to try it out. Delicious. Brewed by Het Anker.

Needless to say it is strong (10,5%) which caused a little wobble when I got up. It's dark, and rich, and ruby red, and smooth, and hints of Christmas spice - all you expect from a Christmas beer and more. Pity I can only about drink 1!

And just to make the whole Gouden Carolus Noel experience perfect it was also on tap at Chez Moeder Lambic.

Just because ...

Belgian Beer no.298: Saison de Mai

Here is a beer I really enjoyed. The Saison de Mai brewed by Brasserie Saint Monon. A light beer with some hints of spice, floral notes, overall very ... springy. Orange, vanilla, hops, it's all very confusing. But very pleasant at 8.3%.

Belgian Beer no.297: Adelardus

Brewed by the Brasserie Kerkom (same brewery as for no.92), the Adelardus Dubbel. A fairly spicy and sweet brown beer, some herbs - an interesting but not long lasting taste. 7%.

Belgian Beer no.296: Delirium Nocturnum

Ok, first of all don't you just love the bottle/design? I think it looks pretty cool.

Now on to the beer. Brewed by Brasserie Huyghe the Delirium Nocturnum is a strong, dark ale at 8.5%. It's all a little fruity, a little nutty, a little malty, a lot of things going on in this beer. Very smooth and very rich, but then again it had to be at that strength.

Great beer but not one to drink too many of.

Belgian Beer no.295: Kriek Foudroyante

The Kriek Foudroyante. Another beer from Brasserie Lindemans, but despite being brewed in Belgium it is meant for export to France.

Cherry, sweet, the like. 4%.

Belgian Beer no.294: Livinus

A very interesting beer. The label definitely got our attention. A blond high fermentation beer, yeasty beer? Brewed by Brassrie Van Den Bossche.
We tried it at home. Very easy to drink at 5.2%.

Belgian Beer no.293: Belgoo Magus

A fairly new beer (2007) on the market but I love it. Really, if you get the chance try it. It is one of those beers that is very easy to drink and simply - good!
I order it now every time I see it on the menu.
Brewed by Brasserie Belgoo, Belgoo Magus is white 4 grains beer. Really creamy, hoppy, and at 6.6% my next 'standard' drinkable very good beer. Have you tried it?
Plus I really like the modern design of the logo.
Note: In case you are 'desperate' for more Belgian Beers, I tend to be quicker uploading the photos than writing text. All on Flickr.

Belgian Beer no.35: Gouden Carolus - revisited.

Revisting Belgian Beer no.35.

Belgian Beer no.292: Lindemans Cassis

Yep, that's the second one for the non-beer drinkers.
The Lindemans Cassis (black currants) is really a Belgian classic fruit beer. Again fresh, fruity, rich aromas a sort of a juice beer. 3.5%.

Oh on a side note - it is December first, we'll probably start tasting Christmas beers soon and did you notice? Only 8 to go for the big 3-0-0.