Belgian Beer no.249: Westmalle Extra

A series of beers reviewed by Michael follows for the next couple of days. This will give us the chance to try and drink some more for you.
Text and photo: Michael

Website/ blog:

You will not find this in any shop anywhere – apparently this beer is only for sale at the Westmalle Abbey itself. Having heard of its existence, I was keen to try it. Like the Westvleteren beers, the bottle comes without label – apparently the beer is intended only for the monks. I can only say that I was very disappointed with this beer. At 5%, I didn’t expect the same experience as a Westmalle Tripel, but certainly didn’t expect such a bland offering – perhaps I should have tried this one before the two fantastic Struise Brouwers beers. Personally, I could find little difference in this “special” beer to a Stella, with the exception perhaps of tiny hint of spice.

Belgian Beer no.248: Mikkeller

A series of beers reviewed by Michael follows for the next couple of days. This will give us the chance to try and drink some more for you.

Text and photo: Michael
Website/ blog:

The Kulminator Beer cellar is a mass with bottles. Amongst them, I spotted another bottle with the unmistakable De Struise Brouwers logo. It turns out that this beer is the joint effort ofDe Struise Brouwers and a Danish brewer Mikkeller. It pours a dark golden colour with creamy head, and smells immediately citrus. Taste is almost medicinal with caramel or honey, rather like a Locket.At 9%, again it is a strong beer, but like all De Struise Brouwers beers I have tried, the alcohol is very well disguised.

Belgian Beer no.247: Aardmonnik

Thank God for guest writers/ readers of Belgian-Beers.EU - otherwise I am not sure we'll ever get through all the Belgian beers. Problem with Belgium? They don't exactly stop inventing beers so we can go through all of them...

A series of beers reviewed by Michael follows for the next couple of days. This will give us the chance to try and drink some more for you.
Text and photo: Michael
Website/ blog:

Sampled this wonderful beer in Kulminator in Antwerp. Brewed by De Struise Brouwers, expectations were high following the Pannepot tried on previous visit. Not realising it was a Flemish Sour Ale, (and not being a particular lover of Sour Ales), I was pleasantly surprised by both the aroma and taste. It poured pretty much the sameas Pannepot, but with an almost cider like aroma. At 8%, the taste was, as the style suggests, sour, but also fruity and sweet, but smooth on the back of the throat. A brilliant beer if you can find it.

Villaggio della Birra - Italian Beer Festival

Villaggio della Birra. Ok, it's Italian. And it's in Tuscany (I wish!). But here's the deal: the festival is sort of a Brassigaume or a Zythos Italian style. And the breweries present, or at least some of them: Achilles, Boelens, Blaugies, Cazeau, Den Hopperd... and the Italians, Olmaia, Petrognola, Lambrate, Montegioco.

All you have to do is:

- be in Bibbiano-Buonconvento on the 6/7 September 2008;

- like beer;

- purchase your tokens, get a glass and visit the various stands;

- drink and meet the Master-Brewers;

- taste their products.

Personally, if I would be in the area I'll go. OR if I would plane a Tuscan holiday. Or really if I would have enough money for a round trip ticket Brussels/Siena. However none of the above apply. So if you do go, or happen to be an Italian reader (ciao!) and go - could you let us know? Take some photos, taste, write a review or two?

Grazie and Cheers!

Belgian Beer no.166, no.165, no.246: revisited + Augustijn Ale

And last ones up at the Zythos, besides the Piraat and the Gulden Draak Ale - a new one, the Augustijn Ale. An abbey style beer, second fermentation in the bottle, at 8% fairly strong. A soft beer if you know what I mean, but very tasty. Hoppy and malty, and rich. Am also curious about their Augustijn Grand Cru.

Belgian Beer no.245: Toria

And last but not least, their third beer, Toria. A blond beer, at 6.5% which was probably my favorite from the three tried out. Then again I am quite partial to blond beers.

Belgian Beer no.244: Koekelaring

Sticking with the same brewers as for no. 243 De Hoevebrouwers, the Koekelaring beer a 6.5% red/brown beer. Some malty touch to it, slightly sweet.

Belgian Beer no.243: Nen Uts

Nen Uts. A good 7% amber beer from De Hoevebrouwers. A nicely bitter beer. Good to discover a small brewer too.

Belgian Beer no.242: 't Smisje Fiori

You see what the 10% did to us? :)

The next beer from De Regenboog, the 't Smisje Fiori a 7% blond, high yeasty beer. A peachy, slightly sweet tasting beer.

Belgian Beer no.241: 't Smisje Catherine

Another beer, still at Zythos (I promise, we'll be done soon with the Zythos reporting!)

This is the 't Smisje Catherine, otherwise in translation Catherine the Great. The stout is brewed with 7 different malts, 4 hop varieties, and is a whopping 10%. I am not particularly a stout lover, but this was a good beer. The label? Well.

Brewed by De Regenboog Brewery, over at Astridlaan 134 B-8310 in Brugge.