Belgian Beer no.26 - Brugge Tripel revisited

Micheal does it a lot more justice than I did way back when.

Text and photo: Michael

Website/ blog:

Seeing Andreea’s write up on Brugs Tarwebier reminded me that I had a Brugge Tripel on my ever decreasing shelf of beers from my last trip to Belgium.

I’m still a little confused if there is a difference between “Brugs” and “Brugge”, ( anyone ?) so for clarity, the bottle suggests the brewery is De Gouden Boom / N.V Palm.

This is one of my favourites. At 8.7%, and being a tripel, it is certainly a beer that you have to take your time over. It’s very malty and fruity, and from the first sip, you just know that it’s going to blow your head off if drunk hastily.

It’s difficult to identify the constituents of the “fruitiness”, but that’s what I really like about it – it’s very complex on the palette, and warm with it.

Belgian Beer no.158: Brugs Tarwebier

There is no mystery to this: we've been to Bruges. Which means that we had to try the local beers (of course!). Problem is some have already made it on to Belgian Beers. Not the Brugs Tarwebier.

We tried the Tarwebier. At 5% an ideal summer white beer. Although it wasn't too hot outside. But a nice beer. Maybe a little uneventful?

Editing after Boak's comment: problem is the photo shows the Brugs Tarwebier (a white beer) bottle with the Brugs Blond (a blonde beer) glass. A little confusing, I know. But two different beers. One is a blanche (a white), the other a blond, and a little stronger at 6.5 % . In conclusion we had the white beer.

Belgian Beer no.157: Moeder Overste

It was high time for some new beers. Strangely enough there was very little beer tasting lately. Then again there are not one, but two beer festivals coming up where we'll get more than our fair share of tastings.

Moeder Overste. The beer was on offer as the beer de jour. Tried it. A little too strong for my taste (8%) but a very nice beer. A triple style, which apparently needs to be served with a head. Same brewery as for Belgian Beer no.114, Saison 1900.

Session 6 and Belgian Beer no.156: Hoegaarden Rosée

'When God created man, it was just for laughs!' or maybe 'The difference between a man and E.T.? E.T. calls home.'

This and many other 'female' jokes accompany the newly launched publicity campaign for Hoegaarden Rosée, a newby on the market. Clearly, the beer was 1 - designed for the summer and 2 - aimed at women. So I went and got myself a six-pack (how girly does this sound, eh?)

A fruit beer (raspberry) combining the flavors of the traditional Hoegaarden White now with hints of fruit and summer. And my entry for Session 6 hosted by Beer, Beats & Bites: The Session!

Taste? Well it's a fruit beer. I had a very long love affairs with cherry beers and still like an occasional Kriek. But I kind of prefer the Blanche avec Citron (a Hoegaarden White with a slice of lemon) over their rosier version. Plus the Hoegaarden Rosee almost doesn't taste like beer (it's a 4.5%). It does look very pretty though. Very pink.

Belgian Beer no.155: Boerinneken

Here is an odd beer out: Boerinneken (the farmer's wife). I only took a photo of the bottle neck because there was no label on the bottle except the one you see. Very little information indeed.

Boerinneken is brewed by Den Ouden Advocaat, (but see comments for more precise information), which is more like a cooperative than a brewery (they also produce pralines, honey, etc). The Boerinneke is one in a pair of two: the Boerken (the farmer) and the above mentioned. The restaurant didn't have the male version though.

Boerinneken. A very strong blond beer, abbey type, at 9.5%. But a very interesting and pleasant taste. I really liked it, but it does go to your head. The beer is fermented in the bottle.

New url www.belgian-beers.eu

Belgian Beer no.154: Bersalis

The Brasserie Oud Beersel, started brewing in 2005 the Bersalis (which is the old Latin name for the town of Beersel).

Bersalis is a triple blond beer, 9.5%, and very much a traditional old style gueze. There is apparently a special glass as well, but the restaurant didn't have it.

There is a whole story behind the label, the woman on the label (hint: temptation, sin and pleasure) but you can read all this information on the Brasserie Oud Beersel website.

Belgian Beer no.153: Margriet

I mentioned before the occasional feeling of despair when it comes to the amount of Belgian beers. Well, all justified.

Just an example: Mechelen, was declared in 2005 a 'city run by women'. (For 3 months, not longer). So what does the city of Mechelen decide with the Brewery Het Anker? Let's brew a woman's beer (!) Margriet. A woman's beer!

Commercial, but a very nice blond beer at 6.5%. Really drinkable and pleasant. Worth a try, and it does seem to be quite popular.

New url www.belgian-beers.eu

Belgian Beer no.152: Helleketelbier

The following 4 beers were tried in Restobieres, a little restaurant specializing on Belgian food and Belgian beer. I will write on the restaurant and food on my food blog. Here the beers.

First one up (no. 152 in the total count) the Helleketelbier - in aprox. translation that means the light kettle beer. All allusion to the witches kettle where they would brew this beer. The beer, as the name suggests, is a special brew and at 7% ok - but a little too mix spiced for my taste. There was a little bit of everything: spices, coriander, oranges, pepper etc. Too complex :)

Brewed by the Brasserie de Bie.

New url www.belgian-beers.eu

Belgian Beer no.151: Folie

Another beer form the Brasserie en Vapeur, the Folie (Craziness?). Again a very strong beer, a blonde of 8%. Quite a spicy beer, with hints of cumin and oranges. Again a question of taste.

... and we're out of beers again. However I'll wait for a while till you 'digest' all the beers posted today.

Tagged with:Beer Belgian Beer Bier Biere Belgium

Belgian Beer no.150: Cochonnette

Staying in the region with two (very!) funny beers. First one Cochonette (Mrs. Piggy?). Brewed by the Brasserie a Vapeur.

Now as funny the label and the name are, the beer is not my style. Please note this is only a question of taste. The beer is an ale beer and at 9% was too strong for me. Beer is beer, wine is wine! This beer is very dark, very strong and very fruity. A strange mix which I am sure works for many.

Might be of interest that the Brasserie a Vapeur is publicly brewing every last Saturday of the month.

New url www.belgian-beers.eu

Tagged with:Beer Belgian Beer Bier Biere Belgium