What am I tasting in Belgian beers?

tekhna · 03-11-2009, 10:17 PM

In most Belgian beers there's a fruity pruney taste that I really don't like-Is it coming from the yeast? I sort of assumed it is, but could it be coming from the malts?

Thanks

**Denny's Evil Concoctions** · 03-11-2009, 10:21 PM

Mostly from the yeast and sugar. That's to style.

**Brewmasters Warehouse** · 03-11-2009, 10:28 PM

Like Denny has said, there are a lot of sugars in Belgian beers, and the Belgian yeast strains naturally produce fruity esters.

**cuinrearview** · 03-11-2009, 10:31 PM

Everyone calls it something different. It's like fruity eggs to me if that makes sense. SWMBO just calls it rotten. I'm drinking wit right now and it's definately there.

**DeathBrewer** · 03-11-2009, 10:31 PM

Depends on the beer. Special B can give a dark fruit flavor in belgian dubbels and specialty ales.

But, yes, usually most of the "fruitiness" come from that wonderful belgian yeast.

**Denny's Evil Concoctions** · 03-11-2009, 10:41 PM

Pruny and rummy tasting.. MMmmmm

Disclaimer: No "rummies" were harmed during tasting

**DeathBrewer** · 03-11-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuinrearview

Everyone calls it something different. It's like fruity eggs to me if that makes sense. SWMBO just calls it rotten. I'm drinking wit right now and it's definately there.

wheat, spices and belgian yeast will certainly create some different flavors

secinarot · 03-11-2009, 11:17 PM

As much as I try to get into the Belgian beers I can't get paste this flavor profile that they all share. I know many people go crazy for Belgians but alas I have finally come to the conclusion that I just don't like them

There are some that I do like such as Chimay Premier, but most as soon as I get that taste I'm turned off. To me it's the yeast because even American beers that are not true Belgian styles, if they use the Belgian yeasts I'm not likin' it!

Oh well I guess I'll just have to stick with the American, British and German styles

tekhna · 03-12-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secinarot

As much as I try to get into the Belgian beers I can't get paste this flavor profile that they all share. I know many people go crazy for Belgians but alas I have finally come to the conclusion that I just don't like them

There are some that I do like such as Chimay Premier, but most as soon as I get that taste I'm turned off. To me it's the yeast because even American beers that are not true Belgian styles, if they use the Belgian yeasts I'm not likin' it!

Oh well I guess I'll just have to stick with the American, British and German styles

I think I'm on the same page as you. Nasty.

**cuinrearview** · 03-12-2009, 01:22 AM

Personally I'm not a fan of most stouts

, so I don't make them. That's the cool part of the hobby. We can all make what we like and all agree that simply making beer is what binds us. There are a few around this board that think that truly exceptional beer can only be made with the all-grain process. That may be true, but I like what I make and I don't brew all-grain and I don't brew stouts at the moment and am perfectly happy with that. If you don't like the Belgians you're probably not alone. The three Belgian beers that I've brewed (blond, tripel, wit) all share a similar yeast character. I like it, but that's me.