Belgian-Style Table Beer

STEVENJAN · 06-08-2009, 04:40 AM

Does anyone have a recipe for Table Beer? Evidently it used to be served to school children at their school meals in Belgium. They discontinued serving the beer and now have soft drinks. They are having problems with obesity and some are thinking of going back to beer. Low alcohol around 1%.

**weirdboy** · 06-08-2009, 05:56 PM

I have no idea, and had never even heard of this until your post. But I would like to comment that this is yet another reason Belgium is awesome.

flyangler18 · 06-08-2009, 05:59 PM

The most recent issue of Zymurgy has a recipe for Tafelbier.

Schnitzengiggle · 06-08-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weirdboy

I have no idea, and had never even heard of this until your post. But I would like to comment that this is yet another reason Belgium is awesome.

If I'm not mistaken there used to be a great show on Mojo channel, (which unfortunately has gone off air), called Three Sheets hosted by Zane Lamprey, awesome show. Anyhow, I beleive he touched on the subject of table beer whilst in Belgium. FWIW you can find the show on HULU, maybe that will give you some more insight into Table Beer

**bikefoolery** · 06-09-2009, 03:07 AM

Make a belgian pale ale... Lower abv, some floral notes, biscuity, yum

TheChemist · 06-09-2009, 06:32 AM

As far as I'm aware, most table beers (aka small beers) were made from the last runnings of a stronger brew. Called parti-gyle brewing, the weaker beer was for everyday consumption because it was safer than the water ('cause it had been boiled). This is a fantastic idea IMO, and I'd love to hear what you end up trying for it!

The All-Grain Evangelist: A Beer Brewer's Blog: Medieval Brewing Techniques: Parti-Gyle Brewing

Kickass · 06-09-2009, 03:15 PM

I bet the kids are stoked about their pop brewing a batch of beer for them.

STEVENJAN · 06-09-2009, 04:53 PM

I really like the taste of beer but I don't like to get inebriated anymore. I do drink non-alcohol beers but it's not quite the same is it? With my homebrew I drink one glass (frozen mug) an evening and call it a night. I thought with a lower alcohol beverage I could enjoy more if I desired.
I just made an Apple juice/amber DME/honey mix with Nottingham yeast and I don't think it will be low alc. I hope it's drinkable.
I don't think if I just put in a small amount of DME in a large volume of water it would be tasty enough....rather thin I would think. If I put in other sugars it would just up, the ABV. Someone will have a recipe from somewhere. It's just a matter of time.

flyangler18 · 06-09-2009, 04:55 PM

Stevenjan,

Consider a Mild, as it has both low ABV and flavor in spades. The recipe in my pull-down is constantly on tap here at the house.

**viking999** · 06-09-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schnitzengiggle

If I'm not mistaken there used to be a great show on Mojo channel, (which unfortunately has gone off air), called Three Sheets hosted by Zane Lamprey, awesome show. Anyhow, I beleive he touched on the subject of table beer whilst in Belgium. FWIW you can find the show on HULU, maybe that will give you some more insight into Table Beer

I don't think Three Sheets ever touched on table beer. You may be thinking of the weaker fruit beers they tried. But it may please you to know that Three Sheets is coming back on the Fine Living Network sometime this summer.