BertusBrew

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I have yet to have a Belgian that I really enjoyed. It seems like everybody on here and most of my beer drinking friends rave about Belgian ales. I know everybody has their own personal tastes and opinions, but it seems like I am totally in the minority among real beer drinkers with my opinion of Belgians.

Walker

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You are not alone.

I can count the number of belgian beers I have tried and liked on one hand, and I don't even need most of my fingers.

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Ground Fault Brewing Co.

Nateo

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"Belgian beers" is such a huge and diverse category. That's like saying "What's the deal with American beers?" If you haven't had any you liked, you haven't tried enough of them.

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To paraphrase Dr. England - "Off-flavors smooth with time. So do mountains. Brew it right from the start!"

My blogsite: http://nateobrew.blogspot.com/

gomb

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Its kinda the same thing as all the ipa hype. I absolutely hate ipas, but alot of people like them so I chalk it up to alot of people have different tastes. That and there are many different flavors of Belgian beers, allowing for a broader fan base.

BertusBrew

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I don't claim to know all that much about Belgian beers, but people keep talking about Dubbels, Tripels, Belgian Golden Strong Ales, and others. I have tried a bunch of them and just don't like them.

TheMan

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I completely agree with this. Great way to put it. I am sure if you found your niche in each category you would find some you like. I'm not a huge fan of Belgians, but I do know there are some fantastic ones out there.

chapa

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I generally don't enjoy that "belgian twang" that a lot of the ones I've tried seem to have, but I have had a few decent ones. I tried a Tripel IPA a few weeks ago that was incredible. For those that like them, what are some commercial ones commonly available that you would suggest, for people like me and the OP?

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Fermenting/Conditioning: Casc/Cent APA, Hoppy Birthday Amarillo/Simcoe IPA(6g American/5g Belgian), Chappist Belgian Dubbel
Bottled/Kegged: Red Rye IPA, Wesside Trip(Westmalle Tripel clone), ESB, Lil Trap (4% Trappist Starter Batch), Robust (Pumpkin) Porter, 3% Little Hopper, "Slick Rick" Old Engine Oil Clone(oaked w/ vanilla and balvenie scotch), Imperial RyePA,
On Deck: Quad, Belgian IPA, Orfy's Mild, Scotch Ale

BertusBrew

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I am sure there are some out there that I would like, because I obviously have not tried them all, but what I really am wondering is why it seems people put these beers up on a pedestal.

Walker

Recipes 

I've tried quite a wide range of Belgian beers.

I do not like the flavors of brett, lacto, or wild yeast for sure.

And I've yet to have a Trappist/Abbey ale or a Wit or a Golden Ale or a Saison that I liked.

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Ground Fault Brewing Co.

electrichead

Recipes 

As you said, personal taste is what its all about. People develop tastes for certain styles and those tastes will tend to change and evolve.

For instance, my SWMBO was a huge fan of Belgians and hated overly hoppy beer styles. However in this past year, she has moved away from her beloved Belgians and is gravitating to IPAs. In fact, the other day she had her first pint of my recently brewed Tripel. After a few sips she looked at me and said "I think it's missing something". I replied "Hops?". A look of surprise came across her face and she replied back "Oh my god, I'm a hop head".

She wants me to brew a Stone Ruination IPA clone for my next batch.

What Belgians have you tasted?

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My Keezer Build – Black Sunshine