Confession About Belgian Beers

[chocotaco]

Amendment: I previously recommended Stone Cali-Belgie, but I just had one and it is funkier than I remember. I think a better way to ease into Belgians is to have a couple of nice Belgian Saisons, and if you like those then you can give the funkier ones a try. I personally really like Valiant's Fields Ablaze and Saison DuPont is of course a classic in the style. Saisons focus on spice more than funk, so it might be a little kinder to the olfactory glands of someone who doesn't enjoy footy-beer, while giving a nice intro to the flavors that Belgian-style yeasts bring to the party.

Sorry to revive a month-old thread, but I avoided anything "French-y" for a long time because I didn't know how to ease into it from IPAs, and I would hate for anyone searching to miss out because they thought farmhouse funk was all there is to taste from Belgian yeasts.

P.S. Miserable Fat Belgian Bastards! I can't seem to leave that out of anything that mentions Belgians! For reference, here is the bit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19fcN3VaXs4#t=25s And in case anyone wants to be offended by the rest of it, here's another link for you http://dictionary.com/browse/satire

 

[krenshaw]

i didn't read all of the above, but i just wanted to chime in with Ommegang.. they are american with belgian style and influences, but they sure do make some tasty brews!

 

[DoctorMemory]

I put Belgians in the things-I-don't-like-for-no-discernable-reason category (along with Ford Mustangs and the Grateful Dead). I'd like to like them, but I just don't. Haven't given up yet, but I'm not encouraged by the ones I've tried so far.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

I think a better way to ease into Belgians is to have a couple of nice Belgian Saisons, and if you like those then you can give the funkier ones a try. <snip> Saisons focus on spice more than funk, so it might be a little kinder to the olfactory glands of someone who doesn't enjoy footy-beer, while giving a nice intro to the flavors that Belgian-style yeasts bring to the party.

I dunno. I don't think "sour/funk" when I think saison, but I've been burned on that a few times. Saison can carry Brett or sour, and that's a bit over the edge for many new Belgian drinkers...

 

[daksin]

Well, this thread is a little stale, but I would just say not to worry about it. It's impressive that you're willing to spend so much money and try so many beers to find one you like, but I don't think anyone should feel like they "should" like something. Like defies "should." A few of my non-beer drinking friends could take a lesson from you, though.

 

[Arrheinous]

After a few Belgian-only nights and some Belgian hybrids, I'm getting into the Belgian philosophy since I posted on this thread a while back.



Did a Belgian tripel as my second beer to be kegged.

 

[b-boy]

I put Belgians in the things-I-don't-like-for-no-discernable-reason category (along with Ford Mustangs and the Grateful Dead). I'd like to like them, but I just don't. Haven't given up yet, but I'm not encouraged by the ones I've tried so far.

I understand the Greatful Dead, but how can you not like a Ford Mustang? Just the new ones or all of them?

As far as Belgians I've decided on Chimay as my one-and-only go to Belgian. So far I've tried 3 types and I liked them all.

 

[KepowOb]

I donno if it's been mentioned here yet or not... it's not really a traditional belgian I guess... but we have a Belgian Beer House style restaurant nearby that carries something like 60 different Belgian beers... my favourite so far has been Kwak.

The glass is a lot of fun too

 

[ShackNasty]

PranQster is never a bad choice (previously stated)

New Belgium Abbey

Allagash White (previously stated)

If you like Sierra Nevada maybe give their Ovila series a try.

 

[passedpawn]

I understand the Greatful Dead, but how can you not like a Ford Mustang? Just the new ones or all of them?

As far as Belgians I've decided on Chimay as my one-and-only go to Belgian. So far I've tried 3 types and I liked them all.

So you didn't care for the ABT 12?

 

[organ]

Personally speaking, there's not a lot of middle ground when it comes to Belgians; I either love a beer or hate it.

 

[b-boy]

So you didn't care for the ABT 12?

Yes - I liked it. Just not as much as the chimay. It was definitely better than most of the others I tried. Actually, I still have a couple I picked up but haven't tried yet. I've Dropped the ball.

 

[Twerp129]

I think the best Belgian ales conflict with the 'mericun kitchen sink approach to brewing, in the sense Belgium as a style has more of a focus on balance of acid, sugars, phenols, where I would say 'merica is more "Toss it all in. We'll make this somabitch the craziest double triple imperial black IPA the world's ever seen."

Not to say there is anything wrong with either stylistic tangent. With the Belgian's focus on fermentation aromas, austere alcohol and acid, they pair beautifully with food. I think it's noble to try and discover different perspectives, I also think it's good to know what you like and why. Too many people are on the BA, ratings train with no comprehension of why "I" like a beer, only a number to guide them, being no less sheep than the "lite" lager lovers they brood about. So good on you for experimenting and sticking to your guns.

 

[b-boy]

I'll add Delerium Nocturnum to my list of Belgians that I really like.

I split a bottle of this with a friend and it went down pretty easy. Of course this was after 4-5 homebrews, so I might hae been a little more open to it than usual. I'll have to try it again pre-homebrews.

So far:

• Chimay (Blue)
• Delerium Nocturnum
• ABT 12

Looks I'm leaning toward the darker beers.

 

[sivispacemparabe11um]

I may have missed it but I didnt see Brother Thelonious mentioned. I love that beer.!!!!

 

[ivegot2legs]

I'll add Delerium Nocturnum to my list of Belgians that I really like.

I split a bottle of this with a friend and it went down pretty easy. Of course this was after 4-5 homebrews, so I might hae been a little more open to it than usual. I'll have to try it again pre-homebrews.

So far:

[*]Chimay (Blue)
[*]Delerium Nocturnum
[*]ABT 12


Looks I'm leaning toward the darker beers.

Somewhat based on this forum, I started trying Belgians again too. I also like the Chimay blue, and some other darker ones. I always though all the delerium stuff was way too over priced though.

 

[b-boy]

Somewhat based on this forum, I started trying Belgians again too. I also like the Chimay blue, and some other darker ones. I always though all the delerium stuff was way too over priced though.

None of it is cheap. I'm not sure when it happened, but at some point in time $10 for a single bottle of beer became reasonable to me. That's what I used to pay for a 12-pack. I blame Firestone Walker Double Jack. That was my first - 'holy crap this is expensive, but I must have it, beer'.

 

[drainbamage]

The cost is sort of a pain. I like Belgian styles (I think I started off on Ommegang dubbel), but I tend not to buy many except to have a couple 750 mL bottles on hand for special occasions, or if I see a good deal on something.