Favorite Belgian

[DoubleAught]

I've discovered the wonderful world of Belgians recently. I've always been a traditional German beer kind of guy (Hefes, Pils, Alt Bier, Rauchbier), but now that I've had a couple Belgians I'm hooked!

I brewed a Saison last summer and loved it. Recently I drank a Lambic and decided I had to brew one.

Currently I have a Lambic and a Strong Golden Ale in the ferm chamber.

What is your favorite type of Belgian? I ask just to get an idea on what to try next.

 

[JefeTheVol]

I have been a big fan of Westmalle as far as trappists and dubbels go. WLP 530 is a great yeast for me, as it's prime temp is usually the temperature of my house. I chill my wort to the 60's and let the yeast raise the temp to the 70's. I have had a lot of luck with that process.

 

[SoupNazi]

Imo- Hard to beat a trappist trippel.

 

[rexbanner]

I have been a big fan of Westmalle as far as trappists and dubbels go. WLP 530 is a great yeast for me, as it's prime temp is usually the temperature of my house. I chill my wort to the 60's and let the yeast raise the temp to the 70's. I have had a lot of luck with that process.

530 is my house yeast for that exact reason. It also floccs fast and is pretty much the highest-attenuating ale yeast. I actually wish my house was warmer, I've taken 530 to 84 degrees and it just gives out even more dark plum, it's great.

 

[Teromous]

I like Tripels and Belgian Strong Darks. I'll throw my hat in the ring for 3522.

 

[DoubleAught]

I like the history of beer. Correct me if I'm wrong, but traditionally Trappist beers were brewed, fully licensed, and managed by monks, and Abby beers are much like Trappist although not licensed or made by monks?

Such a cool history.

I'd once bought a bottle of liquor from a convent in Germany where the nuns had been making it for centuries. That kind of history I love.

 

[r2eng]

WLP545, formerly a Platinum strain. Simply Pilsner malt and hops...

Amazing tripels!

 

[Delirious187]

For me it was my first trip to Winter Park Colorado and Apres @ Cheeky Monks! I've been hooked on Belgians since. A must go to Belgian beer cafe if your ever in the area!

Top favorites:
Gulden Draak
Chimay
Avery White Rascle
Whittier White, Haverhill Brewery
Scotch Silly
My own Belgian brews

 

[sweetcell]

a good book to read is "brew like a monk". i learned a lot about trappist/abbey/belgian beer - like that "belgian" isn't so much a style as an attitude or an approach to brewing. and with that in mind, there are some excellent belgian-style beers brewed on this side of the atlantic. i'm in love with everything that Unibrou produces.

Westvleteren 12 is the holy grail of belgians. consistently rated best beer in the world. i have yet to try it, but someday...

 

[rockfish42]

St. Bernadus Abt 12 or Rochefort 8

 

[drkaeppel]

I enjoy all of them. Sort of depends on what I'm in the mood for, but a couple I've enjoyed recently is Maredsous 8 and Ommegang's Abbey Ale.

I attempted to make The Pious (Westvleteren 12 clone) and the FG ended up higher than anticipated, so it's too sweet for my taste. Going to give it another shot with a bigger starter next time.

 

[thetragichero]

been a looooong time since i drank belgians regularly, but at the time rochefort 8 was tops for me

 

[homebrewdad]

Not a type, a specific brew - Chimay Grande Reserve (aka blue label) is, for my money, the Holy Grail of beer. Insanely complex, flavorful, and packs a big alcohol punch... without any real alcohol flavor. Incredible stuff.

 

[slarkin712]

Rochefort 8 is awesome. For me it's the best belgian dark strong ale. I've got a great recipe for it if you're interested.

 

[wittmania]

For me it was my first trip to Winter Park Colorado and Apres @ Cheeky Monks! I've been hooked on Belgians since. A must go to Belgian beer cafe if your ever in the area!

Love that place. Was up there about a month ago.

 

[beerloaf]

I primarily brew more Belgians than any other variety of beers. I have a Rochefort 10 in secondary almost ready, and a Duvel clone in the fridge cold conditioning as we speak. I like the Saisons, the big Trappist beers, golden strongs, even the Wit's. You can really go crazy with Belgian beers due to the wide range of styles and flavors.

beerloaf

 

[shoreman]

Farmhouse Ale - cause there's no rules on that one

 

[LouBrew13]

I have an affinity for belgian brews. I don't know if it's the malty character or what. But dubbel, strong, and my favorite wit are all wonderful. Currently I have a belgian pale in primary and I'm excited about that as well. Cheers

 

[TomRep]

I love every and all Belgians. All depends on what mood I'm in for what my favorite would be. really been hitting sours and saisons lately since it's getting a little warmer out.
tom

 

[dukeredhair]

Farmhouse Ale - cause there's no rules on that one

+1 on this. I've tried everything from caramelized sweet potatoes to hibiscus flowers and it all works out great, you can ferment at high temps 80+ (depending on yeast wy3724) and it turns out great!

 

[beergolf]

I love my Belgians. Depends what I am in the mood for but I brew them often. Right now I have in fermenters a Saison, a Tripel and a BDSA.

Saisons, Tripels, Dubbels, BDSA, Wit.......I have a great selection of various Belgians with diferent amounts of age on them in my basement.

 

[Jaysus]

Patersbier!!!

 

[hogwash]

I pretty much like all of the 'styles' of belgians but definitely lean toward saisons & tripels in warmer temps and browns, dubbels, 12s,etc. in the colder months.

Our valentine's tradition is to have a multi-course belgian beer dinner. I hope to one year have all homebrews for the dinner. I used a hb saison this year to cook mussels and it was unreal. Anyway, i like me some belgians.

Brasserie Dupont can do no wrong, imo. Unibroue's La Fin du Monde is wonderful as are all of the La Chouffe beers I've had. One i had recently is Victory's Golden Monkey, delicious Tripel.

 

[DoubleAught]

Lots of great info. It would seem I have a lot of drinking to do

 

[DoubleAught]

a good book to read is "brew like a monk". i learned a lot about trappist/abbey/belgian beer - like that "belgian" isn't so much a style as an attitude or an approach to brewing. and with that in mind, there are some excellent belgian-style beers brewed on this side of the atlantic. i'm in love with everything that Unibrou produces.

Westvleteren 12 is the holy grail of belgians. consistently rated best beer in the world. i have yet to try it, but someday...

I'll have to check that out. Love reading beer books.

 

[Qhrumphf]

I love the Belgian beers. I'd give special mention to Dupont, Rochefort, Chimay, Cantillon, Ommegang, and Unibroue. Outside of Unibroue's Ephemere Apple (strong aroma but really bland flavor, somehow), I haven't had a single beer from any of those breweries I didn't absolutely love. But Rochefort 10, Saison Dupont, Cantillon's Iris, and Unibroue's La Fin Du Monde would probably be at the top.

Edit: Add Trois Pistoles to Unibroue's so-so beers. Wasn't bad, but wasn't really impressive. I flat out disliked the Ephemere though.