I don't like belgian beer

[kunstler]

So, I'm not a belgian fan - I don't mind spices and fruits and other things that can give you a different flavor and I see them as widening the possibilities, but belgian yeast just gives beer a nasty taste in my book.


I have spent time in Antwerpen (antwerp in english) and I still found myself drinking dutch and german beer there - couldn't stomach the oh so specific "belgian" taste that I can never describe.

Is something wrong with me? I am really not a connosoir of fine beer unless I'm in love with Belgians?

 

[SevenFields]

Dont feel bad that you dont like something. Everyone has different tastes.
You should try St Bernardus Abt 12, then see what you think of Belgian beers.

 

[homeslice]

Is something wrong with me? I am really not a connosoir of fine beer unless I'm in love with Belgians?

..............Yes

 

[JesseRC]

yup something is wrong with you. What kind of Belgians specifically do you not like?

 

[Clonefarmer]

Is something wrong with me? I am really not a connosoir of fine beer unless I'm in love with Belgians?

Nothing wrong with having different tastes. I didn't like Belgians when I started drinking craft beers, but they grew on me after a while and are now one of my favorite categories.

 

[MeatyPortion]

Dont feel bad that you dont like something. Everyone has different tastes.
You should try St Bernardus Abt 12, then see what you think of Belgian beers.

What he said.

I'm guessing you might be trying Belgian beers of one or two specific types. While I love Rochefort and Orval, I'm not a huge Pavel Kwak fan. Very different beers.

 

[MikeG]

I don't like Brown Ales, so no worries.

 

[kunstler]

I have had your general commercial versions as well as homebrew and even before I hear the word "Belgian" I just have this taste that something is "not right" kinda off and "funky" and usually after I think that I hear "its a belgian"

I have NEVER liked BMC or even worse BMC Light. And I've only enjoyed thought out craft beer since I ever started drinking. But for the life of me, its been years now and I still get a funky taste - I can stomach some, others I can't. - it just tastes like the beer went bad. I guess thats the english and irish in my blood - nothing fancy just plain jane tastes

 

[UnaBonger]

For me, Belgians were an acquired taste... Don't give up on them fully, just be particular on what you try using the suggestions above. You will eventually like and appreciate them. Never be afraid to try a new beer, even if you don't like it at least you have a better understanding of that particular beer and its style... For me, things like Duvel & DT were the gateway Belgians... Stella & Jupiler are the BMC of Belgians, another good place to start.

 

[DirtyDenBrewing]

More for me

 

[user 15951]

i used to hate belgian beers for those exact reasons, but now i can't get enough of them. especially belgian dark strongs...... oh yummy. and flanders red!!!!

i'm thirsty.

 

[ChshreCat]

Absolutely nothing wrong with not liking Belgian beer. That just leaves more for me.

edit: man, people type fast.

 

[IrregularPulse]

I love the belgian yeast profiles. They are my favorite beers right now. Especially the Trappists. I've not got to try them all but have had Orval, Westmalle, Chimay (red blue and white), Rochefort (6,8,10), but have not seen Westvleteren, Achel or Koningshoeven anywhere.
I also LOVE Delirium Noel, not a fan really though of the Tremens

 

[JesseRC]

Well you still havnt told us what Belgian style/type of beers your talking about . You might be talkning about Belgina Witbiers for all we know.

 

[McKBrew]

Read up on the style. Read a few reviews of what you are drinking. Normally I like to drink a beer and then write what I perceive, but sometimes it is helpful to have people say they detect hints of cloves with sweet apple undertones...... You get the idea. And then see if you find the same things. When drinking the beer try to break it down into it's distinct flavors.

 

[Mike M]

Forgive me fellow brewers, for I too do not like Belgian beers. I’ve tried and tried and will try again, but at present I leave those ales for you.

 

[kunstler]

I did not like hoegaarden - didn't have that funky tinge, but didn't like it.

I had Palm at a beer festival first had a funky taste in the back side...first was like 'oh not too bad', and then had a funky aftertaste
I've had Maredsesous 8 I love dark beer and thought it would be a good gateway - yuck

I've tried a couple belgian blonde homebrews - again had the funky taste

and the worse of them all was Delirium Noel (sorry Irregularpulse) had that at a tasting and I almost threw up. I try, I just don't like. I guess I'm more of a "roasty" kind of guy. I think its the yeast profile that does it for me - that spoiled, sour, infected taste that I can't get over.

I can drink Sam Adams Blackberry Wit, the first sip I'm usually oh man I don't know why I don't drink it more often, and then I get a slight aftertaste that I usually could do without. I like fruit wheats but not wits if the taste is too strong, and there isn't much of a difference there.

 

[BarleyWater]

Flander Red and Oud Bruin FTW!!!!!! My favorite styles of beer, find some good examples of those and I'll bet you reconsider that not liking Belgian beers thing.

 

[kunstler]

Forgive me fellow brewers, for I too do not like Belgian beers. I’ve tried and tried and will try again, but at present I leave those ales for you.

Glad I'm not the only one, I do try, but I can't just enjoy. I go out looking for them thinking I'll find the one, but alas she's never there.

 

[IrregularPulse]

and the worse of them all was Delirium Noel (sorry Irregularpulse) had that at a tasting and I almost threw up. I try, I just don't like. I guess I'm more of a "roasty" kind of guy. I think its the yeast profile that does it for me - that spoiled, sour, infected taste that I can't get over.

No apologies needed here. People have different tastes. It's that funk that I like about the belgians. I just wish I had more access to try some more sours. What really opened me to more beers was trying to taste them for what they're suppose to be, not just what I tend to prefer. But, we drink for enjoyment, drink what you enjoy.

The sweaty Horse blanket description of some more funky beers probably gross's some out, but it intrigues me and makes me wish I could find them.

 

[Weezknight]

Belgians have been an acquired taste for myself, too. When I first starting drinking them I found the sweetness of the blondes very overwhelming, almost stomach turning.

Once I started experiencing different varieties, I found that I really enjoyed the complexities of some of them. They're not always my first choice, but they've definitely become a part of my regular drinking menu.

 

[noblesquirrel]

Forgive me for interjecting, but Belgian isn't a really a style, more a really big appellation. There are far too many breweries in Belgium doing very different things to limit it to the country. @OP, have you had Saison DuPont or Fantome Saison? How about true lambic (Girardin, Drie Fonteinen)? What about DeKoninck? All are entirely different and can help you determine what you do like. At any rate, it does just sound like the abbey yeast profile is what you can't stomach. c'est la vie.

 

[Homercidal]

I like some belgians, and very much dislike others. It's not the yeast for me, it's the sour. I like Wits and several other styles, but none of the tart or sour styles are drinkable. Actually, you got me craving a Belgian right now... A kind of funky flavor, slightly sweet, lightly hoppy...

 

[IrregularPulse]

I think nobel nailed it with the abbey style yeast. That's what I think of when I say Belgian. I say Sours for Sours and and wit's for wits.

 

[TexLaw]

So, don't like Belgians. There's nothing wrong with that. That's one of the reasons folks brew other stuff.

I don't like jarred mayonnaise, sweet tea, ballet, or NBA basketball.


TL

 

[IrregularPulse]

Don't like sweet tea??? Get out

 

[bjzelectric]

+1 to not liking the NBA. A bunch of overpaid yoyos if you ask me. Also, I think there is too much hype surrounding some of these Belgian beers. Especially when you have to pony up 5 or 6 bucks for an 11.2 oz bottle. Kinda gets old after a while IMO.

 

[Jim Karr]

What the heck is wrong with ballet? j/k

 

[McKBrew]

So, don't like Belgians. There's nothing wrong with that. That's one of the reasons folks brew other stuff.

I don't like jarred mayonnaise, sweet tea, ballet, or NBA basketball.


TL

Isn't that the official state drink of Texas? I'm amazed you haven't been booted from the state.

 

[redraider629]

Dont feel bad that you dont like something. Everyone has different tastes.
You should try St Bernardus Abt 12, then see what you think of Belgian beers.

+1 on the Abt 12, I am buying a bottle of that for Turkey Day. Great beer.