Belgium Beer is awesome

cruasder777

Went to a Belgium bar recently in London, its in Waterloo, with a Belgium girl who introduced me to the delights of Belgium craft beer. Seriously impressed.



Extra Blonde(10%), Flemish red(7%), Rochford 10 (11% !!!), Orval amber (7%),and many others.

Serious stuff, some of it was £8 a pint, bottles £6 but worth it, as its so rare to find, I tried 4 and was seriously rocking !

Made me realise English and Irish craft beers are very nice but pretty lightweight.

Most Belguim beer was originally brewed by Trappist monks, they must have been out of their heads all day.

I certainly recommend Belguim craft beers.

http://www.beerhawk.co.uk/discovery-belgian-premium

oblivious

cruasder777 wrote: »

Went to a Belgium bar recently in London, its in Waterloo, with a Belgium girl who introduced me to the delights of Belgium craft beer. Seriously impressed.

Extra Blonde(10%), Flemish red(7%), Rochford 10 (11% !!!), Orval amber (7%),and many others.

The Drink store in stonybatter usually has most if on all of the above any they deliver too http://www.drinkstore.ie

cruasder777 wrote: »

Made me realise English and Irish craft beers are very nice but pretty lightweight.

mmmh have you tried White Hag Black Boar, 8 degrees dubble or O'Hara's Leann Folláin are just a few the comes to mind, certainly not light weight beers

cruasder777 wrote: »

Most Belguim beer was originally brewed by Trappist monks, they must have been out of their heads all day.

That's just good marketing :P, the modern trappist beer are product of the 1900- 1920 though competes to improve the quality of Belgian beer. Plenty of secular brewing, but which tended to very local, much weaker and poor quality till the beginning of the 20th century

n97 mini

What was the name of the bar? I'll be in London in March, wouldn't mind having a look.

a_non_a_mouse

Yeah, its only in the last couple of months I've tried Belgian beers, but most of what I've sampled I've been blown away with.

Some of my fav's
St Bernardus stuff is just stunning. (I've had Wit, 6, 8, Abt 12 and Christmas)
Duvel at 8.5% is dangerously nice and can be picked up at less than €3 a bottle
Trappistes Rochefort 8
Westmalle Dubbel and Triple
Urthel Hop-It 9.50%
Pauwel Kwak 8.4%
Gouden Carolus Christmas 10%

I've only dipped the toe in the water yet...but what I've had encourages me to keep trying

dan1895

a_non_a_mouse wrote: »

Yeah, its only in the last couple of months I've tried Belgian beers, but most of what I've sampled I've been blown away with.

Some of my fav's
St Bernardus stuff is just stunning. (I've had Wit, 6, 8, Abt 12 and Christmas)
Duvel at 8.5% is dangerously nice and can be picked up at less than €3 a bottle
Trappistes Rochefort 8
Westmalle Dubbel and Triple
Urthel Hop-It 9.50%
Pauwel Kwak 8.4%
Gouden Carolus Christmas 10%

I've only dipped the toe in the water yet...but what I've had encourages me to keep trying

My new year's resolution is to try more Belgian beers.

jsa112

Check out liefmans goudenband, triple karmeliet, gulden draak, saison dupont, urthel saison, and there's some geuze floating around dublin

RasTa

ze Germans would disagree. What I had in Bruges, which was a lot I wasn't that impressed.

the beer revolu

RasTa wrote: »

ze Germans would disagree. What I had in Bruges, which was a lot I wasn't that impressed.

Apples and oranges.

Stylewise, German and Belgian beers are generally so far apart, you couldn't really compare them.

It was Belgian beer that really opened my eyes to what beer could be.
As a much younger man, German beer opened my eyes to the fact that not all lager is sh1te, but that was all.

drumswan

German beer is boring. There I said it.

GLaDOS

Was in Brussels last summer and I was in heaven, so much quality beer everywhere.

the beer revolu

drumswan wrote: »

German beer is boring. There I said it.

Schneider Tap X Aventinus Mein Barrique is far from boring.
(but I do know what you mean)

Big Nasty

the beer revolu wrote: »

Apples and oranges.

Stylewise, German and Belgian beers are generally so far apart, you couldn't really compare them.

It was Belgian beer that really opened my eyes to what beer could be.
As a much younger man, German beer opened my eyes to the fact that not all lager is sh1te, but that was all.

+1 on this.

Personally I find German beer a bit watery. When drinking pils I'd rather something Czech.

drumswan

the beer revolu wrote: »

Schneider Tap X Aventinus Mein Barrique is far from boring.

For every Schneider Tap X Aventinus Mein Barrique theres 500 boring lagers.

BeerNut

drumswan wrote: »

For every Schneider Tap X Aventinus Mein Barrique theres 500 boring lagers.

That's true of everywhere, including Belgium. Belgium's biggest selling beer is Jupiler, remember.

drumswan

BeerNut wrote: »

That's true of everywhere, including Belgium. Belgium's biggest selling beer is Jupiler, remember.

Ah yeah. I just have this perception of German beer as boring. I walk past the German beer section in Redmonds every time.

BeerNut

drumswan wrote: »

I just have this perception of German beer as boring. I walk past the German beer section in Redmonds every time.

A bit like the people who think "American beer" is all Bud and Coors

drumswan

BeerNut wrote: »

A bit like the people who think "American beer" is all Bud and Coors

Possibly. but I definitely think German beer has a bit of an image problem these days (not ruling out the possibility that its only in my head). I tend to look at local beer, US Beer, UK Beer and Belgian beer when I peruse the shelf of my local off licence.

BeerNut

Yeah but if your opinion on an entire nation's brewing is formed based on what's available in a different country you're only seeing a tiny part of the picture. It's not German brewing's fault if your local off licence has no decent German beer.

drumswan

BeerNut wrote: »

Yeah but if your opinion on an entire nation's brewing is formed based on what's available in a different country you're only seeing a tiny part of the picture. It's not German brewing's fault if your local off licence has no decent German beer.

I guess. Im just saying when I walk into drinkstore the lads dont say 'here wait till you see this new beer we got from Germany'. It doesnt have the same buzz about it that other beer producing nations do these days.

BeerNut

It kinda does, IMO. It's just that the likes of Grand Cru, Four Corners and Premier aren't scouring the place for the good stuff the way they do with Belgium, the UK and the US.

drumswan

BeerNut wrote: »

It kinda does, IMO. It's just that the likes of Grand Cru, Four Corners and Premier aren't scouring the place for the good stuff the way they do with Belgium, the UK and the US.

Fair enough, but that is kinda what I am saying.

drumswan

Great article from Pete Brown on beer becoming unfashionable, food for thought.

http://petebrown.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/whats-difference-between-craft-beer.html

oblivious

drumswan wrote: »

Great article from Pete Brown on beer becoming unfashionable, food for thought.

http://petebrown.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/whats-difference-between-craft-beer.html

Its the nasty ended of those that assoicate Hispster with craft beer

RasTa

I personally think the yanks make the best beer. Hitting Barca on Thursday, anything to look out for?

drumswan

RasTa wrote: »

I personally think the yanks make the best beer. Hitting Barca on Thursday, anything to look out for?

Yank beer you cant buy here :P

the beer revolu

RasTa wrote: »

r. Hitting Barca on Thursday, anything to look out for?

Yes. The scangers they allow into La Cerveteca to beg who will rob your phone.
They have a pretty stunning selection - lots of Lambics but they are quite expensive.
Also, they were really unhelpful and disinterested when my wife's phone was robbed. Not sure I'd darken their door again.

cruasder777

n97 mini wrote: »

What was the name of the bar? I'll be in London in March, wouldn't mind having a look.

There you go.

http://www.auberge-restaurant.co.uk/waterloo/


The ground floor bar recalls a Belgian beer hall with dark wood furniture and twisted iron fixtures. At the back of the bar an area for 50 diners or a larger drinking party, is neatly tucked away

drumswan

Theres a few of these Belgos about, like a TGI Fridays with Chimay and Moules

http://www.belgo-restaurants.co.uk/

BeerNut

Used to be one in Dublin too. Moules frites and a Brugse Wit for £5 at lunch. Happy days.

the explorer

a_non_a_mouse wrote: »

Yeah, its only in the last couple of months I've tried Belgian beers, but most of what I've sampled I've been blown away with.

Some of my fav's
St Bernardus stuff is just stunning. (I've had Wit, 6, 8, Abt 12 and Christmas)
Duvel at 8.5% is dangerously nice and can be picked up at less than €3 a bottle
Trappistes Rochefort 8
Westmalle Dubbel and Triple
Urthel Hop-It 9.50%
Pauwel Kwak 8.4%
Gouden Carolus Christmas 10%

I've only dipped the toe in the water yet...but what I've had encourages me to keep trying

Can you get Duvel for under €3 in Dublin anywhere? Its currently €3.29 in O'Briens.

Beano

if you are ever thinking of heading to belgium to drink loads of their lovely beer (and you really should) give brussels a miss and head to Bruges. its a nicer looking town and prices are a lot lower than brussels. Beer was generally a euro a bottle cheaper than in brussels. plus you get to try the local bruge beers. Straffe Hendrick quadrupel is just awesome. http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/268/63185/

penev10

I love Belgian beer. St Bernardus Abt 12 is probably my favourite. Triple Karmeliet, Rochefort 8, Duvel, Leffe Royal, Delerium Tremens and Affligem are all great too.

lk67

Beano wrote: »

if you are ever thinking of heading to belgium to drink loads of their lovely beer (and you really should) give brussels a miss and head to Bruges. its a nicer looking town and prices are a lot lower than brussels. Beer was generally a euro a bottle cheaper than in brussels. plus you get to try the local bruge beers.

You would be missing out if you didn't spend some time in Brussels imo. A visit to both Moeder Lambics is worth staying for one night alone especially the original one, not to mention Cantillion brewery - and some great galleries and museums.

Also, I much prefer Ghent or Antwerp to Bruges. (Although it does have one or two great bars. De Garre is a superb hidden gem.)

Ghent was a revelation for me last year. Great balance of bars, beer, history and scenery.

Ronan|Raven

lk67 wrote: »

You would be missing out if you didn't spend some time in Brussels imo. A visit to both Moeder Lambics is worth staying for one night alone especially the original one, not to mention Cantillion brewery - and some great galleries and museums.

Also, I much prefer Ghent or Antwerp to Bruges. (Although it does have one or two great bars. De Garre is a superb hidden gem.)

Ghent was a revelation for me last year. Great balance of bars, beer, history and scenery.

De Garre is fantiastic .. but I confess to not being a huge Belgian beer fan *runs off to safety*

BaZmO*

Ronan|Raven wrote: »

De Garre is fantiastic .. but I confess to not being a huge Belgian beer fan *runs off to safety*

I'd be the same. There are plenty of Belgian beers that I like, but I don't think Belgian beers would ever be my "go to" beers.

lk67

BaZmO* wrote: »

I'd be the same. There are plenty of Belgian beers that I like, but I don't think Belgian beers would ever be my "go to" beers.

I rarely drink them at home but try to get over there once a year. But then again it's different when you're drinking them in situ maybe? Concentrated on sours and Saisons this year.

Beano

lk67 wrote: »

You would be missing out if you didn't spend some time in Brussels imo. A visit to both Moeder Lambics is worth staying for one night alone especially the original one, not to mention Cantillion brewery - and some great galleries and museums.

Also, I much prefer Ghent or Antwerp to Bruges. (Although it does have one or two great bars. De Garre is a superb hidden gem.)

Ghent was a revelation for me last year. Great balance of bars, beer, history and scenery.

havent been to Ghent or Antwerp yet. i'll add them to the list. I've actually spent more time in brussels than i have in bruge. I much preferred bruge.

lk67

Beano wrote: »

havent been to Ghent or Antwerp yet. i'll add them to the list. I've actually spent more time in brussels than i have in bruge. I much preferred bruge.

That's what makes the world work, everyone has a preference!

I'd edge Ghent over Antwerp. Look up De Planck bar if you get there. Better value, service and atmosphere than those in the centre, which are great btw.

Beano

lk67 wrote: »

That's what makes the world work, everyone has a preference!

I'd edge Ghent over Antwerp. Look up De Planck bar if you get there. Better value, service and atmosphere than those in the centre, which are great btw.

well i think we can both agree that belgian beer is indeed awsome even if we cant agree on which city in belgium is best to drink it in.

lk67

Beano wrote: »

well i think we can both agree that belgian beer is indeed awsome even if we cant agree on which city in belgium is best to drink it in.

Agreed. It's the variety of beer (and the country itself) that's important too. Many people associate Belgian beer with Duvel, Leffe and a smattering of Trappist beers. They are missing out...

St. Lupulin

It doesn't deserve to be part of the beer family.

The crap coming out of of this horrible country is stalling the beer revolution.

The alcohol police need to give it its own genre.

Belgian fanboys shytting on German beers... getdafuggouttahere

Louche Lad

n97 mini wrote: »

What was the name of the bar? I'll be in London in March, wouldn't mind having a look.

Might be the Auberge by Waterloo Station? Some years since I went there but was very good.

Chloris

My top five favourite beers are almost all Belgian. My number one liquid in the world award has to go to Straffe Hendrick, an 11% Belgian quad (there's a 9% too but the higher percent one is sweeter and richer). Give it a go if you ever see it on sale. The Hub in Cork is the only bar I've ever seen it in (phenomenal selection of craft beers).

lk67

St. Lupulin wrote: »

It doesn't deserve to be part of the beer family.

The crap coming out of of this horrible country is stalling the beer revolution.

The alcohol police need to give it its own genre.

Belgian fanboys shytting on German beers... getdafuggouttahere

Jaysus.

Who pyssed in your Spaten?

Mesrine65

St. Lupulin wrote: »

It doesn't deserve to be part of the beer family.

The crap coming out of of this horrible country is stalling the beer revolution.

The alcohol police need to give it its own genre.

Belgian fanboys shytting on German beers... getdafuggouttahere

HERETIC :eek: