Spec me a Belgian Beer

Chris C

Chris C

Chris C

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Joined
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Location
Wiltshire
This is a random way to trigger a beer recommendation request, but I was doing the shopping and stopped by the deli counter to pick up some ham. Spotted some belgian beer ham, gave it a go and it was amazing, loved the beer taste.

So what Belgian beer should I try? Any to avoid? Any really good ones to start with?
 
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My personal favourite is Chimay Bleu. Another is Gulden Draak 9000. Also Kwak!

Your best bet is to get a mixed case from Beers of Europe or similar and explore them all. They can vary quite a bit and it will be down to your taste.
 
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Brun said:
Stella.
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Don’t knock it! Straight from source in Leuven in 25cl measures it’s brilliant!

Gouden Carolus is a favourite.

Westvleteren was quite special. I had their 5.8% blond which was delicious. The 12% is often regarded as the best beer in the world. Next time…

Otherwise Orval and Chimay are good.
 
I've tried so many that have been bought in France & Belgium over the years that I really could not point to just one as my favourite, but that said I usually have one of the many types of Leffe or Chimay in my basket.

You will pay a little more from the link below, but they have a really good selection, with many having reviews.

www.thebelgianbeercompany.com

Belgian Beers - The Belgian Beer Company

Explore the very best range of Belgian beers available online here at The Belgian Beer Company with free delivery on orders over £75.
www.thebelgianbeercompany.com www.thebelgianbeercompany.com
 
Orval is a solid reliable beer as is Duchesse de Bourgogne
en.wikipedia.org

Duchesse de Bourgogne - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
but as Belgium is a country of beer with many styles, your are only scratching the surface. You need to try a Lambic and Gueze (try one from Cantillon or Frank Boon). Also try a Speciale Belge…
 
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Scuzi said:
My personal favourite is Chimay Bleu. Another is Gulden Draak 9000. Also Kwak!

Your best bet is to get a mixed case from Beers of Europe or similar and explore them all. They can vary quite a bit and it will be down to your taste.
Click to expand...

spile said:
but as Belgium is a country of beer with many styles, your are only scratching the surface. You need to try a Lambic and Gueze (try one from Cantillon or Frank Boon). Also try a Speciale Belge…
Click to expand...

As above, there's many different styles and so a mixed case to identify what you want is a great idea. Lild sometimes do a great mix pack in the middle section around Christmas which is a bargain. Be warned though that Belgian beers can possibly quickly ramp up to high strengths (Tripels/Quadruples)


Out of curisoity do you explore beers in general? With craft beer now, there's a huge amount of cross-over between beer styles/countries so you might equally find something you like in a "Belgian style" but from a british brewery.
 
Last time I was in France we ended up in Bruge for the day and going to the beer museum and tasting after.

Lots and lots of examples - Gulden Draak I had was something 10%. One that you should track down is Straffe Hendrik for example this darker and 11%: https://www.thebelgianbeercompany.com/p/belgian-beers/straffe-hendrik-quadrupel/

Most beers in Belgium are also for accompanying something to eat so that 11% one was great with BBQ. Rocket fuel but worked well.
 
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The last few times I’ve been to Belgium, I’ve definitely bought back a boot full. Even the big Care-fours have a huge selection of small run craft stuff. I tend to buy a few of everything when I am there. Don’t buy from the breweries if you can help it, it’s a lot cheaper in the supermarket if they stock it.

The Bruges based breweries are good and widely available:
Bourgogne de Flanders
Zot
Straffe Hendrik (go up to 11/12%)
Blonden OS (this is my favourite)

If you like something fruity, check out Linderman’s (the Pecheresse is lush) and Timmermans.

If you can find it Gruut is excellent, it’s flavoured with spices rather than hops, brewed in Ghent.

I can’t find my favourite online, I’ll have to post it later when I find a couple I’ve been saving on the beer shelf.
 
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Scuzi said:
My personal favourite is Chimay Bleu. Another is Gulden Draak 9000. Also Kwak!

Your best bet is to get a mixed case from Beers of Europe or similar and explore them all. They can vary quite a bit and it will be down to your taste.
Click to expand...

I'll get a mixed case ordered and start exploring them, ty.

spile said:
Orval is a solid reliable beer as is Duchesse de Bourgogne
en.wikipedia.org

Duchesse de Bourgogne - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
but as Belgium is a country of beer with many styles, your are only scratching the surface. You need to try a Lambic and Gueze (try one from Cantillon or Frank Boon). Also try a Speciale Belge…
Click to expand...

I'll make sure to try those thanks.

Martynt74 said:
As above, there's many different styles and so a mixed case to identify what you want is a great idea. Lild sometimes do a great mix pack in the middle section around Christmas which is a bargain. Be warned though that Belgian beers can possibly quickly ramp up to high strengths (Tripels/Quadruples)


Out of curisoity do you explore beers in general? With craft beer now, there's a huge amount of cross-over between beer styles/countries so you might equally find something you like in a "Belgian style" but from a british brewery.
Click to expand...

Not really, I'm not much of a drinker in general and mainly have some wine on the weekend. I might not end up liking them much, but you never know until you try. I'll get myself a mixed case online and keep an eye the middle aisle in Lidl next time I'm raiding the bakery. Have a feeling I'll come home with beers, a new aluminium ladder and some garden shears though :cry:
 
If you ever find yourself in Brussels, take a wander to the Delirium Cafe just off Rue de Bouchers. Over 2000 beers available. The best and worst thing about Belgian beers is their strength. Great if you want a short and punchy drink. Terrible if you want to work your way through a load to try them out. Most places offer a flight of tasters though.
 
Chris C said:
Not really, I'm not much of a drinker in general and mainly have some wine on the weekend. I might not end up liking them much, but you never know until you try. I'll get myself a mixed case online and keep an eye the middle aisle in Lidl next time I'm raiding the bakery. Have a feeling I'll come home with beers, a new aluminium ladder and some garden shears though :cry:
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If you're not much of a drinker then i'd try and stick to blonde ales and maybe a dubbel to start with.

It might be worth just grabbing a Duval/Delirium/La Chouffe in Tesco, possibly even a Leffe too. Likely to be in the 3 for a fiver range and would give you a decent idea if you want to explore further :)
 
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Martynt74 said:
If you're not much of a drinker then i'd try and stick to blonde ales and maybe a dubbel to start with.

It might be worth just grabbing a Duval/Delirium/La Chouffe in Tesco, possibly even a Leffe too. Likely to be in the 3 for a fiver range and would give you a decent idea if you want to explore further :)
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Good shout, thanks. I didn't realise how strong they were. I'm a bit of a Larry lightweight so I'll try and ease myself into it
 
Martynt74 said:
If you're not much of a drinker then i'd try and stick to blonde ales and maybe a dubbel to start with.

It might be worth just grabbing a Duval/Delirium/La Chouffe in Tesco, possibly even a Leffe too. Likely to be in the 3 for a fiver range and would give you a decent idea if you want to explore further :)
Click to expand...
So I headed to the supermarket yesterday and picked up the ones you suggested for starters. I will try my first one tonight!

Thanks for the other recommendations everyone, I'll broaden my Belgian horizons once I've tried these ones.
 
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