Belgian Beers

Blegian Beer no.273: Park

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:19:00 +0000

Moving on to another supermarket beer, this time Aldi. We tried their 'local' beer (?), the Park. An abbey style beer apparently brewed by Brasserie de Haacht. But somehow linked to Abdij van 't Park.

Nothing against it as such, but there are other beers I definitely prefer over Park.

Belgian Beer no.272: Angel

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:09:00 +0000

Meet Angel. A beer brewed by Brasserie Affligem for Delhaize (a supermarket chain in Belgium). Ehem. Not memorable as such, drinkable though. And strong 8.5%!

Belgian Beer no.270, 110, 271: Bon Secours x 3

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:07:00 +0000

Back on home territory, some beer tried during and after a bbq. The quality of the photos will speak for itself. No worries :)

One was reviewed already, the Bon Secours Ambre. To be complete, we also tried the Bon Secours Brune (to the left) and the Bon Secours Blonde (to the right). The Brune is a 7.5%, malty and caramelized beer. The Blonde is a 8%, slightly fruity beer.

Belgian Beer no.269: 3 Schteng

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 09:06:00 +0000

The second beer tried at the Brasserie Grain d'Orge was the 3 Schteng. First the name: much to our amazement, there is a place in Belgium where three countries meet in one place - Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. The Drielandenpunt. Thus 3 Schteng means the 3 stones, in the old dialect spoken in the region. Furthermore, if you are really into beer trivia, the 3 Schteng is brewed in memory of a fourth country that bordered the Drielandenpunt, the Neutraal-Moresnet which only existed till 1919.

Phew!

Now to the beer. A 6% dark beer, very pleasant, and surprisingly refreshing.

Belgian Beer no.268: Brice & Joup Blonde

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:03:00 +0000

While at the Brasserie Grain d'Orge we did get to taste two beers - the Brice & Joupe Blonde. A very clear and very pleasant blonde beer, perfect for the sunny day we had - 7%.

Another beer brewed by the Brasserie Grain d'Orge and reviewed here La Hervoise.

Brewery Visit: Grain d'Orge

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:20:00 +0000

It was a sunny day, and there are plenty more beers to drink once you get out of Brussels. Here a quick tour of the Brasserie Grain d'Orge. If we would have been more organized, then indeed a lot more could have been seen and tasted. Next time.

Belgian Beer no.267: Caracole

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:00:00 +0000

Moving on to one of our favorite bars in Brussels, the highly difficult to pronounce, let alone spell ... Poe-che-ne-lle-kel-der, drinking beers on their terrace. The Caracole. Brewed by the Brasserie Caracole, this beer is their 'flag' beer so to speak. A somewhat orangey beer, wheat, and spicy sweet aromas, the beer is a very pleasant beer - although fairly strong at 8%.

Previous beers reviewed from this brewery, the Troublette and the Forestine.

Belgian Beer no.62: Steendonk - Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:01:00 +0000

Just because we had a fun time trying to capture the moving Vedett coaster.

Steendonk.

No one said this would be a serious blog :)

Beer Bar in Brussels - Maison du Peuple

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:21:00 +0000

A great, and recently redone bar ... not far from the classic Bar de l'Union which I still have to write about. Here La Maison du Peuple. We really enjoyed the new brick look, the open space, the laid back atmosphere and of course the decent choice of beers. More of a Sunday after market beer bar, worth a stop though if around.

Belgian Beer no.266: Kastaar

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:00:00 +0000

While walking down town Brussels, we decided it was time to stop for a beer. This Kastaar, by Brasserie de Block, was tried just next to Jeu de Balle (the flea market). A nice afternoon beer, sort of amber/blond at 5.5% not too heavy. There were hints of spices, I'd say coriander.

Belgian Beer no.265: Bornem Dubbel

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:26:00 +0000

This time a beer review from a fellow Brussels beer blogger, Andrew, over at 40 Beers at 40. That's a good goal, no?

Text and photo: Andrew

Website/ blog: 40 Beers at 40

Here’s an abbey beer from the Van Steenberge group for damp Thursday. It’s wonderfully dark, and it has an absurdly thick head -- you could build a wall out of it.

The taste is burnt oak and “sour molasses”. The 8% alcohol doesn’t overwhelm. Overall, however, I’d say it’s not complex enough. A beer this dark with a head this thick promises more flavour than this brew delivers.

I was hoping for something deeper and richer.It’s drinkable, of course, but I probably wouldn’t buy this one again. Maybe no beer can brighten up a damp Thursday.

If you feel like guest blogging a Belgian Beer on Belgian Beers, drop me a line at andreeainbxl [at] hotmail [dot] com.

Belgian Beer no.264: Titje

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:25:00 +0000

Still at home, the Titje, a white beer brewed by Brasserie de Silly. The usual fresh, white, coriander tasting beer, 4.7%. Very pleasant. Nothing unusual.

Anyone know what Titje means?

Belgian Beer no.263: Super des Fagnes Griottes

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:25:00 +0000

So so so very sweet! 4.8 cherry beer brewed by Brasserie des Fagnes.

Belgian Beer no.262: Hoegaarden Citron

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:24:00 +0000

Yeah, ok, I know it is mass produced and I know a lot of you go 'hrumph' but there are mass produced beers I like. And then there are others I don't.

Hoegaarden brought out summer versions, one of which is Hoegaarden Citron (lemon). And when it's hot and sunny, I think this is the perfect 3% beer. Voila!

Belgian Beer no.261: Joseph

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:24:00 +0000

OK, I know the photo is all fuzzy - it was also almost dark! Meet Joseph, the spelt beer.

Now I do like my seazonal, organic food but I am by no means a purist. So a bio and spelt beer, all a little too 'hype' for me. We tried it, and there is something nice about it. Low in alcohol 5.4% and very yeasty.

Somehow I don't think I am into 'special' beers. Remember this one? But what I am really happy about is to discover Brasserie de Silenrieux. Just look at all those beers they brew, waiting to be discovered. Hopefully not all made with spelt...

Belgian Beer no.260: Val Dieu Blonde

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:23:00 +0000

Still at home; still going through the beers stored in our cellar. This time around the Val Dieu Blonde. A real marathon of Belgian beers don't you think?

This is a high fermentation, real abbey style blonde beer. Slightly spicy, at 6% very pleasant beer. Brewed of course by the Abbaye Val-Dieu.

I do like blonde beers!

Belgian Beer no.259: Bruegel

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:23:00 +0000

I know, I know, but at 5% a fairly 'weak' Belgian beer. Very nice amber beer though. And as it is light, it does go down very well and is pleasant to drink.

Brewed by Brasserie van Steenberge.

Belgian Beer no.258: Abbaye Val Dieu Noel

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:22:00 +0000

I guess we tried this one of fear it might be off. It is a Val Dieu Noel/ Christmas beer. Of course it wasn't off!

At 7% a pleasant beer, highly yeasty and malty, fairly balanced beer. Brewed by the Abbaye du Val Dieu.

Belgian Beer no.257: Alvinne

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:30:00 +0000

Alvinne Bruin is the next beer tried at home. (Did I mention we really need to get out and try some more beers?!).

A dark ale, at 6.5% and brewed by the Picobrouwerij Alvinne. So and so. A little on the bitter side for my taste. Also, I might be mistaken, but I think the brewery stopped producing it. Am I right?

Belgian Beer no.49: Revisited - St Donat

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:00:00 +0000

We had it before. Brewed by the now out of business Brasserie Saint Donat. Is that correct?

A 8% amber beer, slightly bitter. Not one of my favorites.

Belgian Beer no.256: Villers Oud / Villers Vieille

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:00:00 +0000

We're still around. No worries. We didn't stop www.belgian-beers.eu ... just took a little break. A food and wine break in Italy.

The Old Villers. Brewed by Brasserie Huyghe. A brown, 7% beers, classified as a double. There is something slightly salty sweet about this beer. Hints of caramel. A pleasant beer. Again tasted at home ... I really think we need to go out soon for some beer drinking!

Belgian Beer no.255: Deux Nigauds

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:32:00 +0000

You will not believe this. But it is SO hot in Brussels at the moment, that drinking (Belgian!) beer is not really on our mind. Problem with the Belgian beer, besides being plenty of, is that it tends to be on the heavy side. Hops and alcohol don't mix well with the heat.

We haven’t been going out much trying new beers. Instead bought a decent stock of untried beer which we sip at ease at home. In the garden. Something I advise, if you don’t have the time to go to a specialized beer shop, try one of the local supermarkets. Not only do the big chains stock a very decent amount of beers, the local ones (outside Brussels) tend to also sell local beers … which we do not find in the Brussels’ supermarkets.

Our latest discovery in supermarkets selling beer is Cora, which has an impressive and unusual offer. We bought one of each and are now drinking our way through them. The first one up was the Deux Nigauds. A brown beer, brewed using two type of cereals and two type of hops. At 8% a fairly strong beer, which we enjoyed very much. Brewed by Brasserie de la Botteresse de Sur-les-Bois.

Beer Bar in Turnhout - In Den Spytighen Duvel

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:40:00 +0000

A series of beers and beer bars reviewed by Michael follows for the next couple of days. This will give us the chance to try and drink some more for you.

Text and photo: Michael
Website/ blog:

Turnhout is about a 50 minute train ride from Antwerp, and almost the same by car. The Spytighen Duvel (Mournful Dead) is situated a short walk from the Market place.
Once it opened ( it opened an hour later than listed), the range of beers on offer was, at a guess into the hundreds. Ample seating space, and a friendly atmosphere, it is well worth going to if you are in that neck of the woods.

Belgian Beer no.254: Antiek Bruin

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:38:00 +0000

A series of beers reviewed by Michael follows for the next couple of days. This will give us the chance to try and drink some more for you.

Text and photo: Michael
Website/ blog:

Last one tried at the Spytighen Duvel, Antiek Bruin is brewed by Deca Services – the same place where De Struise Brouwers brew their beers. As the name suggests, this is a dark 8% beer, sweet ,with hints of spices and hops.

Belgian Beer no.253: Flodder

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:34:00 +0000

A series of beers reviewed by Michael follows for the next couple of days. This will give us the chance to try and drink some more for you.

Text and photo: Michael
Website/ blog:

From the label, one would think that this was another offering from De Dolle Brouwers, but this beer is also brewed by De Proefbrouwerij. Similar in colour, and head to the Slaapmutske, Flodder is also a very pleasant 8% beer, with a slightly more citrus taste.