[MD1032]

Wow, a real Belgian! Questions: If you could recommend one Tripel, which one would it be? I tried the St. Bernardus one and I loved it...fantastic stuff. Those Belgians really know what they're doing over there...I've never had a more flatline and complex beer in my life before. Apparently I need to try "Westmalle"...thoughts?

I have tried Duvel but it wasn't for me. I absolutely loved everything about it except the fact that the flavor was really weak compared to what I'm used to over here in the US. I did get a recommendation for a Leffe, I'll have to try it.

And yes, I'm lucky enough to have a local shop that stocks Belgian stuff, but I would accept anything you'd like to ship me anyway.

 

[Ultrainferno]

Hi, sorry for the late reply, been busy

Atm I still have:

1. Duvel: 8.5%

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Duvel_beer.jpg

2. Stella: 5.2%

http://www.unholylaboratory.com/stella_artois.jpg

3. Ter Dolen: 6.1%

http://www.mamut.net/bierwinkel/150.jpg

4. Achel Trappist: 8%

http://www.beermerchants.com/Images/...3780468750.jpg

5. Limburgse Witte 5%

http://www.receptjes.be/pics/bieren/limburgse_witte.jpg

6. Herkenrode Trippel: 7%

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...enrodebier.jpg

7. Winterkoninske: 8.3%

http://forum.touteslesbieres.fr/userimages/DSCN2288.JPG

8. Sint Gummarus Double: 7.1%

http://www.toerismelier.be/jscripts/...ntgummarus.jpg

9. Bokkereyer: 6%

http://www.receptjes.be/pics/bieren/bokkereyer.jpg

10. Sezoens Quattro: 8%

http://www.beermania.be/images/bm854.jpg

11. Pax Pils: 5%

http://rafenwim.be/Site%20bierfietse...en/PaxPils.jpg

12. Kriekenbier: 5%

http://www.receptjes.be/pics/bieren/kriekenbier.jpg

13. Bosbier: 4.5%

http://www.receptjes.be/pics/bieren/bosbier.jpg

14. Leffe Blond: 6.6%

http://www.grancanariadowntown.com/i...fe%20blond.jpg

15. Bink: 5.5%

http://blogimages.seniorennet.be/bie...ae4a43bd9b.jpg


I can't believe you don't like Duvel. It's a perfect taste!

Leffe ain't as strong as Duvel at at, it's less bitter and has a less pronounced taste. It's excellent to drink in summer or even with meals.
We drink it as a normal beer cause we're used to it, but it's actually lots heavier (but not like Duvel) My Leffe record is 14 in one night. Its been a while since i drunk it, got a bit bored of the taste. But definately one you should taste. A beer you can compare to Leffe is Grimbergen, also very nice.

Oh yes, the tripple Westamlle is excellent, if you can get it you really should try it. Its one of the more expensive ones here tho. Great taste but a very heavy beer, don't drink on an empty stomac.

The absolutely best belgian beer is made by monks in Westvleteren:

welcome

It is sold exclusively at the abbey and has to be ordered years in advance! (limited quantities). Only citizens can buy it, no companies as the abbey does not want to be rich and commercial. It won the Best Beer of the World Award as well...

Westvleteren 12 from Westvleteren Abdij St. Sixtus - Ratebeer

As you can see it has a 100% score!

No if you really want a beer you cant get i could check if its possible to send it to you, but i'm afraid transport costs to the US would kill you...

 

[Ultrainferno]

Another great tripel to try is the Tripel Karmeliet, also won the best beer of the world award in 2008

 

[MD1032]

Yeah I always go for the strong stuff because I rarely have more than a couple beers a night, and even then, usually only on Fridays and Saturdays, so I make that time count!

Thanks for the recommendations.

 

[ziplock]

Looks like you guys have been enjoying some nice brews. I miss drinking my Belgium beers since I moved to Vermont!

There are some good micros around here, but they mostly produce IPAs it seems. Don't get me wrong, I love a good IPA. But I miss the variety from Texas.

Someone drink a St Bernardus Abt 12, Piraat, Orval, or La Trappe Quadrupel for me. Please?

 

[MD1032]

Close enough?

This was fantastic stuff. Not quite as smooth as the St. Bernardus but much more full of flavor. I can see why this is the original, and standard to this day, truly an excellent beer, and one of the hoppier Belgians I've had, although still well within the extremely flat flavor profile expected. Great complexity, crispness, freshness, argh, I wish I had more! Just watch out, that 9.5% will sneak up on you.

 

[Ultrainferno]

But why a coca cola glass??!

 

[ziplock]

Sure! Westmalle is delicious as well. I've had that Tripel on several occasions, very good stuff

 

[MD1032]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultrainferno /img/forum/go_quote.gif But why a coca cola glass??!

I love that glass! I just wish it was like 2 oz. smaller. I actually got it at the factory in Atlanta this year. Normally, I'd put the beer into a mug but it was a clean, clear glass I had laying around. One day I want to put Duvel into that glass and see all that space occupied by foam...should be fun! I do need to get a tulip glass, though.

 

[lost in va]

Started my vacation today and while I have a bit of work to get done during the next 5 days I knew I had to kick it off right. Talked with the owner of my local specialty store (wine, cheese, beer) for over and hour, managed to get a few very limited beers, managed to snag myself a spot at a tasting that will include the worlds 3rd strongest beer (TNP) and the newest strongest beer in the world (sink the bismark). Some of the beers are for other people (3 for a lady friend and 3 for my ladies dad)

R to L:

allagash - black
ommegang - BPA (one of six that he was able to get)
flying dog - dog schwarz (one of ten that he got)
dfh - black and blue x2 (for a lady friend)
the bruery - mischief (for the ladies dad)
coney island - human blockhead (for the ladies dad)
chateau rouge - single malt (first shipment into hampton roads)
southern tier - choklat stout (for a lady friend)
brewdog - paradox macallen
brewdog - paradox isle of arran
bells - double cream x2
williamsburg aleworks - coffee stout x2
terrapin - coffee oatmeal imperial stout
blue point - toasted lager (for the ladies dad)

 

[Graphicism]

Maudite - Brewed by Unibroue of Quebec, Canada
Belgian Strong Dark Ale - 8.00% ABV

[size=x-large]A+[/size]

• Pours a hazy brownish red with two fingers of creamy white head. Retention is excellent and leaves a good amount of lacing all the way down.

• Smell is reminiscent of a Belgian dark ale with a huge essence of fruit and spices.

• The taste follows the smell perfectly; Huge front of apples and citrus grace the taste buds alongside cardamom, clove and nutmeg mingled together in a sort of content for taste supremacy backed by sweet malt aromas. Theres more exotic smells manifesting; peach, mango cantaloupe and grape all working together in this earthy alcohol atmosphere.

• After such a tasty onslaught the mouth feel is ridiculously creamy smooth, stimulating the tongue and lips with its mixture of spice and earthy alcohol nature. Hints of pear and blackberry team up with melted chocolate and toffee as they dance in my mouth while I progress through the drink.

Unibroue of Canada have been among the best tasting, amazingly complex beers I've ever had the pleasure of drinking. Maudite easily competes with the best Europe has to offer, a true tribute to it's Belgian ancestors.
This is without a doubt one of my all-time favorites - A stunning brew!

 

[buddhashenglong]

Classy photo above, I like it.

 

[nealric]

Quote:

It is sold exclusively at the abbey and has to be ordered years in advance! (limited quantities). Only citizens can buy it, no companies as the abbey does not want to be rich and commercial. It won the Best Beer of the World Award as well...

RE: The Westvleteren

A bit of misinformation here. I have had the Westvleteren 12 twice.

You don't need to order years in advance. You just have to reserve your case soon after they announce a new batch. They won't necessarily have all the varieties available at once. If you buy direct from the monastery you need to buy a whole case.

You do not need to be a citizen- that's nonsense. The monks just don't want you to be reselling it. In fact, the monks come out and give you a lecture about the beer when you come and buy it.

You can buy small quantities from the cafe across the street from the monastery (6-packs). Some beer places in Brugge, Ghent, and Brussels will sell it grey market for highly inflated prices. It's also available on ebay for insane prices.


It is, in fact, the best beer I have ever had.

 

[Ultrainferno]

A friend of mine recently went to pick up his crate, he had been on the waiting list for a year...

But still, they won't sell to resellers, so maybe citizens is a wrong word I used, but its what I ment

And yes, like everything else in the world, you can get it on ebay and in some shops

Anyhoooo, great beer

 

[MD1032]

I just bought that Maudite, what a coincidence, Graphicism. I've heard a lot of good things about that company, plus I wanted to try La Fin Du Monde, so I picked up an additional bottle.

Last night, I had a Trappites Rochefort "8". This was a much, much more in-your-face beer than I could have possibly anticipated, especially for a Belgian beer.

I realize this is a "strong ale", but it was kinda over the top for me. Don't get me wrong, I really loved it and would recommend it to anyone, heck, on average I drink beers that are even stronger than this, however, I would also say that it isn't anything you can't get from American brewers. To me it was like a cross between a quad and something crazy like Stone's Double person or Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot.