They were crafty long before us, so here are five fine Belgian beers for you enjoy on their national holiday.
With craft beer now sweeping the nation, it is worth pausing to pay homage to those who have been at it for centuries, rather than a few decades at most, like ourselves and the US. And with today being Belgium’s National Day, we thought this was the perfect date to do it.
Here’s five fine beers it shouldn’t be too hard for you to pick up on the way home to toast the country of Hergé, Magritte and Fellaini…
Chimay (Red, White and Blue)
The best known of the Trappist beers, this stuff is widely available all over the country and in a lot of bars too. Made in Scourmont Abbey, it is one of only ten Trappist breweries in the world and is well worth trying if you haven’t yet.
But start slowly. Chimay Red is the weakest, at 7 per cent, White is 8 per cent and Blue is a heady 9 per cent. These are beers to be sipped and savoured, possibly with some fine cheese, which they also make at Chimay.
They do make a fourth beer, on the left below, but it is only available to the monks, and is a much weaker 4.8 per cent.
Leffe
Another beer with religious links, this is an Abbey beer even if the brand is now part of the huge Anheuser–Busch InBev company.
Leffe make a huge number of beers now but the Blonde is the one you’re most likely to find in your local offy. At 6.6 per cent, it is not a beer to get stuck into either but if you like a sweet, almost banana-esque drink, then you’ll love this.
Hoegaarden
Now this is a beer for the weather we are having right now, as it is as refreshing as they come. This is a classic wheat beer, and thankfully it is now widely available on draft all over the country.
Cloudy, with hints of fruit, it is often served with a big slice of lemon in its trademark enormous pint glasses. At 4.9 per cent, it is a lot less potent that its cousins above, but it is a school night, so take it handy.
Duvel
This is a pale ale and with a name that means ‘devil’ in the local lingo, you better treat it respect. Coming in at 8.5 per cent, this is a seriously meaty pale ale, but a beautiful beverage none the less and a true classic. It is quite smooth to drink, but don’t knock it back, trust us, you’ll pay for it in the morning.
Kriek Boon
The realm of lambic beers is one of the oddest in the Belgian beer world. Using more obscure fermentation techniques, it produces some dry, almost sour beers that are certainly different from your usual drinks.
One of the sub-genre of lambic is ‘Kriek’ where sour cherries are added to the brew, leaving a deep red colour, and flavour, but without the sweetness. At only 4 per cent, this is a light, and very different, beer to the ones above and ideal for a swift one after work. Stocked in most craft brew pubs, you should definitely give it a try.
And if you do ring in sick tomorrow, don’t try and blame us…
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