#258 St Bernadus – Abt 12

Name: Abt 12
Brewery: St Bernadus (Watou, Belhium)
Style: Quadrupel
ABV: 10.5%
Source: The Beer Store

I’m almost too scared to write this post, given that it’s likely to mortally offend at least one person and confirm to everyone else that I don’t know sod all about beer.

The Abt 12 was kindly sent to me by Daniel at The Beer Store, who describes this on the site as “an almost perfect quad, quite possibly my favorite.”

I see that it scores impeccably on Ratebeer too, with an overall score of 100 and 99 for style.

Well call me a philistine, but I just don’t get it.

It’s possible that I don’t really like quads – I never order them so I haven’t had enough to tell, but I found this too sweet and the alcohol burn too rough and raw.

The aroma was quite nice – very malty, with notes of raisins, dark fruits and yeast – but it wasn’t really that strong. In the mouth it was sweet and earthy, but instead of the syrupy smoothness I wanted it seemed harsh and alcoholic.

Given that my experience seems to be so at odds with everyone else’s, I’d say there are three quite likely things that could have happened:

1) It hasn’t travelled well, and has lost some of the flavour over time
2) I am a wimp and don’t like quads much
3) I just don’t know what I’m talking about

If I haven’t mortally offended Daniel or anyone else yet, wait until you hear this: after I had drunk half of it and decided it wasn’t worth the hangover, I proceeded to dispose of the rest of it down the sink.  

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!

I don’t think I’ll be getting any more beer from Daniel.

#240 Van Honsebrouck – St Louis Kriek

Name: St Louis Kriek
Brewery: Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck Ingelmunster, Belgium
Style: Lambic – Kriek
ABV: 4.5%
Source: Victoria Park New World

I spent my Easter the same way I’ve spent it for the last four or five years – drinking/eating too much and engaging in fierce competitions (Cricket, Pizza making, Charades, Scattegories, anything you can assign points to) with family at my Dad’s house in Greytown.

On the way out we stopped to stock up on beers at Wellington’s Thorndon New World. Would you believe I’ve never been there before? It’s incredible! I literally welled up a little bit, clutched my hand to my heart and staggered around the aisle for a few moments when I saw the selection.

In hindsight I feel like I could have perhaps made better choices. This Kriek for example, wasn’t really much chop. It was too sweet and had a fake cherry juice flavour rather than that real sour musty taste you usually get from Lambics. Granted it was kinda yum – but it didn’t feel like the real deal.

I also got a litre rigger of Sprig and Fern IPA, which I tipped down the sink after three sips. It was like chewing plants! Thankfully I had a Liberty C!tra on hand to wash the taste out.

And in case anyone cares (you know you do), I came second in the pizza competition with my Autumn-themed apple, gouda, bacon and sage and caramalised onion pizza. It was kinda like an apple tart – but better because it had bacon and cheese!*

*Recipe available on request in exchange for beer. 

#231 Hoegaarden – Verboden Vrucht

Name: Verboden Vrucht (Forbidden Fruit)
Brewery: Hoegaarden
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
ABV: 8.5%
Source: The Beer Store

Verboden Vrucht (or Forbidden Fruit, if like me you’re no good at guttural hacking sounds), is certainly one of the more enticing beer names I’ve seen, but it also rings particularly true if you’re a resident of the U.S.A.

I remember Yeastie Boy Stu telling me way back ages ago about the Forbidden Fruit, and how it was banned in the US because Adam and Eve were depicted (close your eyes kids) butt nekked on the label.

Americans sure know how to brew good beer, but Goddamn they can be prudes sometimes.

Anyway, they’re missing out big time because this is, in my opinion, the most delicious of all the Hoegaarden beers.

If you’ve ever tried the Hoegaarden Grand Cru, this is basically it’s evil alter-ego. It’s dark and wickedly rich, tasting  fruits (berries, dates, apples), banana, toffee, brown sugar, spice, and all things nice. It’s quite heavy and sweet, but with a little bitterness at the finish  to round things out.

I’m not sure if this insane ban still exists in the U.S or not (they’re wearing leaves for christssake – practically beach attire!) but if so, I’d say it’s worth building an underground tunnel to Mexico in order to smuggle some in. No really.

 

#218 Lindemans – Framboise

Name Framboise
Brewery: Lindemans (St Pieters Leeuw-Vlezenbeek, Belgium)
Style: Lambic – Fruit
ABV: 2.5%
Source: The Beer Store

You know how some people think it’s not cool to like fruit beer because it’s all sweet and girly and goes against the Reinheitsgebot and might even be pink sometimes?

Well, screw those guys (I used to be one of them), because lots of fruit beer is really really delicious, including this one which tastes like liquid rasberry sorbet.

Sure, it’s very sweet. But it’s also tart and tangy (like real rasberries) with that signature musty earthiness that lambics have. It is by far the richest, fullest, most flavourful beer I have ever had at such a low ABV, which is neat because it means you can drink lots of it.

Except you couldn’t, unless you’re one of those people who’s constantly swigging soda all day. It’s just too sweet. I think it would be best served in a little crystal wine glass after Christmas dinner, or maybe even (like a rasberry sorbet) as a palate cleanser between meals.

However you do it, do it. Embrace the pink fruity deliciousness and hell – put the pretty bottle up on your wall afterwards for all your mates to see. Fruit beer rocks!

#202 Het Anker – Lucifer

Name: Lucifer
Brewery: Brouwerij Het Anker (Mechelen, Belgium)
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
ABV: 8%
Source: Belgian Beer Cafe

A few weeks ago I was at the Belgian Beer Cafe, looking at the menu and feeling a bit bored at the prospect of having a Leffe or a Hoegaarden or a Kreik, when I looked behind the bar and spotted all these other crazy beers in the fridge.

“What’s all that!?” I asked. “Have you got beers that aren’t on the menu?”

“Oh,” said the girl behind the bar. “Those are on our cellar list”.

And then she handed me, from behind the bar, this black menu that had six or so pages of beer on it – all a lot more exciting than the stuff in the main red menu, albeit a little more expensive.

Was that exciting enough to warrant a blow-by-blow reenactment? I don’t know, but the point is this: how long have the BBC had this ‘cellar menu’? Why do they keep it so hidden? And am I the only one that didn’t know about it?

But instead of asking all those questions, I ordered this Lucifer – it was a hot afternoon and a blonde that tasted of peaches (according to the menu) sounded just the ticket.

It was pretty good, but also kind of disappointing. It tasted like a fairly typical blonde ale – some yeast, cloves, banana, candied sugar, but quite dry and with a little lemony tartness at the finish. There was nothing wrong with it per se, but it was a little light in mouthfeel and the flavours seemed to fall flat somehow.

I will continue to plow through the BBC’s little black book, but I suspect people may be better off ordering the fresher beers from the tap. The cellar ones seem to have come via The Beer Store, and obviously aren’t being moved along quickly at the bar, so it’s hard to know how long they’ve been sitting there.

Or, another idea: we spread them word and get them moving along. Go forth and drink Belgian beer! (Tell your friends.)

#178 Brasserie de Rochefort -Trappistes Rochefort 10

Name: Trappistes Rochefort 10
Brewery: Brasserie de Rochefort
Style: Quad
ABV: 11.3%
Source: Regional Wines (Wellington)

Finally a beer I can sink my teeth into!

Now I know this is going to sound a bit crazy, but Trappist beers are not something I usually go for. I mean, when in Belgium (aka the Belgian Beer Cafe) yes, but usually I prefer something a bit lighter, less sweet, and less likely to put me on my arse if I have more than one.

But every time I do have a Trappist beer it’s delicious. I don’t really get it. Why are those monks so good at making beer?  Sure they’ve been doing it for over a century… But so have Beck’s and they don’t seem to have improved much?

Anyway, there’s probably a good answer to that and a beer blog that contains actual facts could fill you in, but I’ll just tell you that this Rochefort 10, brewed by Trappist monks in the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy, is freaking delicious.

It poured a deep, dark reddish brown with a sizable tan head, and smelled reeeeally good – loads of malt along with dark fruits- like prunes, figs, and raisins. I also got a little banana, candied sugar, and a whiff of earthy lederhosen.

In the mouth all those complex flavors came together in a syrupy gush of deliciousness. It was sweet yet smooth and utterly drinkable, hiding it’s high ABV dangerously well.

How are the Trappist monks not blind drunk all the time if they have access to this? I mean, never having sex – that’s got to be hard. But standing near a barrel of this beer and refraining from opening up the tap above your open mouth? That shows unbelievable self-restraint.

#134 Brasserie d’Orval – Orval

Name: Orval
Brewery: Brasserie d’Orval
Style: Belgian Ale
ABV: 6.3%
Source: Belgian Beer Cafe (Ponsonby)

Dear Orval,

I’m just going to come right out and say this: I think I love you.

I don’t know why it took me so long to find you (or why I wasted so much time with Leffe Brune at the Belgian Beer Cafe) but now that I have I’m not going to let you go ever.

I know people love the bigger, stronger Trappist beers – but I like it that you’re a little smaller. Not too small of course, but small enough that I can comfortably have you a few times in one night.

It’s not like you’re not manly, either. In fact you’ve got that leathery, earthy smell – like a well-worn pair of Lederhosen.

Mmmm…. Lederhosen…. 

I don’t like my beers too macho, which is why I really appreciate your fruity side. And your gentle sweetness, which doesn’t ever get too icky.  You’re not like any other Trappists I’ve tried Orval – you’re refreshing. 

I know all my friends would love you. Everyone would –  even my Dad who is quite picky about what I should and shouldn’t drink. Would you like to meet them? No probably not yet, I’m rushing things…

The truth is that the next 8 months are a bit complicated for me anyway. I have a lot of other beers to try, and I can’t guarantee I won’t fall for any of them (I’m only being honest because I like you so much).

But I have a plan. Meet me on August 10th (the day after I finish the blog) at the Belgian Beer Cafe. If you’re as good as you were last night, then it’s on.

A x

PS – Just remembered you’re a monk! Doh. Disregard all of the above.

#126 Brasserie Dupont – Moinette Blonde

Name: Moinette Blonde
Brewery: Brasserie Dupont
Style: Saison
ABV: 8.5%
Source: Regional Wines (Wellington)

About 100 or so beers ago (yes, I now denote time with beers) I drank the Moinette Biologique from Brasserie Dupont and went mad over it. When I saw this at Regionals with the same Moinette name, I had to get it just in case it was half as good.

It was half as good. Maybe even three-quarters as good which is actually saying a lot.

You can see it poured beautifully – a warm hazy gold, with a big white head that cleared off pretty quickly.

It smelled typically Belgian – bready yeast, candied sugar, banana, orange and spices. It was complex I suppose, but also quite simple in its summery deliciousness. In the mouth it was sweet, full and instantly boozy, but with a clean dry finish that could fool you into drinking far too much. Even after this one little bottle I was feeling p r e t t y merry indeed.

And speaking of merry.. there’s only 12 beers till Christmas! Huzzah!

#88 Lindemans – Geuze Cuvée René

Name: Geuze Cuvée René
Brewery: Brouwerij Lindemans (St Pieters Leeuw-Vlezenbeek, Belgium)
Style: Lambic – Geuze
ABV: 5%
Source: Brew on Quay (Auckland)

Like most beer-loving office-workers out there (or anyone who has lived and worked in England for a time), I’m quite partial to a pint with my lunch on Fridays.

When I was in England it was usually chips, a steak sandwhich and an Old Speckled Hen at the pub next door. Now in Auckland I can have any number of odd combinations - and yesterday it was sushi and a Geuze.

I didn’t really want a Geuze to be honest - I wanted something normal, like Bookie – but when I saw that Brew on Quay had two that weren’t Timmerman’s (the only kind I can find anywhere), I thought I had better just take it while I could.

I chose this one over the other because of it’s attractive, vaguely art-nouveau label. This and the fact it had a cork made it seem quite fancy, as did the (unanticipated) $18 price-tag. (Note to self – always check the menu first!)

It poured a clear, orangey gold with a stiff white head. It smelled like Dad’s hobbies in a glass - apple cider and musty books, with some old woody notes and a bit of vinegar as well.

It was fizzy, crisp and tart. Really tart in fact, with almost a complete absence of sugar.  The finish was bitter in a way that I found a bit jarring – like that  medicinal taste when you don’t get your panadol down in time.

I can appreciate that this is a special beer, and is probably adored by those with more sophisticated palates than mine… But  I must confess (pleb that I am) I don’t quite get it. Maybe I could force myself to drink it until I was converted - but at $18 a pop I’d have to live in a house made of Geuze bottles to make that viable.

#76 Timmermans – Tradition Geuze Lambic

Name: Geuze
Brewery: Timmermans (Belgium)
Style: Geuze
ABV: 5%
Source: Regional Wines

OK. I really don’t have much time so I will try to get through this post without going off on any tangents about why I was drinking Geuze instead of something somehow rugby related, or how this is Dad’s favourite style of beer but that I shunned it for ages because I associated it in my mind with the Timmerman’s Peche which I always found way too sweet – but actually if I went back and drank that now I’d probably quite like it because I’m always changing my mind about everything and-

ANYWAY.

On Sunday I drank this Geuze – I need not explain why. It poured a deep golden colour, slightly hazy from sediment, with a decent white head. It smelled like apple cider (real cider, not that Strongbow crap that I used to drink in London sometimes), with a hint of vinegar.

The taste is mostly of apples – slightly sweet at first, then acidic. It’s quite woody too – oak barrels I suppose. There’s something else… something I can’t quite put my finger on… hay? horse? Something a little farmy anyway.

In the mouth it feels light, dry, and quite fizzy. It’s cleansing and crisp, with quite a long, sour finish.

Do I like it? Yes I do. I understand there are more interesting (and probably more challenging) Geuze’s out there – that this is perhaps a gateway Geuze – but they’re so damn hard to find that I don’t have any others to compare it with.

And that’s got me thinking… Dad has lots of apple trees… Maybe we’ll just have to make one?