Tag Archives: belgian

2016 Saixon by The Bruery Terreux

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13427866_10103320742667040_4660205668404547932_n 13442342_10103320742657060_2122406810301567050_n 13391517_10103320742642090_3489653207712928268_oRating: 4.25/5

2016 Saixon by The Bruery Terreux is a 6.7% ABV Belgo-German Saison/Farmhouse ale brewed with Hallertau, Opal and Mandarina Bavarian Hops and Brettanomyces

Label:
Crisp – Spicy – Worldly
Saixon is a saison – not a typo. But it’s different. The saison style traces its origin back to Wallonia, the predominantly French-speaking (and bordering) region of Belgium. We asked ourselves what the style would be like if the pendulum swung East and took root closer to the German border of Belgium. And then we brewed it. Presupposition meets new inspiration in this Belgo-German hybrid. In addition to the dry, crisp and funky notes you’d associate with the classic saison style – and the wildly traditional use of Brettanomyces, Saixon also features three generations of German hops: old school (Hallertau Mittlefruh), second wave (Opal), and new school (Mandarina Bavaria and Hallertau Blanc). Santé? Prost? Cheers!

==Introduction==

Released to all societies including some to the public at the Bruery’s online store (the bruerystore.com), this is the bruery’s attempt at a Farmhouse Ale/ Saison but using German hops. It is a different take on the rustic style that many including myself enjoy very well. German beers have a very special place for me and to have a German inspired saison is a great way to take stuff into a new realm for both countries to complement. With that being said, let’s see how this one is, cheers.

Aromas:
Peppercorn, stone fruit apricot, plum, mango notes, funky farmhouse notes, mild tropical notes, vanilla, waffle cone, banana hints, citrusy, grassy and herbal hops, floral notes and mild clove spice.

Flavors:
Funky farmhouse hay, banana, clove spice, farmhouse hay, peppercorn, sea salt, floral hibiscus, chamomile, waffle cone, biscuit bread, lemon peel, stone fruit apricot, plum, mango notes, oranges, citrusy, grassy and herbal hops, white grapes, vanilla, honey, mint, coriander spice, basil, tropical fruit hints of pineapple, passion fruit and dragon fruit.

Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with stone fruit notes, lemon peel, spicy, herbally, hoppy and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, golden hazy medium body, crisp, refreshing and effervescent mouthfeel with a moderate drinkability.

Overall:
A very good saison show casing a lot of the crisp and clean tasting flavors of the German hops with the rustic Belgian inspired flavors of the saison. Something that is not super complex or super funky but right down the middle of the road and yet very different. Definitely worth a try.

Anime Corner:
Matsumoto Rangiku from Bleach was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair with the colors of both Belgium and Germany. The Orange and yellow from her hair and the black of her Hakama. It was a simple choice as the beer is Belgian and German inspired and since I haven’t used Matsumoto in a beer pairing in a long time, I figure it was about time then.

Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/ZW20MtI.jpg
http://76.72.168.19/images/2015-04-12-726521.jpeg
http://static.zerochan.net/full/19/33/19169.jpg

Grand Cru by Rodenbach of Steenhuffel Belgium

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992999_10101358398191100_635887340_n 1185481_10101358398121240_606586928_nRating: 5.09/5

Grand Cru by Rodenbach of Steenhuffel Belgium is a 6% ABV World Class Flanders Red Ale aged in oak vats. Composed of 33% “young” ale and 67% ale matured for two years

Label: 
Rodenbach Grand Cru is an exceptional Belgian ale known as Flemish Red Brown Ale. It enjoys a special status in Belgium as a “Traditional Regional” product. A mixed fermentation ale, Rodenbach is matured in oak vats, giving this ale a signature sweet-sour taste and intense bouquet with a very long after taste like a Grand Cru wine. Rodenbach Grand Cru is a blend of “young” ale (33%) and ale that has matured for two years (67%).
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While looking for the old Lips of Faith New Belgium Grand Cru, I was recommended to get this one instead as it was highly recommended by one of the personnel at the store. I have had may experiences with Grand Crus and those have become a progressing favorite style of mine as I try more. When I read this was a Flanders ale or Flemish Red brown I was was kind of surprised. At first I thought, well, most grand crus are red or brown in color but a lot of Belgian Strong Dark Ales or even Quadruples. At that point I realized, this I had to see. To my surprise, this was not a sour beer at all, it was more delightful

Aromas are of wine grapes close to funky beer, but then I got a rush of greater dark cherry yogurt fragrances as well as dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, toffee, apples, pears, buttery biscuit, butterscotch, raspberries, cherry cobbler, cherry pie, figs, raisins and brown sugar.

The flavors was definitely not what I has presumed. You don’t get much sour notes, but instead more tangy cherry notes and more fruit driven flavors like apples, apricots, raisins, figs, wine grapes, raspberries, tart cranberries, currants and black berries. You also get dulce de caramel, vanilla, cherry cobbler, cherry pie notes, oak wood, light lemon dash, earthy spices, and Black cherry yogurt.

The aftertaste is caramel sweet and cherry tart with some nice light acidic and bready notes. Not your typical sour at all. Dark crimson blood body yet pleasing to drink.

Over all, I was highly impressed. This is the first time I try a Flanders that was not more tart to sour flavored. This is the sour noted beer that many of those people that love fruity beers but don’t like sours would absolutely love. Now I see why its simply amazing. Leave it to Belgium to create the best beers in the world. If they can take a lighty funky beer and make it compete with the quads and dark strongs as “Grand Crus”, that has got to be Godly.

Leireken Wild Berries Belgian Ale by Brasserie De Silenrieux S.A.

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Rating: 3.25/5

Leireken Wild Berries Belgian Ale by Brasserie De Silenrieux S.A. Is a 5.2% ABV Fruit Belgian beer. It is brewed with Blueberry,Raspberry, Strawbery, Cherry, Pomegranite and Elderberries. For being a fruit beer, there is some slight bitterness to it. It’s emphasis is not bread like other Belgians. It is not a Kriek either. Flavors range of cherries, raspberries with alittle bit of

 bread and sour grape with bitterness maybe from the pomegranate. Like a cranberry bitterness. It is a light beer like the Acai Berry Wheat. I think it is mainly used as a refreshing drink with some fruit flavors. I also think the purpose of this beer is to mix with other beers like the Stouts or Ambers. On its own it is decent and refreshing.

Trappist Westvleteren 12 by Brouwerij Westvleteren (Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren)

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Rating: 5/5Trappist Westvleteren 12 by Brouwerij Westvleteren (Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren) is a 10.2% Mother of all the Beers in the world and leader of all quadruple fermented Belgian ales. Rated one of the best beers in the world right next to Pliny the Younger and Elder as well as others. One of the hardest beers to find due to its exclusivity or the Monasteries of Saint Sixtus Westvleteren. Meaning you have to buy it there physically or be stupidly lucky to find it *Ebay…ahem*. Founded in the year 1838, the brewery has been brewing and selling beer to support the monasteries as a non profit organization in Belgium. This beer goes without saying, but it doesn’t even need the label to show that this beer is something close to the Divine. You know, the stuff that Ben Franklin said about how “Beer exists because God wants people to be happy” kind of thing. Good news is that they will soon be working with distributors to make it available here in the states. 

So how is this beer really… and is it really the best in the world? Well, for starters, how does it compare to St Bernardus 12 and Trois Pistoles which to me are the best in the world? This is one is very similar but more flavor intense. Like trying to eat an entire jar of sweet dulce de leche. It is actually overwhelming. This is the second time I try this beer and in comparison this one is alittle more awesome. Almost feels like my body was going numb just it was hard to describe all the good flavors. Almost like a sugar comma. The flavors just explode leaving no taste buds untouched in sweetness. The 10.2% does kick in fair. So the flavors I can make out are a ton of caramel, dulce de leche, burnt sugar, honey, raisins, grapes and plum bread, chocolate, oak and other good spices. Very chewy and creamy beer as well :P.Just like I said last year I will say it again though. It is only the best beer in the world only in comparison because I can easily find St. Bernardus 12 and Trois Pistole 1000 times much easier than this one. Trust me, even though St, Bernardus is not considered Trappists by Belgian Standards, they should be as they make the beer using the same yeast as Westy 12 made since they obtained the licensing in the 1940’s A time when Sixtus needed money and St. Bernardus, a cheese producing Monastery assisted them. After the 1990s is when Bernardus decided not to renew the license though. Either way, in a taste test, even though Westy 12 may have it down more complex, St Bernardus 12 has the 2nd best complexity that comes the closest to the Westy 12. As soon as this beer hits the states, go get one…LOL unless your willing to get on ebay or a special beer shop that knows some hookups 😉

2011 Review:
The Westvleteren 12, known as the best beer in the world is only sold by monks in Belgium to be drunk over there and not resold. They do not make any money off of this and the proceeds go to their monasteries. I was finally able to get a hold of this beer and I will wait for the special occasion to give it go. Of course being a beer geek, I will have to get the right glassware and all to give this one a go. Drinking this will probably be like reaching the peak of beer tasting experience. I’ll see how it goes..lol

UPDATE: So me and my brother finally got around to trying this beer. It was the same beer I gave to my friend as a wedding gift. The smell was very rich and fruity. A wiff of this reminded me of a lost abbey. When I finally got around to tasting it, the first thing that came to mind was a combination of a less sweet st berbardus abt 12 but as strong and deliciousness of the deliverance ale of lost abbey. Nice and creamy beer full of extreme complexity and nothing too overwhelming as another. You have your caramel, malty, dark fruits of figs raisins, alcohol sense, bready flavor from the yeast, spices and minor bitterness. Not like the st bernardus 12 where it is more sweeter, but the balance of all the flavors put together is like a roller coaster of Belgium awesomeness. It is more dry and creamy than lingering forever, but the instant you have it in your taste buds is like trying to taste everything at once but your mind isn’t fast enough…. A beer to truly remember as I had this in celebration of my new car, but also because this is a beer that is very hard to get a hold of and also once in a life time opportunity for me. I was glad I had ya westy :)…Truly the best beer in the world….LOL…only cuz I can find other beers easier too :P…..

Prior 8 by St Bernardus

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ImagePrior 8 by St Bernardus is the Dubbel version of their great ales. By Dubbel or Double it is double fermented unlike the quad abt 12 which is quadruple fermented. This ale I had to give a try as I was stunned by the number 12. Well for this beer, they sure know how to impress at Belgium. This ale has that caramel, brown sugar, bready taste from the yeast and malts but it is not as strong. In fact if I ever wanted a lighter version of the great 12 this would be it. This beer also has some kind of nice wine feel to it as well. Very complex and ages extremely well. Sweetness hints of dark figs, raisins as well as a very subtle hint of hops. Sure a Belgian brew I would try again as I like the different St. Bernardus ones and this would equate to their “light” version. Low in alcohol, full in complex flavor. 😛