Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Belgian????

I've noticed how the Belgian beer market has skyrocketed recently. I must admit I enjoy Belgian beers moreso than other international beers excluding English/Scott/Irish styles.

I love the Back Abbey in Claremont,and Lucky Baldwin's in Pasadena.

I appreciate flemish styles mostly, and Belgian strong ales are some of the best brewed beers- period.


But I must say, I see this craze as very "trendy."


I hear dudes walk around and say foolish things like, "Dude, Delirium Tremens is the best beer- ever." and "Chimay Blue is the only beer I drink."

NO!!!!


Please, NO>>>

There is a world of beer out there and I have to say, there are tons of similar Belgian Styles being brewed home-side.

Never, ever, ever cling to such cliches and narrow your beer vision. It's alright to fancy a particular style or even brewer, but drink everything with the hopes of finding the perfect pint somewhere along the way.


While only a few real Belgian beers appear localy, and even less so, trappist beers, a few craft options are available.

These beers are delicious and even better than their Belgian counterparts


Ommegang Abbey Ale- a dubbel abbey ale (think Belgian style brown)

Ommegang Three Philosophers- (strong ale flavored with cherry juice)

North Coast Thelonius Monk- (abbey ale)

North Coast Le Merle- (Saison; which is a French Style farmhouse ale)

Lagunitas Sonoma Series Hop Stoopid (Saison/Belgian IPA hybrid)

Lagunitas Sonoma Farmhouse Style Saison (Saison)

Greenflash LeFreak (Belgian Style IPA)

New Belgium La Folie (Flanders' style Red)

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tibbi:

I have been reading your blog here for awhile, and just wanted to say I enjoy your postings. I don't always agree with your points, but I definitely respect your beer knowledge and wit.

I do agree with you on the Ommegang selections. My wife and I toured their brewery just outside of Cooperstown, NY about two years ago. One appreciates the beer when you can see where it comes from, and the dedication of those that brew it.

Anyways, keep up the nice site.

-Eric

meg said...

Frankly, I'm not a big fan of the Belgians. Beers, that is; as a former resident of the country, I'd be the last to denigrate the citizens.

We were at Backhair Abbey last night, in fact. K. asked about the Piraat, and the dude described it as "an IPA, very close to Sierra Nevada, so really malty." Duuuuuude. Back to beer class with you.

I'm just glad they have Fuller's Pride on tap. And it's a pretty good bargain there, too -- $5 for an imperial pint.

tibbi said...

I always drink London Pride at Back Abbey; one reason I prefer American belgian styles is due to the fact that the beers are usually more pronounced and have stable yeas strains. Belgian beers tend to give me headaches- either from the brewer's sugar or the wild yeast elements.

Much like tannins do in red wine for some people...

And Eric- thanks.

Ommegang makes some beautiful beers, and Allagash as well, for that matter...

Meg- I am sorry to hear about the Piraat- e mail me and let me know who informed you so, so that I can go over things with the server and make nice.