How do I explain this site to people?

"It is one man's journey to figure out what the best Belgian beer in the world is
(whether it comes from Belgium or not.)"
At one point in my life I had not tasted the sweet elixir which is a Belgian Style beer. My very first description of my first glass was - in a nasally voice-cracking nerdy tone -
"It tastes like bananas; but I like it."
No I was not prepubescent at the time but I certainly was green. It was in my youthful days of college, in Sonoma County, where I first tasted "Belgian Style Ale." At a small (although apparently world acclaimed) brewery called Russian River.
The beer: Damnation.
I did not realize what I had at that pub, great pizza, magnificent beer. It also opened me up to a new world of Belgian beer. Soon I was drinking Chimays and Unibroues and Ommegangs and Duvels. Enjoying each along the way. And now I continue that journey with a purpose:
To find the best Belgian beer in the world!

Monday, April 5, 2010

"Start at the beginning"

To kick off this competition, I decided to begin where I started: Damnation. Russian River is fairly widely distributed, at least in Nor Cal and the North West. It's $9.99 at New Seasons Market (a local whole food market - it's $10.99 at our local Whole Foods) for a 750 ml, corked bottle. It weighs in at 7.75% alcohol (about a middle weight for a Belgian Style.) Enough with the "How's Your Father?" let's try the stuff.
Ahh. Lovely. See to me, blasphemy or not, Damnation is the quintessential Belgian (but then again, that's what this whole project is about.) A beautiful golden blonde. Smells sweet and fruity, with just the slightest kiss of floral hops. Light, sparkling, and sweet on the tongue; only barely bitter. The alcohol is masked by the sweetness and an absolute smoothness. That taste of Belgian yeast, that has always been bananas to me. And I don't mean crazy!
Smoothness is absolutely important to me, I'm not going to say the end all, but close. Now don't get me wrong I enjoy a little funk in my beverage from time to time, but it's more of an experience than something I consider amongst my favorite drink. Damnation is smooth, and refreshing, and sweet, and alcoholic; and a beautiful blonde to boot.
My only complaint is after "a pint & 9" it may become too sweet if being consumed entirely by itself.
So far Damnation is my favorite Belgian style beer I've tried in the competition. Ha! Right? But seriously I will try to keep a running ranking as "we" go along.

1. Russian River's Damnation

...next: Chimay's Grand Réserve (Blue)
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