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!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

The Duvel and Jim Liddle

"The pilsner malts, Bohemian hops, and unique yeast strain combine to create Duvel's intensity, aroma and allure. And the unusually long maturation process at our brewery ensures a mellow, balanced and beguiling flavor."
We'll see about that.
A Pint & 9 Belgian Golden Ale, registering in at 8.5%. A forceful pop as I loosen the cork, as if I let something out I shouldn't have. (get it like the devil, or one of those bad genies.)
I am instructed to pour unhurriedly, but I pour how I damn-well please - fairly unhurriedly, and it produces more of a head than expected. A lovely pure white head, atop a pale golden ale - reminiscent of a Pabst Blue Ribbon, or other clear Golden american beer - that is effervescent like a Champagne (active stream of bubbles from the bottom.) So far so good. Alluring: as they told me.
It smells like Belgium! bananas and wheat. I am dying to drink it (which I have sipped it but I must continue the narrative as if we are traveling together, chronologically...)
Wow! Now that I have sipped it, it is delicious. And I don't use that descriptor lightly.
It is light but flavorful. Sparkling in the mouth. Does not taste too much like alcohol, and is not too sweet. It is slightly bitter, but dances all around the tongue. It loses it's head pretty quick, but who needs a foam mustache on top of a their current hair mustache? Not me - maybe the stranger, one mister Sam Elliott, but I digress.
This is it.
I think on the back of the label they say it best: "Refreshing and Golden like a pilsner but with the flavor, depth and complexity of an ale. This Belgian favorite has been brewed by four generations of the Moortgat family. Enjoy chilled with discerning friends or good looking strangers."
Thank you Moortgat family. This is what Damnation wanted to be.

1. Duvel
2. TJs Dark Unibroue
3. Damnation
4. Chimay
5. Orval
6. Brother Thelonious
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1 comment:

  1. Gibson-USJune 3, 2010 at 12:24 PM

    I guess I'll have to give the Duvel another try. It was underwhelming when we battled with it earlier this year.

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