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STYLE OF BEER
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TRAPPIST
Renowned for their complexity, these are world class beers. This is the closest you can get to Heaven on Earth. They are all
brewed by Trappist Monks within the walls of a functioning monastery.
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ABBEY BEERS
Similar in style to Trappist beers, Abbey beers are brewed by commercial companies under license from a religious order.
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REGIONAL SPECIALITY BEERS
Generally known as "Streekbieren" as so many Belgian beers defy categorisation. They are all top fermenting ales
but many are so distinctive as to create their own style!
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LAMBIC, FRUIT BASED LAMBIC & WHEAT BEERS
Lambic beer has to be the most unusual beer family in the world. Small farmhouse breweries near Brussels maintain a tradition
for spontaneously fermenting wheat beers. No yeast is added, the magical micro organisms of the area enter the brew left in
open vessels in dusty galleries overnight. Afterwards two fermentations take place, in wooden casks, the first over a week
and subsequently over months, as the beer is stored. Some versions (Gueuze) will have a dry, tart finish, similar to a dry
cider, while other with fruit essence & syrups will have a very sweet taste.
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BELGIAN ALES
Beers of conventional strength. The Belgian equivalent to a German "Alt" beer or an English Pale Ale. A more traditional
everyday drinking beer than many Belgian beers.
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SCOTCH ALES
The British ales became popular in Belgium during the war. These beers were brewed in Britain and bottled in Belgium as they
are thought to be too strong for the home market.
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PILSNERS
Crisp and hoppy pale lager beers, light in body but refreshingly dry. Often overlooked because of the wealth of more unusual
Belgian beers, but quality lager beers accounting for a large percentage of the home market.
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STRONG GOLDEN ALES
Whilst the golden colour of this style suggests they may be lagers they are complex and strong top fermented ales. Duvel is
the Flemish for the devil is the most well known. Deceptive in their strength as all are light in palate.
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RED ALES
A deep red burgundy colour with a tart, almost sour, taste, makes this one of the most unusual beer styles. Aged in oak vats
for a couple of years Rodenbach is the definitive example.
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WHEAT BEERS
The term white is applied because of the pale colour and natural cloudiness. Belgian Wheat beers, unlike the German Weiss
beers, are generally spiced with coriander, curacao and orange peel.
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IPA
Traditionally India Pale Ales, the hoppiest of all pales, were brewed with more alcohol and large quantities of hops in order
to survive the lengthy ocean journey from the U.K. to India. Lately the style has been revived in American with some amazing
hoppy flavoured beers produced by the micro breweries.
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Porter
Originally made for market porters, modern Porters are usually highly malty with some having chocolate or coffee added to
balance the burnt flavours.
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Alt
Altbier or Old beer, similar in style to a British bitter and usually found in Dusseldorf.
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Kolsch
The local style of the city of Cologne. A pale spritzy delicate beer, with it's own appelation.
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Smoke beer
From Franconia comes the distinctive smoked beers of Bamberg. The smoky flavor is achieved by exposing the malt to the intense,
aromatic smoke of burning beech-wood logs at the Schlenkerla-maltings. After mixing it with premium-class hops in the brew,
it matures in 700 year old cellars, deep down in the hills of Bamberg. Very good with smoked meats.
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