A sampling of our sampling of Belgian beers from Belgium’s best local (and large) breweries.
Seef Bootje’s Bier of Antwerp
I was pleasantly surprised to be able to enjoy a local Seef Bootje’s Bier in Antwerp at the Red Star Line museum cafe. I’d traveled here to explore my ancestor’s immigration path to the U.S. from Antwerp on the Red Star Line ships. Seef Bootje’s Beer is an amber beer with 7% alcohol and it went down easy. There are flavours of ginger and corriander.
The brewer sees the connection in the unique history of the Red Star Line shipping company, and bridges the Belgian brewing tradition and American craft beers.
Leffe & Leffe Royale
One of my friends likes Leffe Belgian beers, so I thought I’d try it. The Leffe Brune, although a dark beer, wasn’t very good. I couldn’t finish it.
I did give Leffe another chance when I found them at the Taste of Paris. The warm and welcoming representatives of Leffe pour you a pint. Then they slide over a tray with creamy cheese and prosciutto or salami to make it just that much better! They made me a big fan of Leffe Royale at the Taste of Paris food festival.
Gouden Carolus Classic Bier of Mechelen
So many beer styles to try in Belgium – I’d be here for years to get through them all. Gouden Carolus Classic by Het Anker in Mechelen is a deep ruby colour and has caramel notes. Paired nicely with a chocolate mousse dessert in Ghent.
Straffe Hendrick Quadruple (11%) Bier of Bruges
A strong dark beer, Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel (11%), can be enjoyed on an outdoor patio at Browerji brewery De Halve Mann in Bruges (Brugge), Belgium . Would have been great with a cheese fondue, but alas, the kitchen was closed.
Rodenbach Grand Cru of Roeselare
When it poured rain outside, I ducked into a local spot with a view of the town square to wait it out and to try the Grand Cru from Browerji Rodenbach, a brewer local to Roeselare. The local beer is a sour red Flemish beer which unexpectedly puckered my mouth. Truly unique!
Belle-Vue Kriek in Brussels
Another surprise! Belle-Vue Kriek, or Cherry, beer is an explosion of cherries with bubbles. I was at a grocery store and picked this one because it was both from Brussels, where I was staying, and I love cherry. I’ve come to find out that this one is owned by Anheiser-Busch InBev.
I appreciated most labels having dark versions of beer available as well as the sours and herbal flavours, rather than just the lighter or fashionable IPA beers.
Have you tried Belgian beers? What are your favourites? Please add them to the comments, below!
