Featured European Beers (Issue 19)
Story by:
Jim Dykstra
La Grande Blanche
De Proef Brouwerij
Lochristi, Belgium
www.proefbrowerij.com
Floral and tropical fruit aromas are followed by soft wheat present on the palate. The beer finishes with a hint of hop bitterness and coriander spice. It displays a bit more body than most Belgian wits and has 7.5 percent ABV. But it retains the style’s refreshing character and should be served relatively cold.
Reinaert Flemish Wild Ale
De Proef Brouwerij
Lochristi, Belgium
www.proefbrowerij.com
This ale was fermented three times with two different yeasts, including a strain of brettanomyces, the “wild yeast” of Belgium. Notes of brett and spicy aromatics are in the flavor and it has a funky, malty and juicy note on the palate. The beer, 9.0 percent ABV, finishes with brett and dry hop notes.
Zoetzuur Flemish Ale
De Proef Brouwerij
Lochristi, Belgium
www.proefbrowerij.com
The name comes from the Flemish word for sweet and sour. This unique ale is made from multi-yeast strain fermentation with a hint of Belgian Kriek, or cherry juice added. At 7.0 percent ABV, it is a subtle and complex blend where sour is balanced by tart fruit, hints of wood and a velvety finish.
Lozen Boer
De Proef Brouwerij
Lochristi, Belgium
www.proefbrowerij.com
Named for the West Flanders restaurant near the brewery, whose proprietor’s father smuggled cows from Amsterdam to Belgium. The beer is dark and rich with dark fruit spice aromas and flavors. At 10 percent ABV, it has layers of depth and complexity and was once a selection in Michael Jackson’s Beer Club. A serving temperature of 50˚ to 55˚F is recommended.
Saison
Brasserie St.-Feuillien
Le Roeulx, Belgium
www.st-feuillien.com
This saison from the Belgian terroir is a traditional farmhouse ale with the rich savor of the fertile land found in southern Belgium. A golden blonde ale in color, due to a secondary fermentation in the bottle it has a flavor full of nuance and a slight tang. The St. Feuillien is one of the few saisons also available in cans.
Grand Cru
Brasserie St.-Feuillien
Le Roeulx, Belgium
www.st-feuillien.com
Grand Cru has a full, dense, lacy white head of foam. Very pale in color and brilliantly bright, Grand Cru features a delicate nose full of subtle hops and fruit with a backdrop of malt and honey. At 9.5 percent ABV, Grand Cru is dry on the palate, firm in body and well-attenuated with a pleasant fruity bitterness and toasted malt character.
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