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Top 91 Belgian-Style Beers
Modern craft beer would not be the same without the efforts and devotion to artisanal beermaking that our Belgian brewing forefathers put forth for centuries in advance of the rise of modern craft beer and recent Belgian-style beers.
Those efforts have been frequently recreated by modern craft brewers through the brewing of a mosaic of Belgian-style beers.
Belgian-style beers are some of the most popular styles in beer, as Witbier, Saison and Tripel are among the favorites of craft beer fans the world over. We’ve highlighted the Top 91 Belgian-style beers that we’ve ever reviewed here at The Beer Connoisseur, dating back to our very first issue almost 10 years ago.
Of course, Belgian-style beers are one of the most popular families of beers in craft beer, so there are probably thousands that we have not reviewed here at BC. As always, this list is limited to beers that our judges have actually reviewed.
So pop open a sultry Saison, hearty Tripel or hoppy and delectable Belgian Pale Ale and imbibe while you read up on the Top 91 Belgian-style beers we’ve ever reviewed!
#91
91
McChouffe
#90
91
Kriek des Jacobins
"This authentic Belgian beer is light-bodied, highly carbonated, and it has a very slight creamy edge to it. For a Kriek, this beer is great because unlike most commercial Kriek I’ve had, this one is not overly sweet, but rather tart, crisp and dry. That is a very refreshing change and well appreciated."
– Judge Jason Johnson
#89
91
Ned
#88
91
Bastogne Ardenne Spirit
#87
91
Rosetta
#86
91
Oude Geuze Boon Black Label
"There's great flavor here, and there's no doubt this is a very good Belgian beer, but it's just a bit tough to drink because of that Spartan, bone-dry backdrop. I shared some around, and it was definitely popular, so you won't regret it -- and if you want your sour served straight, you'll love it!"
– Judge Josh Weikert
#85
91
pFriem Flanders Red
#84
91
Éphémère Strawberry & Rhubarb
"Overall, the extremely fresh fruit character is the dominant quality of this beer. Strawberry lovers will rejoice with this offering. Though the character of the strawberry seems a bit under-fermented and the overall complexity is rather lacking, this Belgian-style beer still delivers a refreshing summer treat."
-Judge Joseph Formanek
#83
91
Shakedown Street
#82
91
Barrel-Aged Jude
"American oak wafts out of the glass and dominates the aroma. Vanilla, charred oak, and mellow bourbon comprise the barrel profile with an underlying presence of bready malt. This an attractive Belgian-style beer – bright gold with exceptional clarity and a medium sized white frothy head that stands its ground."
-Judge Sean Coughlin
#81
92
Cuvée des Jacobins
#80
92
Allagash White
#79
92
Bocholt
"This was a very refreshing authentic Belgian beer. It poured with a lovely white foamy head and was quite thirst-quenching with a nice clean grainy aroma and flavor. A clean and dry finish made me want to keep sipping this beer all night."
– Judge Susan Ruud
#78
92
Cliff Top Bock
Cliff Top Brewing Co.
#77
92
Saison Vos
"Saison Vos, a stunningly well-conceived and executed version of the classic Belgian farmhouse ale, is but one in a long line of immaculate beers they produce. While Saison is an exceedingly difficult style to replicate outside of Belgium, Sly Fox has nailed it, and everyone should find a way to lay hands on this stellar brew."
#76
92
Florida Cracker
#75
92
Local's Stash: Raspberry Belgian Style Quad
#74
92
Casey
#73
92
Nordic Saison
"Harpoon’s 100 Barrel Series #54 Nordic Saison is a very approachable Saison perfect for summer quaffing. This hazy golden brew has a very evident Belgian fermentation character that exhibits well throughout the aroma and flavor and perfectly exemplifies the Saison style."
-Judge Joseph Formanek
#72
92
Tropic King
#71
92
Malheur 12
#70
92
Matilda
#69
92
Balloon Boy
"Burnt City Brewing’s Balloon Boy Farmhouse Wheat Ale is a delicious farmhouse ale! I found this to be a mix of coarse and elegant flavors. It showcased the ingredients and the yeast character quite well."
-Judge Sandy Cockerham
#68
92
Ommegang Witte
#67
92
Dantalion
#66
92
Gulden Draak
"Boasting a whopping 10.5 percent ABV, Gulden Draak is a seriously hefty Belgian brew. Bottle conditioned with wine yeast for the secondary fermentation, Gulden Draak’s aromas are dominated with notes of caramel, milk chocolate, blackcurrants and alcohol. Devilishly drinkable, but strong enough to merit respect and caution, this is the perfect dessert beer."
#65
93
Saison de Rose
#64
93
Bronx Belgian Pale Ale
#63
93
Abita Abbey Ale
#62
93
Arjuna
#61
93
La Trappe Witte Trappist
Trappist Brewery Koningshoeven
"While this witbier isn’t the most characteristic of its style with a lack of coriander, orange and other spices, it is still incredibly refreshing and has a good bit of complexity to it. A great choice for a warm-weather day when you’re craving something light but flavorful."
-Judge Sean Coughlin
#60
93
Hi-Dilly-Ho
#59
93
Darken
"This beer smells like someone poured a shot of expensive balsamic on figs and dates with a shake of black pepper and some anise. Complex layered flavors mix and remix on their journey over the palate. The brewer shines here by knowing exactly when to take this beer off the oak. Oak tannin plays well with the tartness and the spices."
-Judge Pat Mulloy
#58
93
Park
#57
94
Cuvée des Jacobins Prestige
#56
94
La Trappe Dubbel
Trappist Brewery Koningshoeven
#55
94
Bastogne Ardenne Saison
"This beer tastes bitter, dry, and attenuated with an even overtone of Brett and prickly hop spice. It is highly carbonated and medium bodied, finishing with a wild twinge. Overall this is a surprisingly easy-drinking ale. It's a pleasure to be able to enjoy something so characterful yet unobtrusive."
-Judge Jim Koebel
#54
94
La Trappe Quadrupel
Trappist Brewery Koningshoeven
#53
94
Invocation
#52
94
Grains of Truth
#51
94
Blonde Fatale
#50
94
Lemon Zest Farmhouse Ale
"The blend of yeast character and lemon zest used in moderation balances very well with the malts and the overall strength of the beer. Overall this is a beer worth recommending with enough complexity to intrigue anyone’s palate."
-Judge John C. Tull
#49
94
Side Trip
#48
94
Sweet Tooth
#47
94
Virgil's Reserve
"This is a very interesting wine barrel-aged Belgian ale with a multitude of complex characters that interplay well. The sourness is light and complementary instead of being on the forefront like many wild beers. I expect that this beer will age well and possibly develop even more complexity over time."
-Judge Michael Heniff
#46
94
Hinterland Grand Cru
#45
94
Summer Saison
#44
94
Snozzberry
#43
94
Funkwerks Saison
#42
94
King Gambrinus
"Originally offered by the Westmalle Trappist Monastery in Belgium some 80 years ago, this fine example of the Belgian Tripel style should be considered for consumption by any discriminating beer connoisseur."
-Judge James Link
#41
94
Super Saison
#40
94
Brewery Lane Series: Oak Aged Saison
"What made this saison wonderful was the slight touch of grape juice that lends a bit of sweetness and added profile. This is a beer that can be enjoyed year-round and especially during the holidays due to the wonderful complex flavors and high alcohol content."
-Judge Richard Wong
#39
94
Lune de Miel
#38
94
St. Feuillien Grand Cru
#37
94
Cuvée René
"A classic example of what some consider the oldest existing beer in the world, Gueuze, Cuvée René is a traditional blend of young and old lambics produced in Belgium’s Senne River Valley. Remaining true to its lineage, this beer is effervescent, punishingly sour and almost cidery, while being possessed with an enchanting complexity of aromas and flavors unique to the region’s spontaneously fermented beers."
#36
94
Vander Ghinste Oud Bruin
#35
95
Wit
"St. Bernardus Witbier is a wonderful example of a style that nearly went extinct. Developed in cooperation with Pierre Celis, who almost single-handedly resurrected Witbier, the St. Bernardus take on this timeless style evinces all the intriguing aromas and flavors of the classics. Elegant and refined, St. Bernardus Witbier is a highly quaffable authentic Belgian beer for those sweltering summer days."
#34
95
La Folie
#33
95
Long Strange Tripel
#32
95
Poivre Potion
#31
95
Red Poppy
"Boasting a complex blend of bright green apples, tingling sourness, luscious cherries, and subtle farmhouse notes, Red Poppy’s aroma is at once appetizing and inviting. Red Poppy is a deep red, bordering on amber that throws just a hint of haze. By turns evincng light caramel sweetness, bright acidic tartness, and hints of oak, the flavor matches the nose."
#30
95
Lil' Devil
#29
95
Valar Morghulis
#28
95
Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour
#27
95
Saison Imperiale
"This is a great Belgian Farmhouse Ale in pretty much every way -- the only thing I would do is reduce the carbonation slightly. However, the carbonation and clean/crisp finish are perfect for fatty food; I am going to have a second glass of this beer with some spicy French fries smothered in chopped chili peppers. A nice ribeye steak would also pair well with this beer."
– Judge Nelson Crowle
#26
95
Alter Ego Saison
#25
95
The Discreet Charm of the Framboisie
#24
95
Beatitude Mango
"This beer was crisp, dry and effervescent with some champagne-like qualities that tickled the mouth and finished off with a lip-smacking sourness. This could easily have been a breakfast mimosa (orange juice and champagne), and exemplifies the Fruit Lambic style."
-Judge Richard Wong
#23
95
Blonde de l'Enfer
#22
96
Two Tortugas
#21
96
Classic Saison
"This is a very balanced beer with a lightly sweet, bready maltiness mixing with fruit and spice flavors reminiscent of fresh cut oranges, papaya and cardamom. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and creamy, and the finish is pleasantly bitter, leaving any drinker eager for another sip. Although certainly a somewhat atypical example of saison, this highly flavorful, effervescent and balanced beer is a delight to have in your glass on a warm, spring afternoon."
-Judge Graham Barron
#20
96
Hennepin
"This is a world-class example of its style from a brewery that makes some of the best Belgian-inspired beers in the world. Get it now, and keep it on hand as an effervescent and smooth-drinking reminder of what great beer can be."
-Judge Josh Weikert
#19
96
Vintage 2013
"I've had my share of sours and the classics like Duchesse De Bourgogne are still among my favorites; this beer is right up there with those style archetypes. I can't think of a single thing about this beer I would change, other than the light leather character I got in the aroma. Even that was mild and easy to look past. If you are a fan of sours, Flanders Reds or Browns in particular, you need to find this beer."
-Judge Jason Johnson
#18
96
La Chouffe
"Deftly camouflaging its deceptive alcohol strength among layers of ripe fruit aromas and honeyed malt, La Chouffe from Brasserie Achouffe is truly a world class Belgian strong golden ale. Though highly quaffable, this brew packs a respectable ABV (8%) and should be savored in moderation."
#17
96
Saison Dupont
"For more than a century and a half, Brasserie Dupont has produced what is surely the benchmark by which all farmhouse ales are measured – Saison Dupont. A truly rustic country beer that is still produced on a working farm in the Wallonian countryside of Belgium, Saison Dupont keeps alive the tradition of honest, artisanal brewing."
#16
96
pFriem Oud Bruin
"For those that don't need food with their beer, this is also a lovely beer to drink on its own; just kick back by the fireplace and enjoy the craftsmanship that went into making this delightful brew."
-Judge Susan Ruud
#15
96
Goudenband
"A vibrant, moderately sour flavor profile comes across as refreshing -- yet complex -- with layers of fruit esters giving way to a lactic/acetic acid finish. The refreshing, acidic backbone of this well-aged, medium-bodied authentic Belgian ale is balanced by sweet, dark, biscuity malts and complex esters, which produce a charming, sweet and sour conclusion."
#14
96
La Trappe Oak Aged Quadrupel
Trappist Brewery Koningshoeven
"Putting it all together, the overall package delivers a remarkably smooth drink for the style while still maintaining those delicious Belgian Quad flavor characteristics. La Trappe Oak Aged Quadrupel Batch 25 is a quite complex yet amazingly easy-to-drink offering. Definitely a keeper and highly recommended, either to partake in now or to cellar for a while for even more complexity."
-Judge Joseph Formanek
#13
96
Fruitage
A complex blend of aromatics delight the nostrils upon first pour. Dark cherries are first evidenced and combine pleasantly with a light lactic tartness and just a touch of Brettanomyces. The flavor profile manifests a quintessential balance of fruity character and tartness along with oaky notes while the malt remains complementary. A truly one-of-a-kind easy drinking sour that delivers a complexity of flavors and aromas without the use of higher alcohol levels."
– Judge James Link
#12
97
Vintage 2015
"This is a very complex beer with lots going on. This is an excellent example of the complexities that can be found in a Flanders Red Ale, and I would highly recommend it to all lovers of sour beers and to those wine drinkers looking for a beer to fit their palate."
– Judge James Link
#11
97
Westmalle Dubbel
Brewery Der Trappisten Van Westmalle
"Dubbels are usually a bit lighter and more complex than other Belgian dark strong ales. This Dubbel has more than enough complexity. This is a complex beer, but the integration of the flavors gives it an elegant simplicity. This is clearly a Belgian beer, not as big as some, but more interesting than most."
– Judge Tom Cannon
#10
97
Ol' Oi
"Each sip of this lovely brew just draws you back in for more. Hints of light cherry esters shine throughout the aroma. This smooth yet sweet offering was perfectly balanced and absolutely delightful. This is a wonderful beer for the sour beer lover and a treat for any aspiring connoisseur."
-Judge Susan Ruud
#9
97
Wild Sour Series: Flanders Red
"This is a world-class Flanders Red despite hailing from the American Midwest. Sours can be challenging, and the Flanders Red particularly so given the kind of balance drinkers expect between fruit, acid and malt, but this one nails it. The bottom line here is that this is one of the best beers I’ve ever tasted from a commercial brewery. Try one – I feel very confident that you’ll come away impressed."
-Judge Josh Weikert
#8
97
Bouket
De Proef Brouwerij and Trillium Brewing Co.
"I believe this Belgian collaboration beer to almost flawless; I have not had a commercial beer this fresh or bright. The balance between the Brett character and the hops is excellent. Normally, I find Brett to be overdone in many beers; it tends to overtake the rest of the beer, but the brewers of this were able to restrain the Brett to a perfect degree, allowing the hops to shine bright. A near-perfect beer for any occasion."
– Judge Jason Johnson
#7
97
pFriem Wit
"All told, this is a wonderful example of a Witbier that delivers surprising complexity in a very quaffable package. If you seek a beer that delivers a lot without blowing out your palate with hops, make a bee line for this Witbier. It truly exemplifies the wonderful qualities of this unique Belgian-style beer."
-Judge John C. Tull
#6
97
Alexander
"I was very happy to be served this authentic Belgian beer and hope to be able to have more of it. To say this is a very solid Fruit Lambic is an understatement of how good I think it is. This beer blew me away -- all of its flavor components are spot-on, the balance is intricate and the experience of the beer as a whole was great."
– Judge Jason Johnson
#5
98
Rare Vos
"As expected of a Belgian pale ale, the flavor evinces a distinct spicy character, suggestive of clove and Tellicherry pepper, yet maintains an elegant Continental maltiness. The flavors come in waves, each complementing the next. This beer continually evolves in the glass, with each sip revealing another layer of complexity. A truly classic beer to be lingered over and enjoyed at one’s leisure. Too good to rush through, Rare Vos is the ideal cool weather tipple."
#4
98
Sorachi Ace
"As expected of a Saison, the flavors deftly balance the lush fruit and spice flavors with a soft, lightly sweet malt background. Across the board, the judges were effusive in their praise of this eminently quaffable brew. Experimental or not, it would appear that Brooklyn Brewery has a monster on its hands with Sorachi Ace."
#3
98
Oude Geuze Boon
"A one-of-a-kind style, Gueuze is a carbonated blend of aged and young Lambic. Its rustic flavors provide a window into Lambic's traditional fermentation environment. Highly carbonated, this example is cleansing and full of texture. It is difficult not to drink this Gueuze too quickly; to truly enjoy it is to witness it evolve over time. Typifying both art and craft, this Gueuze is wonderful."
– Judge Jim Koebel
#2
99
Hanssens Oude Kriek
"Hanssens has been producing some of the most widely acclaimed lambic, especially kriek and gueuze, in recent memory. All of the judges picked up on the beer’s age and offered comments on the depth and complexity that it lent the beer’s aromas and flavors. This is undoubtedly an epic brew that any self-respecting beer connoisseur should take great pains to acquire and – if possible – lay down for a while. It will be well worth the wait."
#1
99
Frambozen
"This is an amazing Belgian-style beer that has no problem expressing the raspberry fruit along with the wild side of yeast that makes for an incredible explosion of flavors and aromas. Do you like anything sour? How about fruit? Or are you not sure? If you said yes on any of those, find this beer and give it a try. This one is a world-class Fruit Lambic!"
-Judge John C. Tull