Thursday, April 23, 2009

Post-Belgium: Man it was delicious



Anyways, here are a few of my favorite beers from the trip.


Saison De L'Epeautre
Brasserie de Blaugies
Saison / Farmhouse Ale

A- / 4.1
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 4.5

Picked up a 375 cl at the Hopduvel in Ghent. The cashier asked me where I found this beer. I guess its not a popular option, but it should be. My first reaction was that it was like Saison Dupont, but thin I realized it also have creamy vanilla flavors and notes like Duvel. Damn, this beer is good. It was a bit of a foamer when I took the cork out, but once settled it has an appropriate carbonation level and is easy drinking. This is a perfect example of a lower alcohol saison. Drink this if you can find it.


Bracia
Thornbridge Hall Country House Brewing Company
American Double / Imperial Stout

A- / 4.2
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | drink: 4

The honey and hazelnuts are obvious in the aroma and flavor. While chocolate roast and cocoa dominate the flavor. Yum Appears pitch black with a milk chocolate head. There's a long, espresso aftertaste. Hot damn, this is good beer. There's a paler malt notes that pop up in the aftertaste, but there's a whole lot of roasted malt going on that dives into roast chestnuts, honey, and spicy British hops. Delicious.


Oude Gueuze
Hanssens Artisanaal bvba
Gueuze

A- / 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 4

Had a bottle in Ghent and was quite pleased. Poured a hazy amber gold and thick white head. The big character here is the toasted oak barrel flavor. After that is more of typical (of great oude guezes) ripping sour tang that hits the back of your cheekbones with lemon, lime, and earthy spice. Delicious. I'll have another.


Oude Kriek De Cam
De Cam Geuzestekerij
Lambic - Fruit

A / 4.3
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 4.5

Ordered a bottle at the Waterhuis in Ghent. Damn, this might be the best kriek I've ever had. Not overly funky, but interesting and with a long, dry sour cherry flavor. It's a pleasant mustiness, that for whatever reason reminds me of cobwebs and cellars before the tangy cherries kick in. Definitely find this beer if you're in Belgium.


Sussex Best Bitter
Harvey & Son Ltd.
English Bitter

A- / 4.1
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 4.5

Had a half pint on cask at The Harp near Trafalgar Square. This was one of my favorite real ales while in London for a week. It was a mixture of floral hops and oak with a fruit punch aroma at first. Then I started to pull cherry juice flavor with dry wheat cracker in the background and a note of blueberry in the aroma. Delicious.

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