Belgian Strong Beers

Back in the 15^th century, the Monks around Europe thought ”beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy”, who then turns water into beer.  Err, that’s mostly right, only it’s the yeast which turns water into beer. Not only does the yeast ferment the brew into alcohol, the by-products of which can impart a huge amount of flavour as exemplified by the Belgian strong ales.

Chimay is the leading brewer of the 8 genuine Trappist Monk Brewers in Belgium and brews the ‘Triple’ 8%.  This brew produces a prodigious foamy white head over a liquid the colour of the label. Its creamy effervescence imparts a spicy heat of nutmegs and pears, with a yeasty bitterness balanced with nutty malts. Swirl the bottle before pouring to get more flavoursome bits floating in your beer other than your liver.

The Chimay ‘Blue’ is same as the Triple only way darker and another level deeper in intriguing complexity. Notes of stewed plums, raisins and cloves complement rich warming caramel malts. With 9% it’s a beer to be sipped savoured and satiated.

Another of these living brews is 2013 world ale winner ‘Gulden Draak’ from Van Steenberge. Fruity on the tongue with strong malt toffee sweetness balanced with hoppy whiskey like bitterness and full body barrel aged woodiness.  Don’t serve chilled as you won’t appreciate its myriad of flavours.  This guy is a head wobbler, either from the 10.5% alcohol or from just shear enjoyment.

One of the few remaining historic Belgium beers is the ‘Kwak’. Beautiful deep bright amber colour with a creamy tan head and a spicy malt aroma. Tastes like caramel rum sauce over bananas with a background yeastiness to keep it mildly bitter. You can feel the liquid trundling all the way down from the 8.4% kicking in. A real Christmas kwacker!

Finally, from the small French town of Vieux Lille is a beer ‘Vieux Lille Triple Blonde’, that’s sure to arouse all an 8.5% triple blonde can arouse.

There is no strong beer, just weak men.

Denis hoppy-hoppy joy-joy Cooper