BEER lovers

[Maks]

Originally Posted by cma29

I had a Domaine DuPage tonight. It's an excellent French Style Ale that goes well with food.

That's made not too far from where I grew up. A pretty good brewery.

[cma29]

Originally Posted by Maks

That's made not too far from where I grew up. A pretty good brewery.

I first had this beer along with a couple of pork belly tacos at Big Star in Wicker Park (Chicago). I took a picture of it and was finally able to find it at the local store where I live now.

[Maks]

Originally Posted by cma29

I first had this beer along with a couple of pork belly tacos at Big Star in Wicker Park (Chicago). I took a picture of it and was finally able to find it at the local store where I live now.

That's cool to see they're getting distribution outside of Chicago. Big Star is a great spot too!

[custodian]

Fresh delivery from Belgium including some of the Westvleteren 12 gold top, bottled 2 July so just about ready to drink starting tonight. Also some of the 8 and some of the blonde. A few other goodies including Chimay, Orval and StBernardus and a couple of new beers that I haven't tried before.

It could be a long night although I expect the stereo will sound better and better as the evening progresses







[/IMG]

[dhizzle]

Originally Posted by custodian

Fresh delivery from Belgium including some of the Westvleteren 12 gold top, bottled 2 July so just about ready to drink starting tonight. Also some of the 8 and some of the blonde. A few other goodies including Chimay, Orval and StBernardus and a couple of new beers that I haven't tried before. It could be a long night although I expect the stereo will sound better and better as the evening progresses [/IMG]

IMO, Westvleteren 12 is one of the best beers in the world. You would never know how high the alcohol content was by how smooth and overall balanced it is. It is very hard to find here and expensive but definitely worth it for special occasions. I love the long lingering brown/maple sugar aftertaste it leaves. Rochefort 10 is also good and more readily available.

[custodian]

Originally Posted by dhizzle

IMO, Westvleteren 12 is one of the best beers in the world. You would never know how high the alcohol content was by how smooth and overall balanced it is. It is very hard to find here and expensive but definitely worth it for special occasions. I love the long lingering brown/maple sugar aftertaste it leaves. Rochefort 10 is also good and more readily available.

There might be a better beer somewhere in the world but I haven't found it. The depth, balance and complexity of flavour is very special. Supply is a huge problem. Apart from very occasional shipments to North America, the only way to get it is to phone the monastery in Flanders and get an appointment (far from easy) and then turn up at the prearranged time to buy one or maybe two wooden cases of the 12. The Westvleteren 8 ( some say the better of the two)can be bought more easily at the cafe across from the monastery in a 6 pack.

I've tried to learn some of the background to the production of Belgian beer. It's been an interesting study, helped by sampling the beers as I learn about their origins.

For me, after Westvleteren which is the top beer, I enjoy Chimay, St Bernardus and Westmalle. Or all is highly regarded but it has a touch of bitterness that is not to my taste.

[custodian]

I was in Belgium on Sunday, driving through on the way to skiing holiday in Austria (if the snow ever gets here)

Stooped at the cafe next to the Westvleteren brewery. As usual, 12 was sensational. At lunch we finished off with home made ice cream made with the 12.

Evening in Ghent. Started with some Gruut as a gentle intro then onto Rochefort 8 which I must say was quite delicious with a richness that was special.

I'll be driving back through Ghent in the New Year so getting my beer shopping list ready. I've found a beer store that carries a lot of the really difficult to get bottles.

Here in Austria main beer is Zillerbier which is awful.

[bigblue]

Just got back from Belgium where I got the opportunity to get hold of this. It is said to be good


The hand made wooden cradles add to the experience.



I think I will have my first tomorrow.

[Mikado463]

Utica Club Pilsner, a good honest American Pilsner.

Does anybody remember the names of their 'talking beer steins' ?

[custodian]

Originally Posted by bigblue

Just got back from Belgium where I got the opportunity to get hold of this. It is said to be good The hand made wooden cradles add to the experience. I think I will have my first tomorrow.

It is an excellent beer. Some advice:
Store at 12 C and drink somewhere between 12 and 16. Far more flavour comes through at these higher temperatures.

If you want something very similar but much easier to find, try St Bernardus ABT. This brewery has close links with the Westvleteren brewery and during refurbishment at the abbey, the Westvleteren was brewed at the St Bernardus brewery.

Best beer store we have found is Hopduvel in Ghent which has a great selection (although not of course Westvleteren)

Hope that helps