MdV: Merchant du Vin beer e-newsletter – Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006: Quick Beer Descriptions Part 1: Belgium

 

Lindemans lambics for Valentine’s Day!  Unique & delightful, just like your valentine:

www.merchantduvin.com/pages/1_about/lindemans_for_valentines_day_06.pdf

 

Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock bottles are available year-round in the US, but in the winter months – like now! – you can find it on draft:

www.merchantduvin.com/pages/1_about/Ayinger_Celebrator_Draft_06.pdf

 

Look for news about two new additions to our portfolio of fine beer . . . coming this spring!

 

Lindemans Lambic on Emeril’s Food Network Show!  Samuel Smith and Pinkus on WB News!  Ayinger in the New York Daily News, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the cover of the Celebrator Beer News: this month has seen an inordinate amount of fine beer coverage in the media; plus beer festivals, dinners, and events are offering beer lovers all across America a chance to discover the classic styles . . . Full national news & event listing at:

www.merchantduvin.com/pages/1_about/news.html

 

 

 

Beer Chat from the Beer Court Jester:  Quick descriptions for beers from Belgium

 

Beer flavors range widely, and it can be enjoyable to discuss nuances, hints of flavor and aroma.  But sometimes a retailer, server, or bartender is asked to describe a beer that they may not have had recently.  To help everybody buy & sell fine beer, here are some brief beer descriptions for beers from Belgium.  Look for descriptions for beers from Germany and the UK next month:

 

Lindemans Brewery, Vlezenbeek, Flanders, Belgium. Est. 1811 – producers of the best-selling lambic (wild-fermented) beers in America.  Unique to the beer world, lambic brewers add no yeast.

 

Framboise (“FRAM-BWAZ”): Pure raspberry flavor and aroma, supported by subtle tartness from complex spontaneous fermentation.

Peche: Rich peach bouquet and flavor.

Kriek: Black cherry, some tartness

Cassis: Black currants, beautiful purple color with pink head.

Gueuze (“GOO-ZA”):  Batch-blended with no fruit.  Complex, tart, quenching.

Cuvee Rene:  Hand selected, batch-blended, bottle-conditioned gueuze.  Tart, layered, acidic, & amazing.  For serious beer seekers.

 

Orval Trappist Brewery, Florenville, Wallonia, Belgium. Est. 1070 – one of the world’s seven Trappist breweries, made with in the walls of a Trappist (Cistercian) monastery.

 

Orval Trappist Ale: Dry, hugely effervescent, complex with a spicy, earthy note from a multi-strain fermentation. 

 

Westmalle Trappist Brewery, Malle, Flanders, Belgium.  Est. 1794 – one of the world’s seven Trappist breweries, made with in the walls of a Trappist (Cistercian) monastery.

 

Westmalle Trappist Dubbel: toffee & caramel flavors; medium body and a dry, fruity finish.

Westmalle Trappist Tripel: Rich malt sweetness and big body; firm bitterness to match; finish hints at candied orange and tropical fruit.

 

Rochefort Trappist Brewery, Rochefort, Wallonia, Belgium. Est. 1230 – one of the world’s seven Trappist breweries, made with in the walls of a Trappist (Cistercian) monastery.

 

Rochefort 8: Profound, deep, and velvety; notes of earth, figs, port wine, and chocolate; fruity, spicy finish.

Rochefort 10: Huge flavors of malt, spice and alcohol but perfectly balanced.  Notes of earth, leather, and fruit; “sauvage” or “excitingly wild.”

 

 

We have one other suggestion: if you are speaking to someone with vastly more beer knowledge than yourself, lighten the moment.  You’re safe making a completely outlandish but fun description like: “oh, that beer really reminded me of running naked through a field of flowers, with birds singing and a warm breeze blowing.”

 

Works every time.

 

Merchant du Vin, America’s Premier Specialty Beer Importer Since 1978

www.merchantduvin.com