June/July 2012
Belgians

This issue's tasting investigates American-brewed, Belgian style beers. The Blue Monk made its private tasting room available, and generously provided samples of some stellar American brews inspired by European styles. If you frequent the Blue Monk, you will certainly have the chance to sample some of the storied brews from the new stars on the global stage, so check out their tap list often!

In attendance we had Vinny, Evill, Magistrate, Hop Jack, Swoop Jones, Rob, El Marko, Miche, Geoff, Bruja, Handy Man, and Opa.

This issue's tasting is testament to the great and growing Belgian and American tradition, as we were treated to 18 wonderful brews from both sides of the Atlantic.

The Place:
The Blue Monk

Guest Tasters:
In attendance were: Vinny, Evill, Lupulin Lush, Warren Beatty's Finger, Mensa Drop Out, Magistrate, Hop Jack, and RyeDog sitting in for Swoop Jones.

The Method:
Tasters are served each beer, with only the information of the style the brewery is emulating, when there is a style. The beer name and brewery are revealed to the tasters as each next blind round is served.

Rating System:
Our panel of experienced tasters participates in a blind tasting, knowing
only the style of beer they are sampling. The participants then give
their review and a rating according to style, as per below.

We include tasters who represent a broad spectrum of craft beer
drinkers—from home brewers to the average commercial American pilsner
drinker. While we will remind tasters of style guidelines, we also welcome and
encourage new interpretations of the classic old styles as the essence of the
craft beer scene.This method gives our readers different perspectives on the same beer
so they can perhaps compare it to other beers they know and make more informed drinking decisions.

The Pint Rating Scale

	would seek this one out
	would drink another one
	would finish it
	not drinkable

 

Upcoming Beacon Samplings & Submissions Calendar

ISSUE	STYLE	SUBMISSION ARRIVAL DATE	TASTING DATE
Apr/May	Irish Styles	March 5	March 7
Jun/Jul	Belgians	May 7	May 9
Aug/Sep	Pales, IPAs, Double IPAs	July 2	July 4
Oct/Nov	German Styles	September 3	September 5
Dec/Jan	Holiday Ales	November 5	November 7

 

The Beers:

Organic Apricot, Samuel Smith Old Brewery Samuel Smith Old Brewery High Street, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire LS24 9SB UK (607) 544-1800
	Vinny noted a pronounced peach & apricot nose. Handy Man said, "If Barbie could drink, this would be her beer." Geoff & Miche wanted this for breakfast with Eggs Benedict. Rob compared it to an orange Mimosa! Go for it girls!

Duchess de Bourgogne, Brouwerij Verhaeghe Brewery Beukenhofstraat 96 - 8570 Vichte Tel.: 32-(0)56 77 70 32
	Duchesse de Bourgogne (2.5 pints) El Marko found the balance good, but a tad too sweet. Vinny noted tart cherry with a very vinous character. Evill really dug this one and paired it with brie and stone ground crackers. Swoop found it to be similar to Liefmans Cuvée-Brut.

Sam Adams Stoney Brook Red, Boston Beer Company One Design Center, Suite 850, Boston, MA 617-368-5000
	Vinny found a light woody malt nose with moderate alcohol and a tasty spice and oaky body. Opa found this very drinkable. Bruja loved the nose and Rob loved the Old World style. Swoop paired this with Carbonnade Flamande and compared it to Duchesse de Bourgogne.

Pepe Nero, Goose Island Brewery 1800 West Fulton St., Chicago, IL 6061256 800-GOOSEME
	Vinny found a light woody malt nose with moderate alcohol and a tasty spice and oaky body. Opa found this very drinkable. Bruja loved the nose and Rob loved the Old World style. Swoop paired this with Carbonnade Flamande and compared it to Duchesse de Bourgogne.

Sam Adams 13th Hour, Boston Beer Company One Design Center, Suite 850, Boston, MA 617-368-5000
	Evill described it as a light bodied chocolate cherry cream and Rob noted currant undertones with nice depth. El Marko craved a slice of cheese cake alongside this one while Miche put it with Spicy Shrimp. Swoop compared it to a Blue Point Sour Cherry Stout.

Dark Hops, Beer Here Halmtorvet 29C, 3th København, 1700 Denmark telephone: +4560608986
	Vinny noted a big chocolatey hop nose with a rich espresso and English licorice body. Miche paired it with cheese after dinner, while Swoop swooned over this one and said it needed no food, was great all by itself. Evill compared this to Art of Darkness and says it burped up pretty good!

Sophie, Goose Island Brewery 1800 West Fulton St., Chicago, IL 6061256 800-GOOSEME
	Swoop called this a gold herbal potpourri in a glass and paired it with a goat cheese. Rob noted a great lemon edge and nice floral nose that would pair well with prosciutto and compared it to a Speedway Stout. El Marko compared it to Nils Oscar Imperial Stout.

Orval, Orval Brewery B-6823 Villers-devantOrval Telephone: +32 61 311 261
	Vinny loved the damp wood nose, woody body of dry flowers and nice hop finish. El Marko paired it with a crusty pot pie while Miche paired it with roasted chicken and corn bread stuffing. In a class all by itself. Drink and savor!

Existent Saison, Stillwater Artisanal Ales Baltimore, MD (443) 668-5255
	Vinny noted a roasty faint hop nose, with big coffee and a nice dry body. Rob described a complex smoky caramel undertone and paired it with veal medallions sautéed with a rich marinera and sweet peppers. Swoop compared it to Allagash Dubbel and Marko to Brooklyn Brewmasters Series.

Baudelaire IO Saison, Jolly Pumpkin Ales 3115 Broad Street Dexter, MI 48130 (734) 426-4962
	Evil said, "Guzzled it down, tastes like more!" Magistrate noted a very distinct floral aroma that translates cedar. Bruja noted a myrrh nose and Handy Man noted rose petals; Vinny noted violet spice. A whole lotta flowers going on. Rob paired this with an exuberant corn chowdah! Evil and Swoop compared it to Jolly Pumpkin La Roja.

Matilda, Goose Island Brewery 1800 West Fulton St., Chicago, IL 6061256 800-GOOSEME
	Magistrate said, "Very drinkable!" Miche said it was rich, smooth and best with savory crepes and Swiss cheese. Vinny said it had delicious sugary fruits and plums with a jammy alcohol finish; just do it! Rob said it was smooth from start to finish. Similar to Ommegang according to El Marko.

Sam Adams New World Tripel, Boston Beer Company One Design Center, Suite 850, Boston, MA 617-368-5000
	Magistrate said it has a rich, sweet Belgian flavor. Vinny called it airy, with a light fruit nose like a melted banana popsicle in a Belgian tripel. Rob would pair this with a grilled lamb chop and enjoyed the earthy liquor tone. Evill called it a nice kick in the jaw and compared it to a Heavy Seas Tripel.

 

 

--- by The Beer Diva, Beer Beacon columnist

Reviews Listed by Brewery
Archives
Taster Profiles

Comments on Beer Beacon should be directed to beerbeacon@brewingnews.com.

Copyright 2004-2011, Great Lakes Brewing News