Mmmmmm. Westy 12.

Posted at 5:37 pm by Patrick under Dublin + Belgium:2005

This is my reaction to the 2004 vintage of Westvleteren 12. Vinous, and robust, but has plenty or room to mellow some more.

I will be bringing this back for *sure*.

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20 years of Chimay

Posted at 4:03 pm by Patrick under Dublin + Belgium:2005

One of the special aspects of the Kulminator is their extensive beer cellar.

We ordered bottles of Chimay Blue from 2005, 1995 and 1985 to do a vertical tasting. Michael thought the 85 was thin-bodied, but still residualy sweet. It was remarkably well preserved for a 20-year old beer.

The 95, according to Mark, had a nuttiness that the 85 had lost. The hoppiness was still more present, but less so than the 05.

The 05, while a great beer in its own right, was immature in comparison to the other two.

Having the chance to taste them all side by side is a rare treat which I will remember for a while.

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Bolleke!

Posted at 2:13 pm by Patrick under Dublin + Belgium:2005

We are now at the world-famous Kulminator in Antwerpen, and starting off with a local specialty — a bolleke.

The term is used to describe both the serving size (25cl) and the process by which the beer is served. A shot of brewer’s yeast is added to each glass to add “health benefits” and slight tang. If you are really bold, you can even order the yeast shot on the side and drink it separately. You would definitely earn a few cool points for pulling that one off.

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Belgica 101: Fruit Beers

Posted at 9:08 am by Patrick under Dublin + Belgium:2005

For those of you who like a lighter palette with your beer drinking fun, then try one of the wide variety of fruit-based lambic beers on the market.

Pictured here are the Timmermans line of fruit beers: Kriek (cherry), Peche (peach), and Agru’m (mystrey mix of citrus fruits???). Oh, and they are cheap too — 1.20 each.

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Trappist beers at the grocery

Posted at 9:02 am by Patrick under Dublin + Belgium:2005

We stopped at Carrefour (the French version of Wal-Mart) in Mechelen to get some water, snacks and other road food.

Along the back wall of the store stood cases of great beers for very little cash. To wit, this case of Westmalle Dubbel goes for 23 Euros, plus deposit for the bottles. At that price, it would be tough to not have some in the fridge at all times.

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