Belgian Beer List
Belgian Ales on Draft
Hoegaarden White-14 oz/28 oz $6.5/$12
The original Belgian White Ale, top fermented and completely unfiltered, this beer has no hops in the finish. Instead it is preserved using coriander and Curacao orange peel. With its distinctive hazy pale yellow color, Hoegaarden is very appealing. Decidedly interesting and refreshing
4.8%/vol.
Lindeman’s Lambic rotating flavors -8 oz $6.5
Like a fine Spumanti, this is a beer to celebrate with. Quite sweet and cidery, Lindeman’s wheat beer is naturally fermented using wild yeast. After fermentation it is then barrel aged with selected fruit. A perfect aperitif or dessert!
5.5%/vol.
Chimay “White Label”-10 oz / Trappist $7.5
This triple is golden, strong, effervescent and full of fruit, spice and everything nice. You’ll find it to be a bit drier than others in its class with Champagne-like carbonation. Chimay is a true pleasure from the tap and was certainly worth the wait for the draught version.
8.0%/vol.
Belgian Ales
Bottle-Conditioned
Bavik Pilsner-11.2 oz$5
Soft and satisfying, this lager posses a very light golden color, nice creamy white head and round flowing lacing on the glass. The nose is clearly oxidized Saaz hops, the mouth is full of nice fresh grain and the finish is dry.
5.0%/vol.
Caracole Amber-11.2 oz$5.5
This Belgian amber is a very drinkable yet quite complex artisanal ale with a light sienna color. You’ll find suggestions of a floral wheatiness in the mouth and the spicy, sweet aromas will leave you wanting more. A full yeast bitterness rounds it off in the finish.
7.2%/vol.
Corsendonk Pater - Abbey Brown-11.2 oz $5.5
In the glass you’ll enjoy a gorgeous ruddy-ruby color. The waft gives you spice-cake, port, pepper and a touch of smokiness. The flavor is traditional for the style with raisins and chocolate. Even with this sensory mouthful, the beer finishes soft and airy. Enjoy for a light dessert!
8.0%/vol.
Troubador Blonde-11.2 oz $5.5
Start with a rocky head and notice the floral honey aroma with a hint of citrus. During your first sip enjoy the candy sugar and a delightfully unique yeast profile. In the finish appreciate the earthy spiciness which keeps the sweetness in check. This is a lovely Belgian Pale, enjoy it when you can!
6.5%/vol
Monk’s Café Flemish Brown-8.4 oz $6.5
The Van Steenberge Brewery has recently begun labeling it’s famous ‘Vlaamse Bourgogne’ under the Monk’s Café label. The Flemish Burgundy is an “old brown” in style, aged in oak, and has been brewed continuously for over 300 years. With a murky rust-brown hue and a plenty of carbonation, the waft is wonderfully tart with a sour cherry aroma. In the mouth, cherries, sour green grapes, hints of vanilla & oak come forth, especially in the finish. A fine example and eminently drinkable.
5.1%/vol.
Popering Hommel-11.2 oz $7.5
What makes it special is of course the Belgian yeast, what makes it unique is the higher amounts of hops used. A nose like a bouquet of roses laced with honey notes, and a spicy dry finish. Wow, I want one right now!
7.5%/vol.
Brasserie des Rocs Triple Imperial-11.2 oz $7.5
Brewed by one of the only female brew masters in Belgium, this triple is a doozy! Fruit comes in at the top with apricot and pear. Caramel’s next, which fades into a biting alcohol finish that carries with it a subtle peppery spiciness. The finish is luscious, reminiscent of butter cream.
10.0%/vol.
Orval - Trappist-11.2 oz$8.5
Sitting calm under the explosive bottle conditioned cap of foam, this Belgian treat has the hue of unfiltered honey and loads of complexity including hints of lemon, orange and some floral accents. The yeast used is a symbiosis of 10 strains that consumes sugars other yeasts are unable to digest. This process results in a leathery aroma with a smooth vanilla character which plays down the hops a little. Orval finishes, though with a surprisingly assertive bitter herbal hoppiness.
6.2%/vol.
Oud Beersel Gueze-12.7 oz$8.5
Essentially a one man operation, the brewery has been producing very fine Lambics since the 1800’s. This unfruited example gains its unique character from spontaneous fermentation (airborne yeast). Artful aging and blending harmonize to create this wheaten ale with an amazing dry, tart and nearly bitter lemon pith finish.
6.0%/vol.
St. Bernardus Abt 12-11.2 oz$8.5
Almost ebony in color but if you look closely you’ll notice tiny dark yeast flakes swirling about in a dance of suspension. If your nose gets close it will be hit with the aroma of fresh bread, cocoa and even tobacco. Only the flavor will “one-up” the aroma with that of rum, raisins, figs and even coconut cavorting about. Yum.
10.0%/vol.
What’s With The Belgian Beers?
The respect one finds for fine wine in most countries is in Belgium, accorded to its beers. No other country has so many distinct native styles. No other country has beers so complex in character as the finest in Belgium. No other country has as many breweries per capita. Nor does any other country have such a sophisticated “beer cuisine” surrounding its brewer’s gift.
The spontaneously fermenting “wild” Lambic beers brewed outside of Brussels represent a unique tradition found only in Belgium. So do the tart, acidic “sour” brown beers of Flanders. Belgium’s spiced “white” beers predate the general acceptance of hops as the universal preservative of beer. No other country has as many “Methode Champenoise” beers, in which an additional dosage of yeast or blending of young and mature beers introduces a second fermentation in the bottle. No other country has persisted with the use of fruits, spices, herbs and candy sugar in their beer. Lastly, Belgium is the only country that produces Trappist Ales and has kept the fine art of monastic brewing alive on a commercial scale.
In the United States and particularly the Pacific Northwest we are well into the third decade of our beer revolution. Gone are the days of little variety from huge producers. We have wonderful beer to drink that is always readily available. Yet, for the beer renaissance to continue we must expand the horizons of our palates and allow our tastes to evolve. Studying the styles, flavors, techniques, and brewing traditions of other regions will open our eyes to a vast new world of beers which our revolution has only begun to experiment with.
Here at the Old Town Alehouse we are proud to offer a glorious collection of a few of Belgium’s finest beers. Three of these fine examples are even available on draught. We attempt to keep offerings available from a few of the world’s six Trappist Breweries. Belgian beers are a gift from the past and a prize to behold. Enjoy!