Belgium is probably the only country in the world to offer such a diversity of beers so different from one another: from the lambics of the Senne valley to spiced witbiers, by way of the tart beers of Flanders that develop, in huge wooden barrels, a character close to wine. A quick tour of the great families.
1. Oud Bruin / Flanders Red
4.8 to 6.5% ABV
Light to medium body, copper to brown colour, marked by a sour taste — light to strong — sometimes balanced by a certain acidity in the “red” versions. Fruity character, no hop aromas, low bitterness. The brewer blends “old” and “young” beer to create a balanced product.
Examples: Liefmans Goudenband, Liefmans Oud Bruin, Ichtegems Oud Bruin, Riva Vondel, Bellegems Bruin, Rodenbach Grand Cru, Duchesse de Bourgogne.
2. Double / Dubbel
6.2 to 7.5% ABV
Medium body, red to dark brown colour, marked by a malty sweetness and notes of caramel and chocolate. Medium bitterness, dense head.
Examples: Westmalle Dubbel, St. Bernardus Pater 6, La Trappe Dubbel, Corsendonk Pater, Grimbergen Double, Affligem Dubbel, Chimay Rouge, Pater Lieven Bruin, Duinen Dubbel, St. Feuillien Brune.
3. Triple / Tripel
7.0 to 10.0% ABV
Medium body, blonde colour, complex aromas that are slightly fruity and sometimes spicy. Medium to high bitterness, a clear perception of alcohol, dense head.
Examples: Westmalle Tripel, La Rulles Triple, St. Bernardus Tripel, Chimay Cinq Cents, Watou Tripel, Val-Dieu Triple, Affligem Tripel, Grimbergen Tripel, Witkap Pater Tripel, Corsendonk Agnus, St. Feuillien Triple.
4. Blonde
6.0 to 7.8% ABV
Light to medium body, blonde to golden colour, fruity, spicy and sweet notes. Low but perceptible bitterness.
Examples: Leffe Blonde, Affligem Blonde, Grimbergen Blonde, Val-Dieu Blonde, Straffe Hendrik Blond, Brugse Zot, Pater Lieven Blond.
5. Pale Ale
4.0 to 6.0% ABV
Light to medium body, light to dark amber colour, slightly fruity notes. Low but perceptible bitterness.
Examples: De Koninck, Palm Speciale, Palm Dobbel, Ginder Ale, Speciale Op-Ale 1832.
6. Strong blonde
7.0 to 11.0% ABV
Light, dry body, blonde to golden colour, complex fruity notes. Medium bitterness. Easy to drink despite the high alcohol.
Examples: Duvel, Hapkin, Lucifer, Brigand, Judas, Delirium Tremens, Dulle Teve, Piraat.
7. Strong dark
7.0 to 11.0% ABV
Medium to full body, amber to dark brown colour, complex fruity notes and light roasted touches. Low to medium bitterness. Easy to drink despite the alcohol.
Examples: Westvleteren 12, Rochefort 8 & 10, St. Bernardus Abt 12, Achel Extra Brune, Chimay Grande Réserve, Abbaye des Rocs Grand Cru, Gulden Draak, Kasteelbier Bière du Château Donker.
8. Witbier
4.8 to 5.2% ABV
Light to medium body, milky straw colour, spiced notes. Low bitterness. Brewed with a portion of unmalted wheat (responsible for the haze) and spices (crushed coriander, bitter orange peel).
Examples: Hoegaarden Wit, St. Bernardus Blanche, La Caracole Troublette, Brugs Tarwebier, Wittekerke, Lefebvre Blanche de Bruxelles, Du Bocq Blanche de Namur.
9. Lambic
5.0 to 6.5% ABV
Light, dry body, blonde to amber colour, very fruity notes, a sour and sometimes acidic taste. Very low bitterness. Fermentation and maturation in oak casks; the final fizz depends on the residual sugars present at bottling.
Examples: Boon, Cantillon, Drie Fonteinen, Lindemans, Girardin.
10. Gueuze
5.0 to 8.0% ABV
Light, dry body, light golden to light amber colour, very fruity notes, a sour and acidic taste. Very low bitterness. The brewer blends lambics of 1, 2 and 3 years to create a balanced character. Strong carbonation.
Examples: Boon Oude Gueuze, De Cam Gueuze, Drie Fonteinen Oud Gueuze, Cantillon Gueuze, Hanssens Oude Gueuze, Lindemans Gueuze, Girardin Gueuze, Oud Beersel Oude Gueuze, Tilquin Gueuze à l’Ancienne.
11. Fruit lambic
5.0 to 7.0% ABV
Light, dry body, colour depending on the fruit added, fruit notes and a sour taste coming from the fermentation as well as from the fruit macerated in the one-year lambic. Very low bitterness, maturation in stainless steel, strong carbonation.
Examples: Boon Kriek Mariage Parfait, Boon Oude Kriek, Cantillon Fou’ Foune (apricot), Cantillon Kriek, Cantillon Lou Pepe Kriek, Cantillon Lou Pepe Framboise, Cantillon Rosé de Gambrinus, Cantillon St. Lamvinus (Merlot grape), Cantillon Vigneronne (Muscat grape), De Cam Oude Kriek, Drie Fonteinen Kriek, Girardin Kriek, Hanssens Oude Kriek, Oud Beersel Kriek, Oude Quetsche Tilquin à l’Ancienne.
12. Table beer
0.5 to 3.5% ABV
Light body, very pale to very dark colour, hoppy aromas and a very low alcohol level. Low bitterness, low to medium carbonation.
Examples: Gigi Double Blonde, Piedboeuf Blonde.
13. Saison
4.5 to 8.5% ABV
Light to medium body, golden to amber colour, complex fruity, spicy and hoppy notes, sometimes a slight acidity. Medium to strong bitterness, strong carbonation.
Examples: Saison Dupont Vieille Provision, Fantôme Saison, Saison de Pipaix, Saison Regal, Saison Voisin, Lefebvre Saison 1900, Saison Silly.
