yum yum beer yummy yum_redux

So the IDEA was to give a quick run-down of my favourite beers in Belgium, since our first year here is around the corner, but as things happened, I ran out of time and just posted the 'group photo' of beers as an intro..

the backstory to this entry has been bubbling at the back of my head for quite some time now; I distinctly remember my first draft Belgian beer experience back in my Uni days in Perth, where I picked up my first freshly-scrubbed-glass of knife-sliced-head Belgian beer from the tap...and it's since been a constant part of my beer palate..

 

The beers I am showing below are by no means the only ones available; imagine my (happy) suprise when I saw that the beer section in the supermarket around the corner from our place has a (actually small) selection of 20 Belgian beers; that's excluding the Carlsbergs, the Guinesses and other foreign beers.. 

Also, I won't be giving 'hints of almond and chocolate'-type reviews...just what I like about each of them

so, in no particular order..

1) Duvel

this one is strong!  and it's got the reputation of being the beer that 2 bottles are enough for a night out...I almost never buy this now, mainly because I've since discovered other tastier brews; but it's nice with a burn-a-hole-in-your-tummy curry..

2) Leffe Bruin

This is my number 1 favourite beer!  It's dark, it's sweet, it's malty, it's heaven-in-a-glass!  and the best thing is; it's 70 euro cents per bottle (as are the other beers on this list actually..you only pay 1euro at the supermarket when its a triple beer or stronger)...

this was the beer that kick started my interest in Belgian beers...and those who are in the know, Oosters near China Square was where I got my occasional fix - and on tap no less!

3) Westmalle Dubbel

Trappist beers are strong: you can just about see that its 7% in the picture...this one is a new favourite of mine...sort of like the Leffe Bruin, but more kick...  

its a bit posh, but I actually pick out the beers that I feel like drinking when the mood is right (there are obviously more such guidelines; like 'summer beers' [like Hoegaarden] and fruit beers as a digestive)
4) Stella Artois

Ah yes, the Tiger beer of Belgium - a local once told me that it had the infamous reputation of the morning-after-headache-beer; and more interestingly, its brewed in Leuven: a University town!!  (probably testament to its enduring popularity with student types)..

I have to say (quite honestly) I only get this when I (sheepishly) feel like having a Tiger beer...
5) De Koninck

This is my new favourite; its an amber beer; so its got a darker colour than a pils (tiger, carlsber, stella, heineken) but its still got a light/refreshing taste..  What's more, it's a local brew (as in from Antwerp), so it's even more attractive to me! When the locals order it in a pub, they ask for a 'Bolleke' which is the half spherical glass which this is served in...

yum yum..

(i was even ambitious enough to want to do a day by day review of each beer, writing as I was sipping one of each of these...but as you can imagine, it was a bit hard to do this..so this is a sort of summary post)

Look out for the next yum yum review!  maybe salty snacks, or sweet stuff that goes on bread, or the weird and wonderful world of vegetables!