Taproom Talk

There’s something to be said for chanting. That is, chanting and making beer or cheese or chocolate. These are some of the practices of monks. I understand why the brothers of a monastery must keep a vow of silence. There are secret recipes and such that can’t just go wondering off! I have no doubt that some of the best beer in the world is made in small batches by the holiest of holy. In this case the monk’s of Belgium have a strong ale that yet brings us closer to God.

In this style of reverent drink, I got my hands on a bottle of Westmalle trappist. It’s golden in color, yeasty with a light crisp taste and a lemon peel zest, undeniably delicious. Very crisp, clean, almost like a champagne, it has a tangy aftertaste; a tart finish. At first the fruitiness is like a green apple, but it changes to the tender sweetness like a red apple near the end. There is the subtle underlying aroma of fresh bread.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If this is my calling; if this is my vocation, then I am ready to serve. 1 ticket to Belgium, one-way, please. Amen.

With a mysterious sobriquet like Slaapmustske, one expects a phenomenal beer with exotic tastes fit for only the most refined among beer snobs (even those living in Tennessee). Being of such esteemed position, I approached the brewsky, obviously not meant for the simple bourgeoisie and found myself unable to disagree. This fine beer poured with a huge white head that produced an elegantly spicy nose with an pleasurable hoppiness quite similar to a Belgian blonde– in fact, much like that of the Leffe (which, by the way, that cloudiness has lots of Vitamin B). Indeed, this brew’s aromatic nose was a guarantee that I was going to enjoy this brewsky. Its color was a quite cloudy dark blonde hue and its taste was peppery, yet not too harsh, much like a fine potpourri. It had a refined spiciness to it that was complemented by hoppy overtones with a slight taste decribed maybe as grassy. As I stroked my goatee whilst imbibing this fine Slaapmustske, I found myself enjoying this drinking jubilee and am left to decree: the Slaapmustske is one heck of a brewsky!

Here are pictures.  Check back for a podcast from the event.

Cuvee Diabolique is brewed by De Proef Brouwerij Lochristi-Hijfte, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium. I bought it in a cork topped 750ml bottle. A fragrant nose of apple and pear greeted me as I poured this Belgian Ale into a sculpted glass. A thick, tall, white head appeared. My first sip tarnished my impression with a sour and tart taste. I want to call the tasting off, but I forge on.

There is a gingery, creamy body to this beer, but the mild but acidic bite and after taste ruins it for me. I’m not a big fan of the overall grapefruit taste this beer offers. Cuvee Diabolique has a lot in common with a hefeweizen, which I do enjoy occasioanally, but doesn’t happen to be one of my favorites.

Light, for the most part, and pleasant, this beer has nothing going on to deserve the name, Diabolique. Might I suggest, Cuvee Dubious.

White bottle. Pink Elephant. No, I’m not having an LSD flashback, I’m drinking a fine Belgian Ale: Delirium Tremens. Brewed by the Huyghe Brewery, which has been around since the 17^th century, this gold ale bursts with flavor. While it has a lofty 8.5% alcohol content, you wouldn’t know it from its taste. This sweet ale has subtle hints of grapes and apples with a nice bitter bite, which doesn’t come across too strongly in taste or aroma.

Don’t let the fantasia-like images on the bottle fool you either- this is a serious beer, which was proudly dubbed the best beer in the world in 1997. Also note- this is a bottle fermented beer so don’t run away if you see floaties – that’s yeast, which provides an excellent yeasty taste with a light white head.

This is a great beer- just be careful not to drink too much- you may end up with alcohol withdrawal or delirium tremens.