Firstly, I think it is important to say that what beer in any given category is #1 is totally up to you. Opinions of quality are subjective and will not suggested. Everybody's taste perferences are different, but what we taste is a little more consistant. If beer A is sweeter to me than beer B, the same will probably hold true for you. Whether or not it's too sweet is another story.
Also, because humans inheriently want what they can't have, I have included at least one elusive beer in every tasting. You can get it, but you might have to try really hard. I have always felt the mystery of rare finds is part of what makes Belgian beer so much fun!
Lastly, because bottle conditioned beer evolves over time, and because not everybody strives to seek out refined details of flavor, these tasting notes have been kept general.

 

Saison - with Richie Stolarz, Tony Forder, Kurt Epps, and others
I specifically invited a few beer writers to this one cause I was feeling saison doesn't get it's fair shake. It is very difficult to define, but I think after a few good ones you can begin to see through the wide variety of flavor profiles and strenghts to grasp it's farmhouse origins. Tony is the editor of the Ale Street News and Kurt Epps is a free lance writer who is published nationally. Richie of course, God rest his soul, was a nothing short of a beer God.
Saison DuPont, Moinette, DuPont Bons Voeux, Vapeur En Folie, Saison Pipaix, Fantome, Silly, 1900, Regal, Saison d' Erezee and Saison d' Epeautre

Golden Ale - with Richie Stolarz
I was pretty sure the golden ales out there that were not Duvel were trying to duplicate Duvel. With all the devil names out there it is an easy misconception. Though there were some general consistancies in these 7 beers it was pretty easy to tell them apart. The odd ones out were Julius and the wonderful Hoegaarden Grand Cru.
Duvel, Hoegaarden Grand Cru, Lucifer, Delerium Tremens, Brigand, Julius and Straffe Hendrick

Vapeur En Folie - with John Hansell
I got a call from Chris Demitri from the Old Bay about an upcoming tasting. It was called "Single Malts & More", John Hansell of the Malt Advocate to be The Old Bay's guest speaker. Turns out the "& More" were 4 vintages of a saison from Brasserie A Vapeur, the makers of Saison Pipaix. This brewery is as untouched by time as any, a true farm house brewery making some of the most ecclectic and time-honored beer in Belgium. These were outstanding examples of the true spirit of Belgian beer.
VIntages 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995

Brown Ale - with Tim Schafer
What constitutes a brown ale is a bit gray. One of these beers is a saison, but the criteria of saison is so vast (still to very effervescent, sweetish to tart, weak to strong, dark to light) I felt comfortable including it. Also, one might argue that Scotch ale is it's own category. It is, but there are so few examples I feel grouping it with brown ales is appropriate. This was corraborated by it's flavor profile. Lastely, though I didn't think so when comparing it with oud bruins, one seemed to fit the oud bruin profile.
Duchesse de Bourgogne, Gouden Carolous (young & aged), Gildenbier, Scotch Silly, Verboden Vrucht, Enghien Brune, Moinette Bruin, Vondel.

Belgian Barley Wine - with Chris Demitri
Is this a style and if so what is it? Two beers listed below are clearly Trappist ales. I have included them because Trappist is not defined by the nature of the beer but by who brews it. All of these beers are 10% ABV or higher. If that don't define a barley wine I don't know what does!
Gouden Draak, Westveletren 12, Rochefort 10, Piraat, Bush de Noel. More was too dangerous!

Oud Bruin - with Bart Springer
This style is not an issue of color. I have learned over time that, except for lambics, oud bruin pretty much refers to all sour beers - brown and otherwise. This comparison contains 3 beauties not available in the US.
Goudenband, Petrus, Itchegem, Oud Zottegem, Felix, Vichtenaar, Bellegem Bruin and Rodenbach Red.

Future tastings...

Triple
Will include Westmalle, St. Paul, Affligem, Bornem, Brugse and Grimbergen

Witbier
Will include Hoegaarden, Blanche de Bruges, Blanche de Bruxells, Timmerman's Blanche Wit, Joseph Spelt Ale and Dentergem

Dubble
Will include Westmalle, St. Paul, Affligem, Bornem, Grimbergen and Ename


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