Zach is still hungry

Summer. I love summer. I love love love love love love summer. Now that winter is finally over in Colorado, I find it more than compelling to have the season of summer speak with its very loud and perfect voice. Enough pensive adoration of the sun! ON TO THE BEER!

The Belgians, a relationship that I can only describe as mysterious. One minute you can sing their praises and the next be totally unimpressed with their offerings. Summer is the time for Wheat Beers to take their place and remind us that winters cold breath doesn’t need quenching with an IPA, the summer requires the delicate breath that only a Belgian Ale can give us. Ironically my last deep journey went to the Duvel and now I find myself absolutely enamored with the sweet-sour palette dance of Maredsous.

I really don’t know what to say about this particular brew outside of what you don’t know, WHICH IS EVERYTHING! MUAHAHAHHAHA!

Put that awful New Belgian swill down the drain and find yourself a liquor store that has the inventory prepared to enlighten you.

This pretty little ditty rings in at 10% ABV and is of the Tripel variety. Crafted by some of the most patient brewers I have ever known, the gentlemen at Duvel Moortgat have really done something with a belgian ale that I really didn’t know was possible. They infused mystery into the full bodied potpourri of the this delightful Tripel. It sings of summer fruits and fields warm and healthy with sunshine and overrun with the sugars of land never marred by industrialization or abused to bear more then they should.

The Beer Advocate had this to say about my dear Maredsous Tripel, the fools. Seriously can you even grade something so heavenly? Could you really be bright enough to fully appreciate something like this? I’m not, and therefore neither are they.

Oh wild flavors of some other land, oh sweet yeast and fruit of the field in a land that I don’t know. Your mouth is ready to be reborn into a new and full life, let the sweetest form of summer accompany you in this season.

Raise your glasses friends, Cheers.

Zach

Belgian beer is still a mystery. The sweet crispness of the Duvel is like sevral things I have had before and yet something entirely new. There is quite a bit going on as soon as the opaque golden liquid hits your palette. And the famously wild fragrances accompanied by fruit flavors suddenly transport you across the sea.

There are many sour notes that really punch up the flavor and leave your mouth with a clean feeling fresh and the lacing on the glass invites you to return to the cool treat time after time.

This special brew is not to be missed.

Zach

Who are you?

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That’s right the holidays are here and, Lord help us all, the drinks are flowing. I asked for the wonderful assistance of my good friend, Dave Hilgier, once again to join me for a tasting of winter seasonal brews only. The appeal for this occasion was the unique chance to judge the best tasting winter ale. To my surprise, the winter seasonal brews are almost entirely comprised of ales. There were a few porters on shelves but we figured for the sake of standards that selecting one type of beer for blind tasting would be best.
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There are a lot of strange things about the Pils that truly identifies it as a class all its own. The Beer’s brewing history and process truly add the proto nature of its form and flavor. And when I say proto, I merely mean that its a Beer that hearkens back to simpler times, ingredients and methods of making alcohol. (more…)