At Taste of Belgium, we’re all about sharing beautiful moments that unite people, whether it’s over a serving of our famous Liège waffles or a sip of carefully chosen beer. Hosting a Belgian beer tasting at home is a fun way to share the vibrant flavors we celebrate in our brasseries.
We’ve been serving Belgian-inspired beers since we opened our doors back in 2007, and we can’t wait to share tips with you on how to create an unforgettable tasting experience within your walls. From picking the perfect beers to setting the right mood, here’s how we’d do it.
The History Behind Belgian Beer
Trappist monks have been brewing beer for centuries, and modern classics like Orval and Chimay still carry that legacy forward, honoring age-old traditions while embracing modern brewing techniques. Today, there are 11 officially recognized Trappist breweries around the world, with five to six located in Belgium, depending on licensing. Beers like Westmalle and Orval are celebrated for their depth, balance, and craftsmanship.
Beyond Trappist ales, Belgium offers a rich tapestry of beer styles, from the earthy, dry notes of Saisons to the wild, tart character of Lambics and the history-rich Abbey brews. Belgian beer is a celebration of both heritage and creativity, spanning from bold IPAs to funky, spontaneously fermented sours. At Taste of Belgium, we proudly serve selections from independent breweries, including Duvel 6.66, bursting with citrusy brightness, and La Chouffe, a golden ale with just the right touch of spice. Curious to try them? Browse our beer menu and explore the flavors of Belgium.
How to Set Up the Ultimate At-Home Tasting
A Great Beer tasting is more than just the beer, it’s about the experience. Here’s how we set the stage at Taste of Belgium, and how you can too:
- Glassware 101: The right glass brings out a beer’s best qualities. Use tulip glasses for aromatic beers like La Chouffe to trap those fruity, spicy notes. A chalice works wonders for rich, malty brews like St. Bernardus 12, and a pint glass is just right for crisp options like Baptist Wit. Short on specialty glasses? Small wine glasses will do in a pinch.
- Serving Temperature: Belgian beers aren’t meant to be ice-cold. Keep the temperature right for the best flavour. Serve crisp beers like Baptist Wit at 40–45°F, hoppy ones like our TOB IPA at 45–50°F, and rich, malty beers like St. Bernardus 12 at 50–55°F. Remove the bottles from the fridge 10 minutes before you pour.
- Proper Pour technique: Tilt your glass to 45 degrees, pour slowly to get a nice foamy head, then straighten up to finish. Aim for about an inch of foam—it lets the aromas pop. Want a visual? Check out this quick video on pouring.
- Create the Vibe: Pair your beers with Belgian snacks that complement their flavours. Our Liège waffles—dense, doughy, and studded with caramelised pearl sugar are a crowd-pleaser. Add a cheese board with Gouda or brie, or try our flank steak sliders from our catering menu. For music, we love a mix of Belgian pop like Jacques Brel or some mellow jazz to keep the mood warm and inviting.
Build Your Belgian Beer Flight with ToB Favorites
At Taste of Belgium, Belgian beer styles range from crisp and refreshing to bold and complex. For your home tasting, we suggest a four-beer flight that hits all the right notes:
- Baptist Wit: This one’s light, zesty, and super easy to sip. Brewed with hints of citrus, it’s a great way to start your tasting.
- TOB IPA: It delivers fruity hops with a balanced bitterness and a smooth finish, easy to enjoy even for IPA newcomers.
- Malt/Rich: St. Bernardus 12, now we’re getting into the good stuff. This luxurious quadrupel is packed with caramel, dried fruits, and a rich malt. Pour one and get lost in its rich, velvety depths.
- Tart/Sour: Rodenbach, a Flemish red ale with tart cherry and subtle oak flavours for a tangy finish.
Our tip? Pour into small 4–6 oz glasses to keep servings manageable, and label each beer with a little card to avoid confusion. Pair with our Liège waffles or frites from our menu to bring the brasserie home. If you love our in-house “Belgian 101” flight, this lineup is a great way to recreate it.
Taste Like a Pro: What to Look, Smell, and Sip For
When it comes to Savouring Belgian beer, we at Taste of Belgium think it’s all about soaking yourself in the experience. Each beer tells a story, and noticing its look, smell, and flavor helps you experience it fully.
Here’s how we’d analyse it based on its looks, smell, and taste.
- Appearance: Pick up your glass and hold it to the light. Is it bright and refreshing like Baptist Wit, or dark and complex like St. Bernardus 12? Check out the colour of the foam and how long it sticks around. They give you a pretty good idea.
- Aroma: Before you take that first sip, give your glass a gentle swirl to wake up the beer’s aromas. Then take a good sniff of your beer. You may pick up on some sweet malt, some fruity flavours like apple or banana, or perhaps some spiciness coming from the yeast. Rodenbach has this tart cherry aroma that you can’t ignore.
- Flavor: Sip a little and let it sit on your tongue. Is it bitter, sweet, or just right? Our TOB IPA may pack a hoppy punch, but Baptist Wit is light and citrusy. See if the flavour lingers or disappears in an instant.
Want to make it fun? Pick up a tasting sheet or heat an app like Untappd to write down what you have to say and compare with your buddies. It’s a nice way to make your beer tasting an interaction.
Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
We’ve seen a few tastings go off the rails, so here’s how to keep yours on track:
- Overchilling the Beer: Freezing beer hides its flavours. Stick to the serving temperatures we mentioned earlier.
- Not cleansing the palate: Between beers, sip water or munch on plain crackers to clear your taste buds. Our Liège waffles are too flavourful for this role, but they’re perfect as a pairing.
- Starting Heavy: High-ABV beers like McChouffe can overpower early sips. Begin with lighter beers like Baptist Wit and build up.
- Skipping Food Pairings: Don’t let the beer stand alone. Pair with our scratch-kitchen flank steak sliders or a simple cheese board to enhance every sip.
Where to Get Authentic Belgian Beer Near You
Ready to gather your beers? Stop by Taste of Belgium in OTR, The Banks or Rookwood to explore our featured seasonal brews and flights like Belgian 101 and Belgian 201, which dive deeper into Belgian beer styles. Our brasseries are built to feel like home, with fresh, made-from-scratch dishes like Liège waffles and flank steak frites to pair with drinks.
So, round up your friends, pick up some bottles, and toast to great beer and great company. Visit us at Taste of Belgium to try our Belgian 201 flight and bring the brasserie vibe home!
