What are Belgian Beers?
Belgian beer, the love-child of centuries-old tradition and modern innovation is a popular drink of choice among beer lovers. Belgium embodies a fusion of diverse cultural influences, which we acquired from our neighbors–France, Britain, and Germany. Our beers are no different. When German beer-making is all about bringing variety to the brew, Belgians have mastered the art of beer-making by innovating and improvising on traditional brewing techniques to create unique flavor profiles.
In Belgium, we say you drink beer three times: first, with your eyes. Each beer has its own unique glassware and it must be beautifully poured with the right amount of foam. The second is with your nose. You have to smell the aroma of the foam which we in Belgium take very seriously unlike our neighbors. The third time is when you drink it and taste what we are all about.
Is the beer lover in you wondering where you can find beer like this? Visit Taste of Belgium in Dayton and Cincinnati and you’ll discover true Belgian brews for yourself.
The Belgian Beer Tradition
Belgium’s beer history is a story of tradition, resilience, and innovation. From monastic roots to modern craft brewing, Belgian beer has played a vital role in both the global and the local beer scene. Its diversity of styles and flavors has cemented its place as a world leader in brewing, making Belgian beer a treasure for enthusiasts everywhere.
The history of Belgian beer traces back to the Middle Ages. In the early days of urbanization, due to a lack of sanitation planning and overpopulation, water sources were contaminated with organic matter, making it unfit for consumption. These unprecedented circumstances forced brewing to become a central part of life By boiling the water in the brewing process, brewers created a safe beverage by killing harmful bacteria.
Before hops–flowers of the Humulus lupulus, a key ingredient of the modern beer-making process that adds a distinct aroma to the beverage and keeps it fresh for longer periods – were discovered, beer would only keep for a few days. Brewers had to experiment with a variety of herbs and spices to try to extend the beer. Monasteries, especially Trappist refined brewing techniques considerably. They created the Abbey and Trappist styles, experimenting with herbs and spices.
In the 15th century, hops entered the scene. Their arrival meant that beer could now be preserved longer and add a different flavor as well. Around this time, breweries became more regulated by local governments, who often issued licenses and set standards for beer production. Many towns and cities had their own breweries, leading to a diversity of beer styles across Belgium.
In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution revolutionized brewing with modern equipment. Commercial breweries became more popular and beer styles like Saison emerged. After the end of World War II, at the beginning of the craft beer movement, traditional Belgian beer saw a revival. Today, Belgian beer culture boasts of over 1,500 varieties.
Trappist brewing, known for its charitable focus, flourished during this time, with internationally renowned beers like Chimay and Orval. UNESCO recognition in 2016, and a vibrant scene of microbreweries, festivals, and food pairings, solidifying its place as a global leader in brewing. To read more about the rich and interesting history of Belgian beer, click on this link!
Why Belgian Beers Stand Out: Unique Styles and Flavors
The diversity comes from the sheer variety of styles we have. We curated this diversity from a willingness to challenge the status quo. We like to believe we are more experimental than our German counterparts.
Not only are the beers of Belgium vast in quantity, but they’re vast in quality, diversity, and cultural importance. Every beer seems to have a history and character that’s independent of its neighbors on the shelf. If you’re put off by intensely bitter IPAs or bland canned lagers, the Belgian beer section at your local bottle shop may be a good place to start your love affair with beer.
Here’s a short beginner’s guide to get you started:
- Dubbels are strong (6-8%), brown ales with a heavy body, low bitterness, and a fruity, malty sweetness.
They tend to be double fermented, giving it the name.
The fruit flavors are generally darker fruits, such as dates, plums, prunes, and raisins, while the malty flavors can be reminiscent of chocolates, caramel, or nuts.
These combined flavors give complexity to dubbels and lead to a wide variety of flavor profiles. - Tripels are similar in color and style to Blonde ales, though they tend to be a little higher in alcohol content (8-11% ABV).Tripels are triply fermented, hence the name, with the last fermentation taking place after bottling.As a result, they get better with age. It needs to be stored properly (similar to wine), but the aging will continue for 2-5 years.
- Quadrupel The strongest of the Trappist varieties, Quadruples range from 10 to 14 percent alcohol content. Like the other Trappist beers, it is named after the four steps of fermentation. They are similar to Dubbels in that they often have very complex flavor profiles of dark fruits and nutty caramels.
- Saison translates to seasonal beer. Traditionally made from the leftover grain during the harvest and drank by seasonal workers. The flavors can be super diverse, but usually, Saisons are refreshing, dry, hoppy, and fairly bitter. Commonly you’ll find that Saisons are highly carbonated with aromas and flavors of citrus and pepper.
Exploring the Belgian Beer Menu at Taste of Belgium
At Taste of Belgium, we are pleased to offer an extensive collection of Belgian beers. Here are a few highlights from our beer menu:
Duvel: In our Bottles/Cans menu section of beers we provide Duvel beer which is renowned for its strong golden ale (8.5 %) ABV that combines fruity esters with a slightly bitter, hoppy finish—a must-try for those who appreciate bold flavors.
Patio Crusher, (sour 4%ABV) This Fruit Beer is a light-bodied, refreshingly tart beer. Ideal for outdoor gatherings, this beer is uniquely served on ice. Featuring a lively mix of raspberry, cherry, strawberry, orange, tangerine, lemon, and cranberry. The sweetness of honey malt complements the robust fruit flavors. For those looking to kick it up a notch, a shot of vodka, rum, gin, tequila or genever can be added for an extra Belgian flair
Duchesse Red: Flanders Red Sour, 7% ABV. Matured in wine oak casks for 18 months and macerated with real cherries. This is a complex, higher-gravity beer. The finish carries vanilla, almonds, and a sweet cherry tanginess. If you are someone driven to savory tastes, it’s a must-try beer.
As a beer lover, we’re sure you’d want to read about more Belgian beers. Click on this link to check out our menu.
Perfect Pairs: Belgian Beers and Our Food Menu
Pairing our finest beers with our menu truly elevates the dining experience. Here are some perfect pairings you can enjoy:
Moules-Frites—Baptist Wit: Briny sweetness is what our mussels define, where the real pop of Hoegaarden citrus and spicy notes come into play.
Steak & Frites—Taste of Belgium Tripel: Rich and fruity, really bringing the savory depth to another level in our classic Steak & Frites.
Belgian Waffle with Bavik Superpils: Our signature Liège Waffle is balanced by the crispness of Stella Artois for nice contrast—in fact, delightful—to the sweetness within.
Not a Burrito with Duvel: The richness in flavors within our Not a Burrito dish provides balance for this bold, hoppy finish of Duvel.
The Craft Beer Scene: Cincinnati
In Cincinnati, most local breweries are brewing Belgian-style beers. But, the question on the tip of your tongue should always be ‘What is the proper execution of the style?’ To experience this for yourself, come try what we brew in Belgium. To try craft beers in Cincinnati, at Taste of Belgium, we have – earthy, funky beers, fruity beers, and hoppy beers. Malty beers and tart beers, spicy beers, and even beers in cans and bottles to keep things classic.
We try to offer a haven for any beer enthusiast with great beer and authentic food pairings that will complement any choice. Stop by either our Cincinnati or Dayton locations to view our huge selection of beers and to see for yourself why Belgian beer is the most renowned in the world.
Our authenticity, expert beer pairing, and committed engagements are what dedicate customers to us!
Location and Contact Details
Taste of Belgium has become a part of the Cincinnati and Dayton community with several locations throughout the city. Each spot—whether in OTR, The Banks, Rookwood Exchange, The Greene, Findlay Market or Austin Landing—brings a bit of Belgium to its neighborhood. While each location has its own hours and contact details, they all share the same commitment to serving delicious, authentic Belgian cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
So, Why Wait?
Drink with the Taste of Belgium, and Feel like a Belgian!
