Belgian Beer

Belgium has been brewing beer  since the Middle Ages.  It is more than an alcoholic beverage, but a part of the Belgian culture: Trappist monasteries have been producing specialty beers since the French Revolution, and many small towns have their own distinctive beers, such as Hogaarden  and Chimay .  There are thousands of beer cafes in Belgium, serving brews in signature bottles with corks and metal crown caps. 60% of Belgian beer is exported. Beers produced by Inbev, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch, are distributed around the world.  These include Stella Artois , Hogaarden, and Leffe.  Beer is considered an art form in Belgium, like fine wine, and the craftsmanship is evident in the taste.

Trappist Beer

To be considered Trappist, the beer must be brewed in or around a Trappist monastery, and the monks must play a role in production and financial decisions.  Only six monasteries in Belgium meet these qualifications.  Trappist beers do not have any consistent type or taste, although they are mostly all ales.  Here are the six official Trappist beer brands of Belgium.

Achel	Chimay	Orval

Rochefort	Westmalle	Westvleteren

Abbey Beer

Abbey beers  were once made in monasteries until commercial breweries took over and failed to meet Trappist standards, though most are considered to be brewed using the original monastery recipe.  Many are branded with a defunct abbey or a fictitious monastic name.  However, Abbey beer is considered to be of the same quality as Trappist beer, even though it is less connected with the monastery.

Leffe	Affligem	Grimbergen

Belgian Beer Types

Belgian beer is so varied that it is hard to categorize, but here are a few popular styles.

• Amber ale : Less bitter than pale ale. (De Koninck ,Palm Speciale ,La Gauloise )
• Blonde ale : A lot like pale ale, often made with Pilsner malt. (Duvel )
• Brown ale : Darker than amber ales and less strong then dubbel. (Grottenbier )
• Dubbel : Very dark and strong, a classic Trappist/Abbey beer.
• Flemish Red : Acidic and fruity. (Rodenbach )
• Lambic : Produced by exposure to the wild yeasts and bacteria native to Brussels.

Related Guides

Beer Guide	Stout Beer Guide	Ales Guide