Belgian Beer 101: Dive Into the Sea of Styles and Varieties

The one thing all of us can agree on is that home beer brewing isn’t for everyone. Not all of us have the time to make our own beer, and that’s okay. What you are left to do, if this is your case, is choosing craft beer to get some of that small/craft brewery experience. There’s a large selection of them ranging in type, style and origin, but if you’re keen on trying something with a truly unique taste with a sweet floral yeast edge, then your next craft beer order should certainly be one of Belgian origin.

A Short History of Belgium Beer

Belgium beer is listed as a world heritage property. With about 1500 different beers produced in the country, Belgium beers are an integral part of the country’s history. All of these beers are produced with the use of different fermentation methods which contributes to their diversity and incredible taste. This beer was considered the beer of monks who mastered beer production, enabling them to drink purified beverages that helped them keep many people alive during the European period of devastating diseases.

During the Middle Ages, many farmers started producing beer in winter that they would use in the summer for quenching the farm workers’ thirst. Until now, many monasteries, farmers and historic breweries continue to brew according to the same traditional Belgium recipes which are passed down to generations.

In Belgium, beer is considered a drink that can be consumed at any time, and not just for festive occasions. Luckily, you don’t need to go to Belgium just to try its beer. In fact, you can look for Belgian beers in Australia as many stores specialise in providing their customers with unique beers from around the world.

What Makes Belgian Beers So Good?

The diverse, unique and tasty Belgian beers Australia stores offer are everything you could ask for. Belgians have beers for every dish which allows you to explore and try something new as often as you’d like. Even though all countries around Belgium, from Ireland to the Czech Republic, can take pride in their incredible beers and beer tradition, still Belgium is considered the heart of the beer belt.

This country has great weather conditions for producing, which is one of the reasons for the production of so many tasty beers that can meet different tastes. Belgium exports its tasty beer to countries all over the world for centuries, so it isn’t strange that you can buy Belgium beer Australia-wide.

What Is the Most Famous Belgian Beer?

So far, the most popular Belgian beer is the three-grained, creamy and malty beer – the Tripel Karmeliet. This beer is complex, and it’s known for its vanilla, orange, and citrus undertones.

What Are the Different Types of Belgian Beers?

As you can assume by now, the list of Belgian beer styles is huge, and beer enthusiasts can choose from abbey, trappist, bock, pils, pale lager, blonde/golden ale, white/wheat beer, hop-accentuated and India pale ale, lambic, dubbel, tripel, flemish red, amber ales, brown ale, scotch ales, oud bruin, flemish sour brown ale, scotch ale, stout, saison, champagne, quadrupel, grand cru, winter and Christmas beers. Considering all of these styles, picking what to try may seem overwhelming which is why you should start first with the five most popular of them all according to beer lovers. These are:

• Tripel – This Belgium type of beer is classified as a strong pale ale, so if you’re a lover of this beer style, you should certainly try the famous Westmalle Tripel.
• Pils/Pale Lager – These beer styles are among the most popular in Belgium and some of the most popular ones in Australia. The most notable example is the Stella Artois.
• Abbey Beers – Tripel Karmeliet is known as a non-certified Abbey beer, but it surely is a must-try.
• Dubbel – This beer style is characterised by its strong dark brown colour. When in the mood to try it, don’t hesitate to start with the Westmalle Dubbel beer.
• Blonde/Golden Ale – Unlike the Dubbel, this beer style is lighter, and it’s usually made with Pilsner malt. To get the full taste, you should really try the Duvel Golden ale.

What Are the Best Belgium Craft Beers?

If you’re a fan of craft beers and want to experience them, then you should certainly try Chimay Bleue, Karmeliet, Omer Traditional Blond, Rochefort, Westmalle Tripel, Ciney Blonde, Lindemans Kriek and Orval. Even though you’re not in Belgium, you can easily find these beers in all well-stocked and trusted Australian stores.

Because Belgians have a wide range of beer styles, finding your favourite one won’t be that difficult. Once you find your favourite style of Belgium beer, you should certainly invest in the right type of glass for it. Given the fact that there’s a glass for every type of beer, Belgians have taken this seriously and they’ve created corresponding glassware to emphasise the character of each.