Our favorite thing here at Food and Drink is when silly Americans masquerade around pretending to be European. But our even more favorite thing is when Coors pretends to be Belgian. Belgium may be France and Germany's illegitimate slave-child, but at least it makes fine pancakes and even better beer. Maybe we should all be a little more like Coors and try to become Belgian too. To make your process a little easier, here is our free guide to Belgian beer -- so that you don't have to pay $3.00 to buy one at Monk's.
BLUE MOON:
Blue Moon is a Belgian-style wheat ale brewed at the Coors-owned Blue Moon Brewing Company in Denver, Colorado. Like most Belgian whites, Blue Moon has a filmy color and a delicately spiced flavor. Pay special attention to the subtle tones of orange and coriander; add a slice of a fresh orange for optimal flavor.
Fun Facts: The Confederation des Brasseries de Belgique sued Coors for marketing Blue Moon as a "Belgian White," because Coors' formula is apparently not really Belgian. Strange. Nevertheless, Blue Moon garnered a Gold Medal at the 1995 World Beer Championships. Yee-haw!
Where you can find it: Cavanaugh's (bottled and on tap), Marathon Grill (on tap)
CHIMAY:
Dating back to 1850, Chimay is one of Belgium's hallmark drafts. Produced at the Abbaye de Notre-Dame de Scourmont near the city of Chimay in Belgium, Chimay brews three different beers: the Premier (red label), Cinq Cents (white label) and Grande reserve (blue label). Each is noted for its fruity aroma, strong foamy "head" and silky body. Beware: this sexy beer can be tr?s expensive.
Fun Facts: Chimay is one of six genuine "Trappist" beers brewed in Belgium -- meaning that it is brewed within a Trappist monastery under the control of the monastic community. You're drinking a tradition!
Where you can find it: Cavanaugh's (bottled)
DUVEL:
Duvel is a Belgian Golden Ale. Champagne-like carbonation intermingles with proteins formed during the malting process leaving an extra-foamy head at the rim of the glass. This foam -- what Belgians call "Belgian lace" -- is a mark of a high-class brew. Enjoy Duvel most when served in a tulip-shaped glass: the narrow mouth of the glass helps to release Duvel's aroma and lends perfectly to the Belgian Lace.
Fun Fact: Duvel is Flemish for devil.
Where you can find it:
Hell
Hoegaarden White
Hoegaarden White is another authentic Belgian wheat ale which is top fermented and then re-fermented in its bottle. Like Blue Moon, Hoegaarden has a distinctive milky, yellow color and derives much of its sweet and sour flavor from coriander and orange.
Fun Fact: If tapped incorrectly, Hoegaarden can taste rather like fermented dirt. Opt for a Leffe Blonde or Blue Moon instead.
Where you can find it: Cavanagh's (bottled and on tap), LT's (on tap), Blarney (on tap)
Leffe Blonde
Dry and fruity, Leffe Blonde is Hoegaarden's sexy sister. This creamy beer is just malty enough to be sweet but not quite as pungent as Olde E.
Fun Fact:
The Abbey de Leffe went through some rough times: first a flood, then a ravenous fire, then the troops came and knocked it down. Yet the beer remained strong. "Leffe, savor the taste of life!"
Where you can find it: Monk's
DELIRIUM TREMENS:
n.: A state of fevered agitation, trembling of the appendages, hallucination and troubled consciousness, attributable to alcoholic intoxication. Enough said. Brewed at the Brewery Huyghe NV in Melle, Belgium, Delirium Tremens is a slow-sipper noted for its big, creamy head and cherry-like aftertaste.
Fun Facts: In 1997, Delirium Tremens was voted "Best Beer in the World" by champion beer drinker, Stuart A. Kallen. For Kallen, "this beer must be sipped slowly so you can revel in each sweet drop. Delirium Tremens has a big body, a rich mouth feel, and a long, sweet aftertaste." Hmmm...
Where you can find it: Monk's.
