Moros' weekly beer review.

[Moros]

As there are few weeks that go by without me having sit in a bar and I alwyas try to taste new beers, and as I see I'm not the only one interested in beer. I tought why not review a beer every week. This way I'll learn to know more beers, and may help others at finding good new beers too.

The idea is simple every week I'll review at least one beer. The first week however I'll review a few more. One from most categories, so beer can be compared easily. Every beer will be get rated from 1 to 10. Some beers will also get "tip!" added to them.


List of reviewed beers:
1) Jupiler & Stella Artois (week 1)
2) Malheur 10° (week 1)
3) Hoegaarden Grand Cru (week 2)
4) Hoegaarden Rosé (week 2)
5) Chimay Bleu (week 2)

[Moros]

WEEK 1 (needs some further editing)

As this is the first beer review, it will be hard to describe the real flavours of a beer. As I can't compare it to already reviewed beer. So sorry if I make comparisons of beer you don't know. Also excuse my perhaps at times inept language, my english is far from perfect.

Choices of the week.

This week I'll start with the most known Belgian beer in the world, Stella Artois. This way in later reviews I can easily compare other pils to it, one reason I choose this particular beer is it's popularity. Another reason is that it's the cheapest beer I can get where I live. It's also the beer I'm most familiar with, not that I'm not familiar with other beers, but it's the brand I drink the most. As my favourite bar and most bars I go to have it as their standard pils. Not a surprise as I go out and study in the town where the beer comes from, Leuven.



My second choice is another pils. Mainly because it tastes almost exactly the same. No kidding. I have won quite a few bets with this. They are not perfectly the same, but once you took a few sips of one or the other the difference is impossible to tell. The second beer I chose was Jupiler.

If you're worrying I'll only rate well known beer or only pils, don't. My third beer is less known, and isn't a pils either. I've drunk quite a few different brands already, however it was the first that I drunk this kind. I'm talking about a strong blond lager beer. As it was in promotion and because I never tasted it, I chose Malheur 10° as my third and last beer.



From Stella to me
if you have too much time:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Stella and jupiler are two of the best selling beers in Belgium itself. The first originates from Leuven a small city in the belgian province Vlaams Brabant. This medieval to early modern age city is all about university these days. It is home to the KUL, which claims to be the oldest university in Belgium dating from the year 1425. Though it's not really true, the university was always one of the major economic and financial drives fro Leuven. Well except beer that is. Already in the 14th century beer was the main money maker for the city (which might have something to do with students as well). These days it is still home to the main brewery of the biggest beer brewer and distributer in the world: !nbev.
Leuven is also known for it's bars. First you've got the Oude markt, originally a town square used for markets. These days it is home to a bit more than 30 bars and a few fastfood restaurants. This means that one bar follows the next, and the next and the next. Another great extra for a beer loving man are the fa(c/k) bars. These are bars or pubs from a student faculty or club. Though run and maintained by students, some offer a good variety of beer, but all have cheap prices. (especially for pubs/bars in a centrum.) It's in one of these that I'll probably try most of these beers out: Fakbar letteren. Home to students of Modern and classic Languages, Regional cultural and linguïstic studies, Archeology, Music sience, Arts and of course History. One of the reasons is of course that I study histroy, but also because it's the only one open from noon. The biggest reason however is, the care and professionalism when it comes to the beer itself. You won't find plastic cups, beer without heads or just beer heads here! So unless you're an English chap who can't stand foam, this is not a bad place to start at all. Another nice thing is that every week there are a few promotions every week.

Stella & Jupiler

different yet the same:

Stella and jupiler both are about the average Belgian pils. And both are some of the best selling within Belgium itself. However though they taste exactly the same there are quite a few differences between them. Stella for example is also heavily exported, and gets drunk a lot in other countries too. And rightly so; it's a nice decent beer, ideal for a night out. Also a good beer, to start learning how to drink beer with. Jupiler on the other hand has to do it with mere the Belgian market. But being both from !nbev, there isn't really much of a problem. Jupiler comes from Jupille, in French Belgium, while Stella Artois is brewed in Leuven, in Flanders (Dutch part of Belgium).
However when it comes to taste, I've yet to meat the guy who can actually tell the difference. So if you ever doubting which one to buy, just get the cheapest one. Though some will say I like this one better or the other one better, or they don't know what they are talking about or they just are blindy proud of their local beer.



Now for the real review:

Like I said Stella and Jupiler are about the average decent Belgian 'pint'. It's almost like they were brewn purely for commercial succes. They are not sweet, yet not bitter either. It's a beer a real beer drinker can enjoy, but also someone who doesn't drink beer that often can enjoy it. Logically it's a fine beer, to learn to drink beer with.
(Yes, you need to learn it. You need to learn how to pour it in, you need to learn to appreciate beer, but you also need to learn how to drink it. And some might also need to learn how much they should or should not drink)
However being such a neutral beer, means that it doesn't have much of a unique taste or character. Then again both are pils, and thus aren't expected and aren't supposed to have much character.

Both are what they are and what they are supposed to be. A decent quality refreshing beer everyone likes, and everyone buys. There are better pilses you can get, however none of them would ever be this succesful. They may also lack uniqueness, the fact that they taste this much alike proofs this. But if I you'd ever buy me a couple I'd be gratefull.
There's a reason both are my favourite going out beers, but not the kind of silent evening or afternoon beer you'd order for tasting.My final verdict: 7,5/10.

Malheur 10°

The malheur is a stronger beer you wouldn't, at least I wouldn't, drink the whole night while going out. First it'd be expensive, but it is also a bit too strong for this with an alcohol rate of 10%. It tastes more or less like a leffe blond or a Westmalle tripel. But then with a bit sharper taste. A little tiny touch of soureness at first (compared to leffe and Westmalle), but then I mean a little. You'll taste that it's 10° too. It feels a bit less thick in the mouth, and the after taste seems a be a bit lighter and sweeter. The after taste seems to miss a bit of complexity at first, but it will taste a bit more complete a bit later especially after few more sips.
Personally I liked this beer a lot. And thus I ordered another glass, and another one after that one. It was a good beer, a nice taste. I'm happy I tried it out. However after having three of it, I didn't feel anymore like it. Niether the day after or the day after. It's a beer that is good for a glass or two (not only considering the level of alchohol, not that that is much of a problem to me anymore these days), but it did grow tired on me. It however is a great beer none the less. And though I may not feel like ordering one this or tomorrows evening, I know that I'll drink it again next time it crosses my path.



In short great degustive beer for having a glas or two. Not something I'd regulary drink though. However I'd advice it to anyone who likes these kinds of beers. You'll love it. I did. And thus I'll gets it's kinda a sort of tip of the week. My verdict? A well deserved 8,25/10.

TO BE FURTHER EDITED.

[Beirut]

Hmmm, an interesting and tasty project.

Perhaps this can be incorporated into Vladimir's Beer Thread as VBT has an established readership and hoplike quality of foamy repute amongst les boys.

To ponder, to dream.

[Vladimir]

I just had an idea for a beer sub forum!

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I just had an idea for a beer sub forum!

Beer and firewood. We can call it the "Man Forum." Unfortunately, the connotations of such a forum name are such that popularity may be short lived.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Beer and firewood. We can call it the "Man Forum." Unfortunately, the connotations of such a forum name are such that popularity may be short lived.

Bah, real men welcome such challenges to their manliness/straightness as they have nothing to fear! Stop being such a girly man!

By the way I'd like to review Allagash. It comes from a county of Maine with fewer people than are employed by the brewery, located right near the Canadian border. Though expensive it is cheaper than Chimay for example, a Belgian import, and Allagash Reserve is pretty similar to Chimay Red. Allagash also makes a very good "white" which has a fruitier quality. If you like Belgian style ales definitely check out Allagash!

[CountArach]

Beer and firewood. We can call it the "Man Forum." Unfortunately, the connotations of such a forum name are such that popularity may be short lived.

Just move the Babe Thread in there and you will never be short of readers!

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Just move the Babe Thread in there and you will never be short of readers!

Well said!

[Beirut]

Is the genesis of a giant forseen
Or for vanity's sake do we merely and meekly dream

Frontroomishly do we ponder
Of threads that wander yonder

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Is the genesis of a giant forseen
Or for vanity's sake do we merely and meekly dream

Frontroomishly do we ponder
Of threads that wander yonder

I named a syndrome after you.

[Vladimir]

I am looking forward to a Belgian beer review from a Belgian from Belgium.

[Moros]

Week 1's reviews are up. It's not complete finished yet. Needs some editing, and it's in fact more of a first draft. But then I need to go now, so sorry for spelling errors or if I forgot about stuff,...

[Beirut]

Hmmmm, this is an interesting style but it might get a bit confusing having flashbacks like this.

Allow me to ponder on the fate of this thread.

[Moros]

Will maintain a list of reviewed beers in the first post.

Does anyone know a good site for finding out the English beer dictionary? I know my stuff in Dutch, but I find it hard to find all the correct wordings in English.

Edit: I think I'll have Chimay blue, Leffe blond and Cristal next time. This way I have reviewed a beer of all the baisc types.

[Vladimir]

Regardless of the fate of the thread I hope you keep doing your excellent reviews.

[Moros]

Thanks! Also you do know what your sig means...do you?

[Vladimir]

Thanks! Also you do know what your sig means...do you?

I HOPE it means I like beer and women, in less Andres set me up. It is better than "hounderpoopen" or whatever I had before.

[Moros]

Well if I were you I'd better change it to: Ik hou van dikke grieten en ferme pinten!

[Andres]

Are we allowed to make suggestions for your next reviews?

Would you consider reviewing Ciney Blonde and Guillotine (from Brouwerij Huyghen) It's been ages since I had that last one. They sold it for 1,25 € at the Pavlov in Leuven a couple of years ago, but that was before they renovated the building (well, maybe the renovation occured before you started your studies in Leuven. Guess I'm getting old...) Don't know if they still have it now, though.

I'm really enjoying this thread, so keep up the good work

Ik hou van dikke grieten en ferme pinten!

You like fat chicks and hot pints ? I think Vladimir prefers hot chicks and awesome pints, like his sig suggests...

[Moros]

Are we allowed to make suggestions for your next reviews?

Would you consider reviewing Ciney Blonde and Guillotine (from Brouwerij Huyghen) It's been ages since I had that last one. They sold it for 1,25 € at the Pavlov in Leuven a couple of years ago, but that was before they renovated the building (well, maybe the renovation occured before you started your studies in Leuven. Guess I'm getting old...) Don't know if they still have it now, though.

I'm really enjoying this thread, so keep up the good work



You like fat chicks and hot pints ? I think Vladimir prefers hot chicks and awesome pints, like his sig suggests...

Oh that's to bad. They had guillotine in Fak Letteren not that long ago. They don't have Guillotine anymore at the pavlov. But I can go and see, or ask one of the persons in charge (yes, I indeed know to many people for my first year, lol).

Anyway I'm going to drink quite a lot of different beers this week. It's the last week, so everything that's left is on sale. Hoegaarden Grand Cru probably will make it.

[Vladimir]

Great! I've had the regular version and while good, wasn't very memorable.

OT: How did "dikke" come to equal fat?

[Moros]

I'll be late this week as I got an unexpected last minute paper to make. But I'll make it a a big one then.

[Moros]

Okay it has been a long time, but I had a paper to write. The beers I'll be reviewing this week are:

Hoegaarden Grand Cru, a stronger blond-peach coloured beer from Hoegaarden. Originally a small brewery that was producing a unique refreshing 'witteke', called Hoegaarden. The beer became popular fastly, and when the original brewer became too old he sold his brewery. !nbev, bought and even wanted to move Hoegaarden out of it's town of origin, after which it was named, to Jupille. (See Jupiler week 1) This was percieved under much protest. However after a half year (or something, I can't remember), Hoegaarden returned to it's place of origin. Officially because there now was a bigger market for the beer, and thus yak, yak. True reasons however were probably the protest, but mostly the fact that they couldn't get a decent hoegaarden made in Jupille (I know I've talked with one of the head brewers). Now Hoegaarden is bigger than ever, and with more different beers. One of the other beers from Hoegaarden is the Hoegaarden grand cru, which was said to be worth a taste. Therefore I decided to do so.

One of the newest beers by Hoegaarden, is Hoegaarden Rosé. Something you really shouldn't drink, it beer with some cherry sirop. Originally made because they produced to much bad Hoegaarden, which tasted bad, so they just added some sugery junk in it. It's not nice to drink (I tasted once), and most of the Hoegaarden Rosé still contains the bad beer. It however did have succes apparantly and made it into a permanen new Hoegaarden brand. (So at least the hoegaarden Rosé will have decent beer in it.)

A completely different beer is Chimay Bleue. A true classic Belgian brown Trappist. A beer every beer lover should at least have tried. The complete opposite of a Hoegaarden Rosé.

And here come the reviews:

Hoegaarden Grand Cru

A beer with some character, but with a bit more of a refreshing taste than most beers of it's alcohol level. However it indeed trades it for character. If you never drank heavier beer for before, this might be a good start. you wouldn't say it has 8,5%. It's taste may softer and more subtle, it still has quite a complex flavour. Personally I like it. However I do prefer some stronger flavours. And personnaly it could have done with a tiny touch of bitterness. However it is from Hoegaarden, and thus could be expected to be more soft and fresh. Due to fact that it also has that fruity touch of Oranges. (Like normal Hoegaarden)

So in short a heavier blond beer, who trades a bit of character for a more fruity/refreshing touch. Great for people who aren't used to much character or a summer's day, it won't be for others. My verdict 8/10 and my tip of the week!

Hoegaarden Rosé

Well this is more of a warning than a review. Really, if you like beer don't drink it, if you don't like beer, don't drink it! Okay this might sound harsh. But the reason they made it was because they had bad beer, and they just wanted to sell it. If you want a fruity taste just try some Lambik, kriek or something else from Hoegaarden (try Verboden Vrucht for example). Not this. my verdict 4/10.

Chimay Bleue

The queen of the brown trappist beer...Well it is one of the best and something you must try. It has it all: just enough character and a complex taste. Personally I like this one very much. But only for a few, too many and it does grow tired. That and of course the Alcohol will start working, though that might not always be a problem... You should try the other Chimay beers too, though this one is the classic one. And is found in a lot of bars in Belgium. Where it is one of the more popular brands. My verdict 8,75/10

---Still need to add some pictures and correct some obvious mistakes, and perhaps add a bit to the Chimay bleue presentation and review. Oh well.---

[Vladimir]

Excellent review. Thanks for the warning.