#belgian ipa

[thedaily-beer]

El Segundo Foreign Affairs Belgian-Style IPA (Picked up at Windmill Farms). A 3 of 4. Has the Belgian yeast qualities you'd expect in the nose and then a relatively standard West Coast hop profile with quite a bit of citrus and some pine, too. Some floral notes, as well, and a lighter body with higher carbonation.

[whatchudrinkin]

Across the Pond

When I’m feeling run down by the constant churn of new beers from new breweries, I reach for the old classics. I like to revisit the European originals for a sense of perspective on American trends. 

Last week it was XX Bitter from De Ranke in Belgium. I wouldn’t call it a blonde ale, and it’s not exactly a tripel. I dare say, it may be the original Belgian IPA. It’s intensely hoppy, though the brewers use only European varieties -- Hallertau and Brewer’s Gold. 

It’s bitter, sure, but it’s balanced. Honey flavored malt is followed by a bracing bitterness. It’s perfectly dry with little of the lingering aftertaste typical of old American IPAs. There’s none of the typical Belgian yeast flavor, but it’s immediately apparent this was brewed in Europe.

XX Bitter represents a different approach to IPA, a different path toward hop flavor. Of course, here in the States we’ve gone toward a sweeter, juicier, thicker beer, a move I’m increasingly regretting. But in a world with thousands of small breweries, somewhere someplace must be brewing a beer I enjoy.

[photodebiere]

“Une pour tous, tous pour elle” (brasserie “Une petite mousse” - France),  Belgian IPA -  Les 4 mousquetaires (Condom - Gers) : “Un pour tous, tous pour un” 

[beerlovetoronto]

KESTRAL IN A COALMINE ~ WELLINGTON BREWERY

Sampled on draught, Kestral in a Coalmine is a Belgian IPA. The brew combines the juicy hop forwardness of an American IPA with the spicy qualities of Belgian yeasts. The beer poured a cloudy yellow gold with a moderate off white head. 

Belgian IPA. The aroma contained spicy Belgian yeast notes, with citrus, floral and resinous hops. The flavour had some notes of Belgian yeasts along with big juicy hops, a moderate malt backbone, citrus and other tropical fruits and some white pepper spice. This is not usually a style that I would gravitate to, but I thoroughly enjoyed this. The brew also merited 3rd place at the Great Ontario-Hopped Craft Beer Competition.

75 IBU     6.5% from Guelph, Ontario

[cam-strong]

Had fun out with some friends. Usually not a beer person but this place was legit.

[thedaily-beer]

Brewdog's Sandman Belgian IPA on tap at Brewdog DogHouse Edinburgh. A 3 of 4. Smells quite prominently of the expected Belgian yeast but there's quite a lot of tropical fruit on top of the banana & spice. The body is much more clean and simple than the nose, and quite refreshing. No complaints here.

[thedaily-beer]

Stewart Brewing’s First World Problems Belgian IPA (Picked up at Sainsbury’s in Edinburgh). A 3 of 4. A decent bit of complexity here -- smells a bit tropical but also has some characteristic Belgian yeast notes and spiciness. Drinks much the same in the body -- definitely on the sweet side of thing, but a nice firm bitter finish.

[thedaily-beer]

Pipeworks Glaucus Belgian IPA on tap at First Draft in Chicago. A 3 of 4. Pretty much all about a citrus hop profile with a relatively subtle belgian yeast quality throughout. Some nice sticky lacing and a medium body carries it all well. Not the most complex thing ever, but has some great fruity hop qualities on a belgian body, and quite drinkable.