Belgian Beer Primer

Decoding the world’s most acclaimed (and confusing) brews.

So I decided to rank the fifteen regional brewpubs that I’ve visited at least once within the past year according to atmosphere, food and of course beer (Atmosphere 0-2pts Food 0-3pts Beer 0-5pts). The highest possible score...

than the usual corn rubber. Call me a gringo.) The most interesting and delectable item was, indeed, the quesadilla flor de calabaza (did I get that right?); I believe the squash was sauteed, and I’ll have to try one where...

Well, I must say that, for the most part, I had the opposite experience at Auberge de L’ill. I expected much, much more from a three star restaurant and a $400 dinner check for two. My lobster dish was poached lobster in...

No words can adequately describe L’Atellier de Joel Robuchon — yet that is what one must attempt to do, so . . . Nestled with the MGM Grand Hotel, we arrived on time for our reservation and were seated within moments...

on the weekend, the market is perfumed with a not particularily pleasant eau de pork. Fresh chorizo – Raw, it had the soft consistency of liverwurst with a pumpkin colored sausage. It had the most porcine flavor with a touch of...

For more hoppy golden/blonde belgian ales that are on the dry side have him try: Chimay Cinq cents (white label), Poperings Hommelbier, Augustijn, De Dolle Arabier, De Ranke XX Bitter, or Duvel.

: Kiningshoeven Quad (draft) - a little too sweet, but good dairy/butter finish Carolus Tripel (draft) - strong citrus, banana, but nice balance De Ranke XX bitter Belgian Golden Ale – kinda boring, just hops, La Chouffe...

. And I think these beers are major advances in the world of beer—I love many of them, and even in Belgium, beer capital of the planet, brewers are experimenting with hoppier beers (e.g. De Ranke XX Bitter, a “Belgian...

Boon Kriek Ayinger Celebrator Spaten Optimator Avery Barlywine Victory Old Horizontal De Ranke XX Bitter Unibroue Ephemere

According to their most recent email, Deep Ellum has five different Belgians on tap as of last week: Brasserie De la Senne “Taras Boulba” (Belgium) De Ranke "XX Bitter" (Belgium) Brasserie de Geants “Saison...

group to investigate. First the beer, which is outstanding. I wound up having four different drafts and loving all of them, from the caramel complexity of the McChouffe (Belgian brown) to the balanced hoppiness of the De Ranke XX...

and delicate in the mouth, austere pink grapefruit flavors dominated by steely minerals, chalky finish with bitter quinine aftertaste. EXCELLENT Pierre Moncuit Cuvée de Réserve Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru RM Champagne Le Mesnil...

with melted fontina cheese that was incredible. The combination of the smooth creamy cheese with the bitter raddichio was perfect. We also had a salad topped with stilton blue and fresh apple slices. The contrast of the cheese...

of preference: Rankings 1. Rianxeira Boquerones en aceite de oliva – Spain 2. Albo Sardinas en aceite de oliva virgin extra – Spain 3. Cabo de Penas Sardinillas en aceite de oliva – Spain 4. El Corte Ingles Sardinas en...