ABBAYE DE FLOREFFE MEILLEURE -93 Brewed by Brasserie LeFebvre Rebecq-Quenast, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 8% ABV Deep dark amber brown clear with medium size light tan lasting head. Faint fruit, malt and hops, lots of liquorices, and some alcoholic aromas. Medium bodies with real nice smooth mouth feel commencing with a tingling bitter slightly alcoholic start. Smooth well balanced middle and sweetish dry finish. The main flavors are candy caramel malt and liquorices with hints of dry cleaning fluid.

ABBAYE DU VAL-DIEU BLOND ALE -72 Val Dieu Blonde Brewed by Val Dieu Aubel, Belgium Style: Belgian Ale 6% ABV Origin: Brewery tradition of the abbey Notre-Dame de Val-Dieu, going back to its foundation in 1216. Type of beer: Highly fermented monastery beer, partly filtered but unpasteurised. Aroma: Beautiful perfumed aroma, slightly piquant. Color: Pale yellow, slightly cloudy. Flavor: At first taste sugared, then slightly bitter, being made from two traditional hop varieties. Little after-taste on a very slightly bitter base. Extremely digestible and refreshing. Head: White but not too thick.

ABBAYE DU VAL-DIEU BROWN ALE -72 Abbaye Val-Dieu Dark 33cl - 8% vol. Brewed by Val Dieu Aubel, Belgium Style: Belgian Ale Origin: Similar to its pale sibling and also inspired by an old abbey recipe. Type of beer: Highly fermented monastery beer, slightly filtered but undergoing a second fermentation in the bottle. Aroma: Powerful café/mocha. Color: In spite of its name the color is darker ruby. Taste: If its aroma reminds you of coffee/mocha, the mocha taste disappears, leaving only a slight coffee flavor, with almost no bitterness. Piquant like the pale ale. Head: Brownish and jagged at the edges.

ABBAYE DU VAL-DIEU TRIPLE ALE - 84 Abbaye Val-Dieu Triple 33cl - 9% vol. Brewed by Val Dieu Aubel, Belgium Style: Belgian Ale Origin: Originally inspired by a monastic recipe from the abbey of the same name, which as already produce a pale and brown ale. Type of beer: Abbey triple pale ale, unfiltered and unpasteurised, brewed by a layman in the right wing of the abbey. Aroma: Both delicate and full-bodied. Color: Warm yellow, slightly cloudy. Flavor: Its full bodied taste is progressive but never excessive. A slightly sugared flavor in the middle of the mouth - a perfect combination of alcohol, bitterness and sweetness. Finally accentuates aromatic and alcohol bitterness. Excellent and highly digestible, particularly when accompanying a good meal. Head: Nice white head, not too oily because of its high alcohol content.

AMSTEL LIGHT BEER - 12 Brewed by Heineken Hertogenbosch, Netherlands Style: American Light 3.5% ABV A special light beer containing only 3.5% alcohol and approximately 35% fewer calories than regular lager beer. But every bit as thirst-quenching and refreshing. It's a light beer, but actually has flavor and a beautiful head and color. It even packs in some amber flavor into a beer with only 3.5% alcohol? Obviously it can't compete with real beers but has to top the light beer category.

ARROGANT BASTARD ALE - 98 -DRAUGHT Brewed by Stone Brewing Co. San Marcos, California USA Style: American Strong Ale 7.2% ABV This cranks out tons of pine tar and flowers in the nose, kind of like you poured a bunch of it over a flower patch. Yet, it's a good smell. I almost feel like I'm in the brewery and a new batch is ready to go, a really fresh smell. The color of this beer is unlike any other. A deep magenta, almost on the edge of purple, rusty, orange brown, it is very clear and very deep nonetheless. The head is a creamy beige micro bubble soup that stays the course and laces up the sides. I don't usually base my ratings on the container, but I have to give this an extra appearance point for some of the best beer label literature around.

AUGUSTIJN ALE - 63 Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge Ertvelde, Belgium Style: Belgian Ale Augustijn 33cl - 8% vol. Full body - staying head - amber color with a spicy, malt palate that finishes very fruity with complex hoppy undertones. Extremely pleasant to drink during lengthy conversations. Brewed along a 700 year tradition! FOOD COMBINATIONS: goes very well with spicy food (fish or meat.) The hot spicy food (Cajun, Mexican, Oriental ...) is pleasantly cooled down by this wonderful beer. The hops also help the digestion. Delicious with cheeses. You can age the Augustijn for many years, just like wine.

AYINGER ALTBAIRISCH DUNKEL - 87 Brewed by Ayinger Aying, Germany Style: Dunkel 5% ABV Rich amber-brown color with generous tight cratered head---wonderful ember-like glow when held against light...Rich malt aroma dominates and invites one to sip...Looks and smells so rich one forgets it is a lager! Slight roastiness to flavor, but sweetness in play as well, with mild hops and accompanying tang along for the ride...Carbonation is light, as is the mild finish, which is slightly fruity (the reference to plums is accurate)...The usual Ayinger attention to balance is in full evidence here--all the elements interplay harmoniously...Feels light in the mouth, and really is overall a delicate brew, but with enough substance to satisfy...a great balancing act! This is one of the best of this style available...

BAVIK - 60 Brewed by Bavik-De Brabandere Bavikhove, Belgium Style: Pilsner 5.2% ABV The nose presents a flowery and bitter hop aroma, which definitely comes forward in the taste. This medium-bodied beer has a light malt flavor and a pleasing bitter bite. The finish is a touch sweet, but fairly clean and crisp overall.

BELLE-VUE FRAMBOISE (RASBERRY) - 29 Brewed by Belle Vue (Interbrew) Bruxelles-Molenbeek, Belgium Style: Lambic 5.2% ABV Deep ruby red color, nice head and fair lace. Malt and fruity sweet nose. Start quite sweet, the middle moderate and less acidic than other I've tried, the finish is wine's dry and tart.

BELLE-VUE KRIEK (CHERRY) - 34 Belle-Vue Kriek 37,5 cl - 5.2% vol. Brewed by Belle Vue (Interbrew) Bruxelles-Molenbeek, Belgium Style: Lambic Kriek Belle-Vue is a lively beer stemming from a tradition of mixing freshly picked cherries and Lambic. It has a fruity and sweet taste with a distinctive aroma. The typical Belle-Vue balloon shaped glass allows the distinctive aroma to express itself entirely.

BORNEM DOUBLE ALE - 60 Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge Ertvelde, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 8% ABV Very dark, coffee color - full rich body - staying head - effervescent nose - soft velvet feeling in the mouth - luscious. Malt character with a hoppy aftertouch. Monks used to fast on this type of beer for 40 days! No food, only beer. Medium brown color, medium head. Malty, sweet and somewhat nutty. Hoppy, slightly spicy. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is very smooth. Aftertaste is slightly bitter. No alcohol bite, despite 8% alcohol. Nice drinkable beer.

BORNEM TRIPLE ALE -75 Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge Ertvelde, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 9% ABV Golden shining and soft feeling in the mouth - perfectly balanced taste - full body and heart warming, a splendid aroma, tickling in the nose - hoppy dry long finish. Clear gold, the head white, the lace is adequate. Nose is crisp, citrus, light malts, and a bit parfume. Front is lightly sweet, the top light, the finish is astrigent, dry, nicely hopped and a decent triple.

BROYHAN PREMIUM LAGER BEER- 85 Broyhan Brauerei Gilde Germany Dortmunder / European-Style Export Alcohol by volume: not listed Very nice golden color with a bright white head that holds OK, then drops to a nice collar but leaves little lace. Surprisingly, this is a fresh bottle that hasn't been skunked! The aroma is more malty than hoppy, but there is a good noble hoppiness in the background - lightly spicy and somewhat floral. My guess would be that the hops are Saazer. The body is light with a very fine carbonation, giving a silky mouthfeel. The flavor is a perfectly balanced combination of clean, lightly grainy & lightly sweet malt and hops.

BRUEGEL ALE - 40 Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge Ertvelde, Belgium 5.2% ABV Bruegel is easy drinking soft and tasty amber ale. Thanks to the refermentation it offers more body, more head and more taste than most other American and Belgian Amber ales. It is brewed with Dutch barley and German hops. Although the bitterness is clearly present, it is not dominant.

CHIMAY ALE - 99 Brewed by Chimay Baileux, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 9% ABV Chimay Bleu is principally distinguished by its character of a strong beer. This is a beer whose fragrance of fresh yeast with a light, flowery rosy touch is especially pleasant. Its flavor, noticed when tasting it, only accentuates the pleasant sensations perceived in the aroma , while revealing a light but pleasant touch of roasted malt. This top fermented Trappist beer, refermented in the bottle, is not pasteurized.

CHIMAY CINQ CENTS ALE - 96 Chimay Cinq Cents 75cl - 8% vol. Brewed by Chimay Baileux, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale Chimay Blanche (White), with its typical golden color, its slightly hazy appearance and its fine head is especially characterized by its aroma which results from an agreeable combination of fresh hops and yeast. The beer's flavor, as sensed in the mouth, comes from the smell of hops: above all it is the fruity notes of muscat and raisins that give this beer a particularly attractive aroma. The aroma complements the touch of bitterness. There is no acidity, but an after-bitterness which melts in the mouth. This top fermented Trappist beer, refermented in the bottle, is not pasteurized. Chimay is an authentic Trappist beer that is it is brewed within a Trappist monastery, under the control and responsibility of the monastic community. Named Cinq Cents in 75 cl (25.4 fl.oz.) bottles, this beer with its typical golden color, its slightly hazy appearance and its fine head is especially characterized by its aroma which results from an agreeable combination of fresh hops and yeast. The beer's flavor, as sensed in the mouth, comes from the smell of hops: above all it is the fruity notes of muscat and raisins that give this beer a particularly attractive aroma. The aroma complements the touch of bitterness. There is no acidity, but an after-bitterness which melts in the mouth. This top fermented Trappist beer, refermented in the bottle, is not pasteurized.

CHIMAY GRANDE RESERVE ALE - 99 Chimay Grande Réserve 75cl - 9% vol. Brewed by Chimay Baileux, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale Chimay is an authentic Trappist beer that is it is brewed within a Trappist monastery, under the control and responsibility of the monastic community. Named Grande Réserve in 75 cl (25.4 fl.oz.) bottles, it is principally distinguished by its character of a strong beer. This is a beer whose fragrance of fresh yeast with a light, flowery rosy touch is especially pleasant. Its flavor, noticed when tasting it, only accentuates the pleasant sensations perceived in the aroma , while revealing a light but pleasant touch of roasted malt. This top fermented Trappist beer , refermented in the bottle, is not pasteurized.

CHIMAY PREMIERE ALE - 94 Chimay Première 75cl - 7% vol. Brewed by Chimay Baileux, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale Chimay is an authentic Trappist beer that is it is brewed within a Trappist monastery, under the control and responsibility of the monastic community. First sold in 75 cl (25.4 fl.oz.) bottles, it is noted for its coppery color which makes it particularly attractive. Topped with a creamy head, it gives off a light, fruity apricot aroma produced by the fermentation. The taste perceived in the mouth is a balance confirming the fruity nuances noticed in the fragrance. Its taste, which imparts a silky sensation to the tongue, is made refreshing by a light touch of bitterness. To the palate, the taster perceives a pleasant astringency which complements the flavor qualities of this beer very harmoniously. This top fermented Trappist beer, refermented in the bottle, is not pasteurized.

COORS - 5 Brewed by Coors Brewing Company Golden, Colorado USA Style: American Standard 5% ABV You know that friend of yours that will never try anything new? Well he or she is the reason we have this beer here. We don't want that person whining and screwing up your whole night. Give them a Coors and you enjoy the good stuff. Nose is honeyish with some perfume. Pours light sparkling straw yellow. Average white head is fluffy with almost no lacing, and lasts maybe a minute. Flavor is virtually non-existent, practically mineral water. Palate is light watery, and fizzy.

COORS LITE - 2 Brewed by Coors Brewing Company Golden, Colorado USA Style: American Standard 4.2% ABV You know that friend of yours that will never try anything new? Well he or she is the reason we have this beer here. We don't want that person whining and screwing up your whole night. Give them a Coors and you enjoy the good stuff. As far as light beers go, not bad. But just the principle of watering down beer is immoral.

CORONA EXTRA - 5 Brewed by Grupo Modelo (Corona) México DF, Mexico Style: American Standard 4.6% ABV A good beer. A light taste, with a good texture, and the after taste is also nice. All this is enhanced when you add lime to the equation.

CORSENDONK MONK'S BROWN ALE - 93 Corsendonk Pater (Abbey Brown Ale) Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge for Brewery Corsendonk Ltd. Oud-Turnhout, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 7.5% ABV Has a very distinctive bouquet: yeasty, fruity and slightly smoky. In palate, it has notes of port, raisins and black chocolate. Sweet fruity wine nose that flowed over onto the taste buds. Fig cookie and baking chocolate can be found along the way with a slightly bitter end. The alcohol is well masked until the end, where it comes through a little stronger.

CORSENDONK MONK'S PALE ALE - 93 Corsendonk Agnus (Abbey Pale Ale) Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge for Brewery Corsendonk Ltd. Oud-Turnhout, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 7.5% ABV It has a very big head indeed - pour it gently - and a very clean palate, beginning with a dry, lightly citric fruitiness, and finishing with a distinctive and delicate, perfume, hop character. Very light and fluffy in texture, giving little hint of its strength. Light straw color, slightly cloudy, large head. Belgian Triple style ale. Malty and dry, with a distinctive hop signature. Mouth feel is full and round. Soft carbonation, champagne-like. Finish is dry and clean. Aftertaste is slightly malty.

DE KONINCK ALE - 70 Brewed by Brouwerij De Koninck Antwerpen , Belgium Style: Belgian Ale 5% ABV Made with pilsner ingredients and then lagered it should be a lager - Vienna style perhaps. But the yeast that Van den Bogaert keeps a secret ferments at a higher temperature than other lagers, thus producing a very unique ale. The triple application of the Saaz hops also adds an extremely fragrant and loooooong finish. It's a strange beast indeed this ale - the slightly heady and honey sweet nose is in marked contrast to the light and subtle body, and is light years away from that dry and delicious finish.

DE KONINCK CUVEE - 60 Brewed by Brouwerij De Koninck Antwerpen , Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 8% ABV Copper coloured crystal clear with a small white-yellow medium lasting head. Faint sappy hops and malt aroma. Soft smooth body with malty spicey flavoured start. Sweeter middle and bonus long lasting pleasant, "back and side of the mouth/tongue stimulation" during the sweetish finish and aftertaste. Quite pleasant.

DELIRIUM NOCTERNUM - 76 Delirium Nocturnum 33 cl - 9% vol. Brewed by Huyghe Brewery Melle, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale This is the dark-brown brother brew of the Delirium Tremens. That beer, made with five malts, is smooth, rich and perfume. Michael Jackson - Great Beers of Belgium This ale rates with the best. Great dark color with a huge head that leaves lace clinging to the sides forever. The aroma is intoxicating and complex with earthy fruits, sweet, malt, and a hint of spice. The taste matches the aroma perfectly and maintains the same flavor throughout the bottle.

DELIRIUM TREMENS - 80 Delirium Tremens 33 cl - 9% vol. Brewed by Huyghe Brewery Melle, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale Delirium Tremens is a very bright, despite its being bottle conditioned. It has a dense head; a very fruity (greengage! gooseberry) bouquet; a sweetish palate; and a lot of warling alcohol in a rather abrupt finish. The hops used include not only saaz but also styrians, and its fermentation demands three different yeast cultures. These are employed consecutively in a two stage primary fermentation and in the bottle conditioning. Michael Jackson - Great Beers of Belgium.

DOS EQUIS SPECIAL LAGER - 21 Dos Equis Special Lager is a refreshing, crisp, golden, lager style beer imported from Mexico. Made with roasted malts, choice hops, a unique strain of yeast and purified water, this distinctive brew is known simply as "lager" in its homeland.

DUINEN DUBBEL ABBEY ALE- 92 Brewed by Huyghe Brewery Melle, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 8% ABV Deep amber color, toasty toffee/caramel nose, with layers of soft malt and hops. A big beer without being heavy. Extremely well balanced. Brewed under license of the Duinen Monestary by the family owned Huyghe-Melle Brewery. Heavy malt, lightly yeasty aroma. Banana bread and a carameled apple in the nose. Very nice. Medium, hazy amber color with a medium sized, creamy head. Fully lasting. Good lacing. Very malty and slightly sweet upon first entering the mouth, then the light hops hit and balance the ale right out. Hints of caramel and prune. Full bodied with a fizzy, oily mouthfeel. Long, medium dry, crisp finish. Just a touch pungent. Very nice ale. A must try.

DUINEN TRIPEL ABBEY ALE - 87 Brewed by Huyghe Brewery Melle, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 9% ABV Rich golden color, fruity aroma and a soft, sweet maltiness. Lively mouthfeel with a finish reminiscent of brut champagne. Brewed under license of the Duinen Monestary by the family owned Huyghe-Melle Brewery. Great aroma. Heavy, rich malty smell, blended with grapefruit, cinamon, chardonnay, banana and alcohol. Hazy, dark golden color. Small, creamy white head with excellent lacing. Mostly lasting. The flavor is of malt, fresh plum and clover honey minus the sickening sweetness. Medium bodied with an oily mouthfeel. Very fizzy. Long, dry finish. Excellent belgian ale. The high ABV is mostly disguised.

DUVEL BELGIAN BEER - 93 Duvel 33cl - 8.5% vol. Brewed by Brouwerij Moortgat Puurs, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale Duvel is a high fermentation beer that is still brewed today based on the craftsmanship of yesteryear. Duvel is made using the finest barley malt and hops, with no additives or preservatives. Duvel is not pasteurized and so is entirely pure and natural. Like champagne, secondary fermentation and long maturation occur in the bottle, giving the beer its highly distinctive taste. When poured into the traditional cup-shaped sampling glass, the beer foams into a generous layer of froth. The balance between a fine aroma and subtly bitter taste give this beer a unique place in the rich tradition of Belgian beer.

AISON – 60

FULLERS INDIA PALE ALE - 62 Brewed by Fuller Smith and Turner (Fullers) Chiswick, London, England Style: India Pale Ale (IPA) 4.8% ABV An all malt brew with Goldings hops for a pleasant and distinctive bitterness and aroma, this is a faithful reproduction of the original brew. This traditional IPA is very different from the modern American interpretations of this style. Pale amber color, brilliant clarity ( I could see my fingerprints on the other side of the pint glass), off-white head that dissipated quickly. Aroma of malt and grains with very little noticeable hops. Flavor matches the aroma (actually tastes very similar to their ESB), with a moderate bitterness in the aftertaste. Not as bitter as I typically expect an IPA to be.

GILDE PILSENER - 15 Brewed by Gilde Brauerei Hannover, Germany Style: Pilsner 4.9% ABV Gilde is produced by the same brewery that makes Broyhan. It is the more aggressively hopped and higher quality of the two. Although it generally does suffer in transport and storage (although it's very, very rarely skunked), I'm surprised that it's received so many negative comments. This is a very typical German pilsner as consumed in Germany.

GUINNESS DRAFT - 94 Brewed by Guinness Dublin, Ireland Style: Dry Stout 4.1% ABV Guinness Draft. The absolute definition of an Irish dry stout. The head is legendary - creamy light brown, usually lasts longer than the beer does. Aroma is good, solid, pleasent. Color is dark and rich. Taste is full, rich, creamy. Slight bitterness. Aftertaste is solid, lingering, slightly hoppy. Clearly better than canned, and MUCH better than bottled!

HAPKIN GOLDEN ALE - 86 Hapkin 33 cl - 8.5% vol. HAPKIN is top-fermented ale, with natural refermentation in the bottle. It has a gravity of 8.5 % vol. (alcohol Vol.). It was made with a decoction mash, has no fewer than four hop additions, and has a two-stage primary fermentation. It is a typical Belgian specialty, from the Houtland, the region between Bruges and Kortrijk. The name of the beer derives from Boudewijn Hapkin, a 12th-century Count of Flanders, whose deterrent wielding of an axe is said to have brought peace to this land. The region between Bruges and Kortrijk is known as "The Woodland", but trees are today not especially evident. Either way there is an axe on the label of the beer. Hapkin has a good Saaz hop aroma; a big, creamy head; a full mouth-feel; a soft malt character; and big, well-rounded fruitiness, drying toward the finish. Hapkin is brewed by brewery Louwaege, an independent family brewery. The brewery is situated in Kortemark, south of Bruges. The brewery was founded in 1877.Its brew house dates from the 1950s, and the company is now in the fifth generation of the family.

HARP LAGER - 40 Brewed by Guinness Dublin, Ireland Style: American Standard 5% ABV Bright pale golden; fruity nose; crisp and clean, slightly bitter up front, smooth aftertaste. Love stouts but this is a great lager that I have a soft spot for. It is NOT an American standard lager, but is however a continental-styled lager similar to Heineken (which is the closest beer in taste to it). Terrific mélange of flavors. Thankfully more bitter than most lagers. The head though, as mentioned can be little lacking.

HEINEKEN HOLLAND BEER - 12 Brewed by Heineken Hertogenbosch, Netherlands Style: Lager 5% ABV 100% Barley malt, choice hops and pure water give this brew unsurpassed clarity. Either you love this beer or hate it. That's my observation. The bitter after taste is excellent but you have to store this beer right or it will easily go skunky.

HOBGOBLIN EXTRA ALE - 52 Wychwood Hobgoblin Extra Strong Ale Brewed by Wychwood Brewery Witney, Oxon, England Style: English Strong Ale 5.5% ABV Hobgoblin is a powerful full-bodied copper red, well-balanced brew. Strong in roasted malt with a moderate hoppy bitterness and slight fruity character that lasts through to the end. Flowers, malts, little bit chocolate aroma. Clear, brown/red, off-white head which diminishes fast but not completely. Sweet, smooth, complex flavor. Long grassy, hoppy finish.

HOEGAARDEN WHEAT ALE - 90 - DRAUGHT Hoegaarden White 33 cl - 5% vol. Brewed by Brouwerij de Kluis (Interbrew) Hoegaarden , Belgium White (Witbier) Naturally cloudy and shimmering, Hoegaarden is a surprising beer with a heritage dating back to 1445. Under a thick, creamy head, beer lovers find a crisp refreshing flavor. A smooth beer you never grow tired of. The secret to Hoegaarden's spicy nose is a zest of orange peel and coriander. A preferred thirst quencher, especially with younger beer lovers, Hoegaarden is quickly being discovered as one of the world's favorite beers.

KWAK BEER Brewed by Bosteels Bruggenhout, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 8% ABV Pauwel Kwak's type of beer became a district beer in East Flanders, until it died out with the passage of time. Some years ago, it was revived by Bosteels. The brewery popularized the beer by serving it in a "stirrup cup" rather like yard of ale. As this has a rounded base, it has to be placed on the bar counter or cafe table in a supporting bracket. The presentation of such an elaborate device leaves no one in doubt as to which beer is being served. Kwak is a deep amber beer, with an earthy aroma; a licorice-like maltiness; nougat chewiness; and a warm, finish reminiscent of caramelized bananas. It is made from three malts, including some wheat, and white candy sugar is added in the kettle. Michael Jackson's - Great Beers of Belgium.

LA CHOUFFE- 92 Brewed by Brasserie dAchouffe Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 8% ABV Slightly hazy, golden colored. Nice head and soapy lace. Aroma of saaz,lemon,corriander,malt,honey and others. Light to medium bodied, soft feel, nicely carbonated, pale malt base spiced with coriander, hopped to perfection with saaz and goldings, floral and peppery notes to boot. Dry finish with yeast evident to add character. Tons of style and class.

LA FIN DU MONDE GOLDEN ALE- 91 DRAUGHT Brewed by Unibroue Chambly, Quebec Canada Style: Belgian Strong Ale 9% ABV The end of the world" Triple fermented ale (seems to be in the Belgian blonde ale style). From the label: "The excellence of triple fermentation through a blend of special yeasts gives this malt beverage an exquisitely robust flavor of exceptional refinement" Twist-off cap removal yielded a lively release. This is one of the better looking Triple's in a glass; the dense and creamy foam never relents. Huge aroma full of ginger, peach, pepper, vanilla, mango, green olive, lemon zest, wood, and some toastines; there are also some subtle phenolic hints. Medium-full palate with yeasty softness. Moderately complex flavors of anise, peach, zucchini bread, honey, white grape, kiwi, and mild pepper notes. Perhaps this boasts more tropical fruitiness than any other Triple I have experienced. Finishes with tea notes and subtle hop leaf bitterness.

LEFFE BLOND ALE - 70 DRAUGHT Leffe Blond 33 cl - 6.6% vol. Brewed by St. Guibert (Interbrew) Mont St. Guibert, Belgium Style: Belgian Ale Leffe Blond is a pale abbey beer, with a full, sunny, golden color. It has a smooth and full bodied taste and a rich creamy head. Like all the Leffe beers, it is a "connoisseur" beer that is easy to drink. Leffe Blond has a balanced, gently aromatic flavor. The sweetness is full bodied yet delicate. The palate has restrained fruity hints and a nutty creamy texture. The aftertaste is pleasantly dry. It should always be served in its stylish Leffe chalice-type glass.

LIEFMANS FRAMBOZEN BEER - 78 DRAUGHT Liefmans Frambozenbier Brewed by Liefmans Oudenaarde, Belgium Style: Lambic 4% ABV All-natural, no syrups added, only whole raspberries pressed into juice just before being added to the beer. Features a massive raspberry aroma and the fresh, lively character of champagne. Very slightly pink. Cloudy and tan-auburn, looking like iced tea more than anything else. Head is small, just a shade of lavender in color, no pinkness at all. Nose is very tart, plenty of raspberries with some vanilla and breadiness. Flavor starts very tart and sour, quite sugary, with both raspberry and strawberry. Next impression is not of raspberry flavoring, but very real raspberries, with the tartness balanced by a strong, fruity bitterness. Brew finishes very yeasty, very much like a chocolate chip cookie. Very different than Lindemann's, yet very tasty in a radically different way.

LIEFMANS KRIEK ALE - 75 Liefmans Kriek 37,5cl - 6% vol. Brewed by Liefmans Oudenaarde, Belgium Style: Lambic This remarkable specialty is brewed once a year at the end of July, the time when cherries are picked. One pound of these rare cherries are added to one gallon of six months old Goudenband. After eight months of maturation, this beer is filtered and becomes "Kriekbier" with an agreeable fruity taste. "Kriekbier" will be at least two years old before it leaves the brewery. Its special taste witnesses to this! Hazy brownish red color. Cherries in the nose but w/ an underlying brandyish sweetness. Nice light, spritzy body. A well-balanced sweet and sour experience. Nice tannic acidic quality, touch a brandy, and a dry, tart cherry finish.

LINDEMANS CASSIS LAMBIC - 58 Brewed by Brouwerij Lindemans St Pieters Leeuw-Vlezenbeek, Belgium Style: Lambic 4% ABV A full bodied with exceptional aroma and flavor, with a crisp clean taste. Head: monster, fluffy, lengthy, strong lacing. Aroma : strong, fruity, hard to describe. Color : golden-red, slightly hazy. Taste : strong, earthy. Aftertaste : strong, souring, complex, lengthy. Other - like most Lambic, love-it-or-leave-it. I love it.

LINDEMAN'S CUVEE RENE -92 Brewed by Brouwerij Lindemans St Pieters Leeuw-Vlezenbeek, Belgium Style: Lambic 5% ABV Golden hue sets off the wonderful almost champagne like taste. Gold in color, slightly hazy w/ big, fluffy white head. Musty, tart barnyard aroma: hay, sweat & oak. Light, refreshing, ticklish mouth feel. Intensely sour but nicely balanced. Slight nutty & oak character. Lingering dry finish. Possibly the oldest beer, Gueuze (Geuzza) is unseasoned, wild-fermented wheat beer. It is highly coveted by gourmands in Belgium who lay it in their cellars like wine.

LINDEMANS FRAMBOISE LAMBIC -90 Brewed by Brouwerij Lindemans St Pieters Leeuw-Vlezenbeek, Belgium Style: Lambic 2.5% ABV A clean natural tasting brew with undertones of fresh raspberries and a wonderful aroma. tart like a sour candy, and sweet. Like fresh raspberries were crushed and added. A decent amount of carbonation. You just can't top the color or this beer. Even the head is dark pink.

LINDEMAN'S GUEUZE ALE -74 Brewed by Brouwerij Lindemans St Pieters Leeuw-Vlezenbeek, Belgium Style: Lambic 4.5% ABV Beautiful, clear amber color, with practically no head. A mind-blowing nose: champagne, tennis shoes, blackberries, yeast, roses... Has a tart, sweet flavor, with notes of raspberries and pomegranates.

LINDEMANS KRIEK LAMBIC -78 Brewed by Brouwerij Lindemans St Pieters Leeuw-Vlezenbeek, Belgium Style: Lambic 4% ABV A sparking cherry flavored brew which is smooth and refreshing. Head - moderate, fairly brief, little lacing. Color - reddish, sparkling, clean. Aroma - strong, fruity, very pleasant. Taste - Sparkling, very fruity, definite cherry flavor but not overwhelming. Aftertaste - Moderate, very pleasant, good sweet-hoppy-fruity. Other - Had to look back at the bottle a couple of times - this could very easily be sold as a GOOD fruity wine!

LINDEMANS PECHE LAMBIC- 85.6 Brewed by Brouwerij Lindemans St Pieters Leeuw-Vlezenbeek, Belgium Style: Lambic 2.5% ABV golden peach Lambic with a sparkling appearance and fruity taste. beautiful cloudy orange appearance and a delightful peachy/cider aroma, WOW, wonderful peachy flavor, fermented peach finish with a tad of sourness...this was damn good.

LUCIFER ALE- 66 Lucifer 33 cl - 8% vol. Brewed by Riva Brouwerij Dentergem, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale Belgian golden ale. On the nose it is lightly hoppy and yeastily spicy, with faint caramel malt notes and a touch of citrus and estery fruit. The head tastes extremely bitter, as is often the case with this style. Surprisingly fruity, but with a strong hoppy bitterness. There is a warming, malty, vanilla quality to it, which develops into an alcohol kick towards the end. Secondary fermentation in the bottle. This champagne of the ales is a fine, natural ale of golden color. Lucifer is named after the most famous play of the master writer Vondel. Its special yeast is providing a rich bouquet. Lucifer is preferred by the real connoisseur and is often served as an aperitif. If you prefer it without the yeast at the bottom of the bottle, then pour it slowly without shaking.

MANNEKEN PIS WHITE ALE - 53 Blanche de Bruxelles Brewed by Brasserie LeFebvre Rebecq-Quenast, Belgium Style: Belgian White (Witbier) 4.5% ABV Clear blond wheat ale, with a persistent perlage. Dry aroma, of spices, coriander, lemon, peach (light), alcohol, champagne. Smooth, with a residual sweetness; not very strong 'wheat beer' character, but pleasant and well balanced flavors, with some malt.

MAREDSOUS 10 TRIPLE - 81 Brewed by Brouwerij Moortgat Puurs, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 10% ABV Golden beer with a characteristically fresh bouquet and sweet after-taste. Medium gold color, very large head. Full bodied Belgian Triple. Very malty, somewhat sweet. Some hop spiciness. Full bodied, nice flavor. Some candy-sugar sweetness evident. Re-fermented in bottle. Mouth feel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet. No alcohol bite, despite a 10% alcohol by volume

MAREDSOUS 8 DOBBEL -82 Brewed by Brouwerij Moortgat Puurs, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 8% ABV Creamy foaming dark-colored beer with a well-balance flavor of malt and hops. Amber colored head with a tint of yellow. Lacing was excellent. The aroma was also very satisfying. The beer was strong with a hint of port flavor. A great beer to have on a cool rainy day. Warms you all over. Alcohol content was evident to me.

MAUDITE AMBER ALE -94 Brewed by Unibroue Chambly, Quebec Canada Style: Belgian Strong Ale 8% ABV Gold medal winner in 1995 and 1996 and the Chicago Beverage Tasting Institute. Hazy, amber hue. Small, frothy, white head. Mostly lasting. Decent lacing. Heavy on the malt, but balanced nicely with the hops. Citrus and fruity in the nose. Full-bodied. Fizzy. High ABV is well hidden. Creamy/oily mouth feel. Slightly sour and spicy. Finish is spicy and slightly sweet. Aftertaste has an almost clover honey-like flavor to it, yet slightly sour and bitter. Great beer

METEOR PILS BEER -60 Brewed by Meteor Hochfelden, France Style: Pilsner 5% ABV Golden colored. Very sweet, almost sticky. A little bit of bitterness, but still far too sweet for my liking.

MORTIMER BEER -60 Brewed by Meteor Hochfelden, France Style: Smoked 8% ABV Mortimer is a beer of low fermentation and the fruit of an exclusive mixing of malt with whisky smoked with the peat. Served best when very cold. Sweet ale aroma with a slight whisky tinge. The flavor of the beer has a slight similarity to a spirit, with a slight bitter edge. For 8% the beer is not too strong in taste, in fact it is better than you would expect.

NEGRA MODELO -27 Brewed by Grupo Modelo México DF, Mexico Style: Vienna 6% ABV This dark Vienna Munich type beer has had extraordinary acceptance in international markets. Exports to the U.S. began in the early 80´s, and have since attained great success in Europe, Australia, Central and South America. Great Mexican dark beer in the European style. A nice beer on a cold day. Silky mouths feel, coffee and chocolaty aromas and flavors. The best Mexican beer by far.

NOSTRADAMUS- 88 Brewed by La Caracole Falmignoul, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 9.5% ABV Semi cloudy peachy brown body with no apparent yeast or floaters. Steady carbonation through a thick body. Thin dissipating head that remains as a slight edge head. Aroma of fruity wine and caramel and some must. First sip is loaded with dry fruit (berries, grapes) some spice and alcohol. First sip finishes thin and clean. Lingering berry aftertaste. As this brew warms to room temperature a cotton candy like thickness and sugary maltiness emerges, as well as some Saaz spiciness. Finished with a flourish of spices (ginger, coriander). What a marvelous shape shifter of a brew.

ORVAL TRAPPIST ALE -96 Orval 33cl - 6.2% vol. Brewed by Brasserie dOrval Florenville - Villers-d.-Orval, Belgium Style: Belgian Ale The Brewery belongs to the monastic Community; because it is established within the monastery grounds, the Brewery adapts its commercial policy to the Community's lived values (limitation of the quantity and particular attention to the quality .....); This beer, exceptional for the quality and special nature of its taste, is one of the most popular Trappist beers in Belgium. An extraordinary brew, mainly because of the wonderful water used from the spring feeding the fountain of Matilda, the Duchess of Tuscany and aunt of Godfrey of Bouillon. This beer, unique in the abbey range, consists of three malts, one of which appeared by chance during fermentation like the start of an infection. It was very quickly brought under control and gives the brew an acid flavor with a powerful bitterness characteristic of Orval. After six months in the bottle, the beer has almost entirely consumed all the sugar, hence acquiring a flavor of velocity which will improve over the years. Throughout its cycle, the tone is one of bitter hops, tinted slightly with an acid tone. A new bitter variant has been produced, which is thirst-quenching and never dry. It may be recommended for diabetics as its sugar is completely consumed. Was it the hand of Matilda or the virtues of the water which guided the Cistercian monks in brewing such a legendary and quite extraordinary beer? Consumers are advised to drink Orval in its magnificent chalice (patented model) at a temperature of between 12°C and 15°C, however I would recommend trying it slightly cooler, at 8°C to 10°C to give it the possibility for maximum expression, particularly at the end of the bottle where sediment is deposited, which can be tasted together or separately from the beer. Its brilliant copper color also gives it spontaneous maturity, while the creamy froth crowns it with a princely topping.

Paulaner Salvator- 80 Brewed by Paulaner Munich , Germany Style: Doppelbock 7.9% ABV, Seasonal The first and only authentic dopplebock (double bock) beer. A very rich, full, hearty body yet superbly balanced, true to its world-renowned reputation. In the early 17th century, a small order of monks migrated from Italy to what is now the city of Munich. These were the Paulaner monks. During the Lenten season, the monks were mandated to maintain abstinence of all foods other than bread and water. One enterprising young monk, Brother Barnabus, reasoned that since bread contains grains, yeast and herbs it was permissible to brew a hearty, nourishing beverage to help sustain them while not violating their Lenten observance. Being in Munich, the natural beverage of choice was a beer. Since this brew was to observe Lent, it had to be special. So just after the celebration of Easter, Brother Barnabus started to brew his beer for consumption during the next Lenten period, 41 weeks away. The beer had to be hearty and full-bodied to stand up to the heat of summer and the cold of winter. Such a well-balanced beer would require extremely long lagering time and a new brewing process. Thus, the dopplebock (double bock) brewing style was born. The beer was named Salvator, in honor of Our Savior, and it became a tradition. Today, Paulaner Salvator is the benchmark for double bock brewing and the largest selling double bock beer in the world. It is still referred to among beer aficionados as "Liquid Bread."

PILSNER URQUEL- 63 Brewed by Plzensky Prazdroj (SAB) Plzen, Czech Republic Style: Bohemian Pilsener 4.4% ABV It is called the "model of meter" among beers. All other pilsners are a better or worse attempt to copy the original - the first ever Pilsner Urquell. Its unparalleled exceptionality is guaranteed by the same recipe dating from 1842. The original and finest pilsner. Widely available and amazing. Wonderful balance of hops and flavor. Smooth.

PINKUS ORGANIC- 60 Brewed by Pinkus Mueller Brauerei Münster, Germany Style: Ale 5% ABV Organic Ur Pils Bitter, golden pils was developed in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. Like the original, Ur Pils is brewed with organic malt and hops. Pale golden in color; light to medium in body; dry and well-balanced; clean hop and malt character. Trout amandine, fresh salmon, hors d'oeuvres, Quiche Lorraine, Cobb salad, gazpacho, tabouli, garlic and shallot sauces, thick potato chips, fresh strawberries or cherries. Serve in delicate, straight-sided tumblers at 45 degrees. "Top organic beer."-Barleycorn News

PIRAAT ALE- 82 Piraat 33cl - 10.5% vol. Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge Ertvelde, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale Piraat is a wickedly rich and rounded brew that packs a mighty punch. The powerful glow builds up from inside. Deep golden with a subtle haze. Lots of hops and malt. Mild sweetness. Reminiscent of bread dough, spices and tropical fruits. Voted overall Best Amber Beer (Gold medal) in the California Microbrew Beer Festival 1995. In the 17th and 18th century, strong ale like the Piraat was highly prized by the seafaring captains for its keeping qualities and its high and healthy food value. The daily distribution of a pint of this ale kept the pirates in good health and gave them the spirit to survive the hard life on the sea. One had no water on a ship, but wine or strong beer that could be kept for months on the sea. Piraat is a wickedly rich and rounded brew that packs a mighty punch. The powerful glow builds up from inside. Deep golden with a subtle haze. Lots of hops and malt. Mild sweetness. Reminiscent of bread dough, spices and tropical fruits. FOOD COMBINATIONS: goes with fish and meat. Is often appreciated as an after dinner beer and cigar lovers claim there is no better beer to enjoy with a cigar. Excellent to prepare for a good night sleep. Relaxing.

ROCHEFORT 10 -100 Rochefort Trappistes 10 Brewed by Brasserie Rochefort Rochefort, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 11.3% ABV The top product from the Rochefort Trappist brewery. Dark color, full and very impressive taste. Strong plum, raisin, and black currant palate, with ascending notes of vinous ness and other complexities. The Trappist-Rochefort beers are top-fermented brown ales. They are brewed and racked within the walls of the Abbey of St-Remy in Rochefort. The modest size of the brewery means that the Trappist monks and their fellow workers can perfectly control the production process. The craft beer aspect is particularly appreciated by beer lovers. The Trappist-Rochefort 10 starts with a density of 24.50° Plato which produces an 11.3% vol. alcohol. A marvelous beer! But to be drunk in moderation! The Trappist-Rochefort beers are refermented in the bottle and their full flavor can best be enjoyed when they are served in their own specific glassware at a temperature between 12 and 14 degrees

ROCHEFORT 8- 98 Rochefort Trappistes 8 Brewed by Brasserie Rochefort Rochefort, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 9.3% ABV The Trappist-Rochefort beers are top-fermented brown ales. They are brewed and racked within the walls of the Abbey of St-Remy in Rochefort. The modest size of the brewery means that the Trappist monks and their fellow workers can perfectly control the production process. The craft beer aspect is particularly appreciated by beer lovers. The Trappist-Rochefort 8 starts with a density of 20.80° Plato which produces a 9.2% vol. alcohol. Vigorous in character, it is particularly well suited to be drunk amongst a group of friends! The Trappist-Rochefort beers are refermented in the bottle and their full flavor can best be enjoyed when they are served in their own specific glassware at a temperature between 12 and 14 degrees.

ROUGE DEAD GUY- 80 Dead Guy Ale Rogue Ales Rogue Ales Public House Brewery Brewpub 1339 NW Flanders Portland, OR 97209 German-Style Helles Bock / Maibock 6.5 % ABV Pours a slightly hazy, amber honey color with a nice white head, which leaves generous lace. all the way down the glass. Malty aroma with fruity and floral hints. Starts off with some sweetness, a bit of honey, and grain/bread flavors. Then comes the hops to balance it nicely. Smooth and medium body, easy to drink. Flavorful and enjoyable.

SAISON DUPONT BELGIAN -91 Saison Dupont 25 cl - 6.5% vol. Brewed by Dupont Brasserie Tourpes-Leuze, Belgium Style: Saison Saisons traditionally have an orangey color and dense, rocky head. They are top fermenting and bottle conditioned. They are usually presented in champagne style bottles, and they have a refreshing carbonation and crispness (some are made with quite hard water). Their accent is towards fruitiness, often with citric notes; they are sometimes spiced and usually walloped."

SCALDIS ALE- 64 Bush Amber (Scaldis) Brewed by Dubuisson Pipaix, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 12% ABV It was created in 1933 by Alfred Dubuisson, grand-father of the present family brewer, Hugues. Its former name was "Bush 12%", but today it is known as Bush Amber. Its amber color is due to the use of caramel malt in the production process. Its bitter sweet taste provides it with firmness and personality. What's more, it helps digestion. Beautiful orange color with nice creamy head. Rich, caramel, toffee, vanilla raisin-spice, fruit aromas and flavors. Alcohol burn is there, w. a whiskey character but well integrated. Rather sweet w. a complementary bitterness - without any real dryness, or hop astringency. Good dessert beer or not at all bad on a warm summer evening served chilled! A bit medicinal perhaps, but a great medicine it is. Labeled as Scaldis as per usual.

SCOTCH DE SILLY ALE -68 Brewed by Brasserie de Silly Silly, Belgium Style: Scottish Ale 8% ABV Smooth taste, light bitterness of the English hops, long conservation in normal condition Color: Dark Ruby Cloudy deep amber to almost brown, the head is frothy, substantial, beige in color, the lace is in sheets. Nose is malt, molasses tones, sweet, a bit earthy or more to the point rye bread like. Front is malt, the top is light, finish is quite acidic, dry, lightly hopped, somewhat sour and the robustness stays till the finish. A belly warmer, and I think a must try for "Strong Beer" lovers.

SKULLSPLITTER- 83 Orkney Skull splitter Brewed by Orkney Brewery Quoyloo, Orkney Islands, Scotland Style: Scottish Ale 8.5% ABV This reddish colored ale has an intense vinous nose, is rich and satiny in the mouth with a long dry finish and deep rich fruity notes. Excellent aroma. Huge caramel maltiness and a "raisins soaking in wine" alcohol flavor. So thick and rich with a warming taste in the gullet. Didn't detect much smoke but this was a sipping pleasure that indeed needs to be handled with care.

ST. FEUILLIEN BLONDE BEER -75 Saint-Feuillien Blonde 33 cl - 7.5% vol. Brewed by Friart Le Roeulx, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale This light ale has a deep golden color with a smooth, frothy head. It is very perfumed with an unmistakable hint of aromatic hops and a fruity (citrus) note from the spices used in production. The body has an intense yet distinctive bitterness and a strong malty taste which is a delight to the palate. The overall effect, however, is a slight dryness and hoppiness. All these features make St Feuillien Blonde an excellent and very drinkable beer.

ST. FEUILLIEN BRUNE BEER - 96 Saint-Feuillien Brune 33 cl - 7.5% vol. This brown ale has a marked ruby brown color with a generous and lasting head. It has a distinctive aroma reflecting the wide range of ingredients used in its production. The fruitiness resulting from its fermentation blends harmoniously with a dominant liquorices and caramel flavor. The body is decidedly malty. The bitterness is the result of a complex alchemy between the fine hops and special malts used. These give St Feuillien Brune a typical dark chocolate appearance. This beer creates an endless variety of sensations with a lingering taste and powerful aroma.

STELLA ARTOIS -72 Brewed by Brouwerij Artois (Interbrew) Leuven, Belgium Style: Pilsener 5.2% ABV Very smooth on the palate. Very good beer on tap. Not too strong like the other Belgian beers out there. Intriguing and original flavor, no aftertaste...clean hops

STILLE NACHT - 88 Brewed by De Dolle Brouwers Diksmuide/Esen, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 9% ABV, Seasonal The Christmas speciality from the De Dolle Brewers (Mad Brewers). This beer has a interesting clear orange color with a finely carbonated creamy appearance. The palate is caramelly-sweet and starts out sharp, but quickly smoothes and softens. Intense apple-butter finish and aftertaste. The flavors grow on you as sip. A wonderful ale. Head is initially huge, frothy, rocky, off-white, fully lasting. Body is hazy medium amber, dense small/medium/large sized particles, bottle conditioned. Aroma is moderately hoppy (flowers, citrus - lemon), moderately malty (caramel, cookie), moderately yeasty (cobwebs), with notes of orange, juniper, pear, coriander, clove, peach, alcohol, etc. Flavor is heavily sweet, lightly bitter, lightly acidic. Finish is moderately sweet, lightly bitter, moderately acidic. Full body, creamy and syrupy texture, lively carbonation, lightly alcoholic.

STRAFFE HENDRIK BLONDE- 65 Brugse Straffe Hendrik Blond Brewed by Huisbrouwerij Straffe Hendrik Brugge, Belgium Style: Belgian Ale 6% ABV Golden/amber with huge fluffy head that stands forever. Grapefruit/lemon aroma with banana notes. Goes down smooth with a slightly bitter finish.

STRAFFE HENDRIK BRUIN - 62 Straffe Hendrik Bruin 25 cl - 8.5% vol. Straffe Hendik is a top fermented beer, brewed in the Brewery Straffe Hendrik at Bruges. Alc. Vol.:8.5%. Second fermentation in the bottle during 3 to 4 weeks. A selected choice of the best ingredients has been made: the different malts determines the taste; the roasted malt is responsible for the typical color; English hops; typical Straffe Hendrik yeast. Serve chilled (10 à 12°C) in the typical Straffe Hendrik glass. The ideal provision beer.

TROIS PISTOLES ALE - 99 Brewed by Unibroue Chambly, Quebec Canada Style: Belgian Strong Ale 9% ABV Strong Belgian type ale similar to a Port wine ! Is as dark as can be, mellow in taste with an aroma of ripe fruits. It can be compared to an old porto and is brewed from well roasted malt. A subtle raisin plumb nose with dashes of orange-lemon rind, rounded out with hints of green apples, taps you on the senses and lures you into the glass. Orange edges and a dark nut brown center lurk in the middle. Big foamy head, but submits quickly to the alcohol, yet there still is plenty of carbonation. The fruity template of this is very nice, if you can call it fruity, it is more of a delicate dance between alcohol, spices, and sweetness.

VICTORY HOP DEVIL -99 Brewed by Victory Brewing Company Downington, Pennsylvania USA Style: India Pale Ale (IPA) 6.7% ABV Bold, spicy and menacingly delicious, this American-hopped India Pale Ale offers an aromatic punch and then follows through with a lasting, full-bodied finish. A nice amber/copper color with a thin lasting head. Aroma is splendidly hoppy. The hops contribute a huge pine element on top of a lovely sweet malt backbone. A nice crisp finish really adds to this experience. Outstanding.

VICTORY PRIMA PILS -96 Brewed by Victory Brewing Company Downington, Pennsylvania USA Style: Pilsener 5.3% ABV Heaps o' hops are hiding under the full, frothy head of this elegant Pils. All German malt subtleties linger beneath a long dry finish of this classy quencher. Yellow, big fizzy head. Very fruity, yeasty and sweet aroma. The body has a substantial amount of malt and smacks of American hops.

VUUVE BELGIAN WHITE ALE - 92 Brewed by Brouwerij De Regenboog Assebroek-Brugge, Belgium Style: Belgian White (Witbier) 5% ABV Vuuve is brewed in the tradition of the classic Belgian white beer. 60% barley malt, 40% wheat malt, hops, coriander, and fresh organic orange peel. Awesome cloudy pale yellow color and a nose bursting with tangerine, coriander, licorice, and vanilla.

WESTMALLE TRAPPIST DOUBLE - 98 Westvleteren 33cl - 6, 8 and 12% vol. Brewed by Abbey of Westmalle Malle, Belgium Style: Belgian Ale 7% ABV A reddish brown trappist ale, malty and fruit, featuring a 3 week secondary fermentation. This is certainly the least well-known of the 6 Trappist beers in Belgium, but on the other hand the most sought after. Its mysterious recipe would have great trouble leaving the thick walls of the Abbaye St Sixtus, which allows no lay people inside.

WESTMALLE TRAPPIST TRIPLE -90 Brewed by Abbey of Westmalle Malle, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 9% ABV A strong, dry and spicy trappist ale. The product of a secondary fermentation lasting 5 weeks. Orange in color with a graceful white head. This beer exhibits that unique Belgian characteristic yeastiness. This defines the tripel style because it is the originator.

WESTVLETEREN 8 DEGREE -100 Brewed by Westvleteren Westvleteren, Belgium Style: Belgian Strong Ale 8% ABV Westvleteren has the smallest output of the Trappist breweries, with only a small part of their production going very far into the world. Starts with a fruity, molasses-like nose with hints of figs and dates. Dark amber-brown color. Low head on the sides of the glass. Big warm round sweet malt taste fills your mouth completely. Hints of spices accent the full body. The alcohol comes through and intensifies the flavor. There is a long subtle bitterness at the end. Perfect balance - smooth as hell. Classic brew - great all around.

YOUNG'S DIRTY DICK'S - 62 Brewed by Young & Co. Brewery PLC Wandsworth, London, England Style: Bitter 4.1% ABV, Seasonal A truly delicious mid-gravity ale brewed a high level of crystal malt, which delivers a full mellow flavour. Maris Otter pale ale malt, Fuggles and East Kent hops, roasted and torrefied barley, crystal malt and fermentation sugar. Sweet maltiness - bock-like in aroma. Small off-white head with lacing on beautiful clean orange/red brown beer. Medium carb and body. A bit tangy and not too sweet. Crisp and refreshing with nice level of hops.

© COPYRIGHT MICHAEL NAESSENS 2002. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.