As you may know, I do a couple of days helping out in a beer shop in Truro, the colourfully named Red Elephant Beer Cellar, which gives me an opportunity to educate/bore rigid (delete where applicable) customers on the subject of the fermented stuff. For many, an expansive continental beer section is something of a novelty, but even the most ardent British real ale aficionado can appreciate the delights from across the waters.
For those wanting to get into Belgian beer I’ve been enticing them with Lefebvre’s Saison 1900, which is a very inexpensive way to try something new. Light golden coloured, it pours with an immense white head and medium carbonation in the glass. The aroma is of peppery hops, spice and candied sugar and when you dive in there’s plenty to intrigue the tastebuds, including banana, clove and sourdough bread notes and hints of orange peel. Lots of layers of flavour, all working well together and nothing overpowering.
There are better beers, there are more extreme beers, but it’s so satisfying, with a long dry finish that really makes you want to dive into another. It’s all about lightness of touch, effervescent flavours dancing on the tongue.
Belgian novices, I would start here. It’s going to be a big adventure. Tripels, Dubbels, Lambics, here we come!
Picture: www.brasserielefebvre.be
