While I'm still not at the point where Belgian, or Belgian-style beers are my favorite styles, I've found over the past year that I'm enjoying them more and more.
I had curiously checked out RateBeer, looking to see overall, which beers were rated highest, subsequently, I had a bit of spare time down in the Esplanade on Sunday afternoon, so I dropped into the Beermarkt, read through their Beer Menu, and ordered a bottle of Rochefort 10. (In my recollection, this is my first time trying a Trappist Ale) (More info on the beer - go here: http://www.ratebeer.com/Beer/rochefort- ... s-10/2360/)
I have to tell you, it was pretty awesome. (Depsite the high expectations!) I'll warn you - This is a review not for some of you expert RateBeer tasters, who'll probably scoff at my limited tasting vocabulary, there'll be no talk of banana or nutmeg or puppy dog tails here... but more for someone who has been perhaps intimidated to try this beer before...
I was first suprised by the great aroma, the first impression was really hoppy, after my first few tastes, that seem to fade, and I was picking up different scents.
Next, I was very suprised at how well the alcohol level was hidden. This is an 11% beer, and yet, while it was very warming, it didn't taste of alcohol at all, it was rich, very well, in fact beautifully balanced between malt sweetness/character and hoppy bitterness. I took my time, read through the entire Beer Menu, and in total probably took about 45 minutes to get through the 330ml, but it was a very enjoyable experience, and I'm going to plan to invite some friends down there for an afternoon some time, sample 4 or 5 different Trappist ales. I've still try to try a Gueuze...
In closing, thanks again to the BarTowel community, were it not for all of your enthusiastic posts, I probably wouldn't still be venturing out of my "Pale Ale Sandbox", and experiencing these awesome World Class beers! Cheers!
Looking for the original Bar Towel blog? You can find it at www.thebartowel.com.
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Introducing Light Mode! If you would like a Bar Towel social experience that isn't the traditional blue, you can now select Light Mode. Go to the User Control Panel and then Board Preferences, and select "Day Drinking" (Light Mode) from the My Board Style drop-down menu. You can always switch back to "Night Drinking" (Dark Mode). Enjoy!
We have a trivia question in order to register to prevent bots. If you have any issues with answering, contact us at cass@bartowel.com for help.
Introducing Light Mode! If you would like a Bar Towel social experience that isn't the traditional blue, you can now select Light Mode. Go to the User Control Panel and then Board Preferences, and select "Day Drinking" (Light Mode) from the My Board Style drop-down menu. You can always switch back to "Night Drinking" (Dark Mode). Enjoy!