Belgian Beer We Salute You!

Belgian beer has said to have been made since the middle ages in Monasteries during this period, though there is nothing documented. Today, the monks at the 'Trappist' monasteries in Belgium have been brewing beer since the mid 1800's, and the first brewery having had a recorded sale being 'Westmalle', in 1861. Since then, Belgian beer has explored and created literally hundreds of delicious, delectable choices of pale lagers, lambic 'sour' beers, various colored reds and browns, brewed with chocolate, toffee or floral fragrance which do indeed dance across the palate and tingle your senses.

Belgian Beer Brewing Styles

Trappist Beers: These original Belgian beers must be brewed in a Trappist monastery in order to qualify for 'Trappist' certification. The monks at the monasteries must play a role in its production and some of the proceeds of the beer must be used to support the monastery or its social programs. Trappist beers, are common in origin, having been brewed in or around monasteries, but having many different flavors , they cannot, taste wise, be compared. Some examples of certified 'Trappist' beers are Achel, Chimay, Orval, Rocheford, and Westmalle, to name but a few.

Abbey Beers: These beers are famous for their 'double' and 'triples' and are those which are affilliated with the 'Trappist' beer but do not meet 'Trappist' certification, or are given manasteric branding by commercial brewers, but not mentioning a specific monastery which it is produced. These strong beers come in light and dark and have distinctive 'Trappist' brewing style. Some internationally consumed Abbey beers are Leffe, St. Bernardus (careful with this one, maybe a good night starter (very strong)Floreffe and Val-Dieu.

Beer Classification

Though all Belgian beer has a distinctive 'Belgian' beer taste, each one is unique in it's own character, be it smell, taste, dryness, bitter or sweet, this is the magic of Belgian beer and everyone will come across a brew at a time or place which sets it apart from the rest, be it for only that day or night in which it's consumed ever so slowly. Belgian beer is tasting beer, if you want to chug, go to 7-11.

With each beer being unique, you really have to take the time to taste each and every beer. From Amber ales, Blonde or Golden ales, Brown beers (bruin, brune) strong and bitter, or malty, brewed with chocolate, sour Lambic beers, and fruit lambics, very popular with women who like a sweeter, light brew. There are also White wheat beers, with a floral aroma, scotch beers brewed with toffee, for a mouth watering dessert like appeal. And seasonal beers often higher in alcohol content and brewed with spices to warm the winter season with distincitve flavor. With belgian beer there is definitely a beer for every occasion, season and daily feeling.

Belgian Beer Houses in Taipei

Belgian beer in Taipei has been something I have discovered through good friends over rainy afternoons and sweet summer evenings, starting our nights or ending our days, these 'good' beers, have added so much to my east asian experience.

Cafe Odeon (C02)

With over a hundred Belgian Beers available, in small or large bottles this coffee/ beer house is one of my favorites in Taipei. With a menu of pasta and appetizers, people definitely come for the beer. With its beer decor, artistic french theme and so many beers to choose from it is sometimes overwhelming for a beginner belgian beer boozer to choose, so just ask the owner, (Arvin) or its staff on hand and they will happily direct you to a beer which suits your taste. Located on Lane 86, #11, Xinsheng rd. section 3, Taipei City.

Cafe Bastille

This belgian beer and coffee house has two locations in Taipei, one across from Cafe Odeon above, and the other at Shida Night Market, a popular student and local alike, shopping and food district. These beer hotspots are great for lounging on slow afternoons or catching up on some Chinese studying, with movie showings and documentaries, Art show and music promotions, there is always something to see at Cafe Bastille. Not as large a beer selection as C02, but often has different beers onhand and a larger food menu in a great location!

Popularity of Belgian beer in Europe, the U.S and Canada, and now flooding into Asia (though i'm still looking for my "Belgian Beer fix" in Halifax) has opened up an ancient art of brewing not seen otherwise,now being taken on by local brewmeisters and bringing more global recognition to truly one of the great, if not the best beer brewing countries in the world.

So on behalf of beer drinkers in Taipei, Canada, and the world, I end with the words.....

"Belgian Beer, We Salute You!"