Unibroue-La Fin du Monde

MY REVIEW: Excellent Belgian style tripel! Quickly becoming one of my favorites! Score to my liking on a 1 low-10 high scale: 10 Canada- Tripel- 9% ABV. La Fin du Monde has a brilliant golden color with vigorously effervescent foam. It is mildly yeasty with a pleasingly complex palate of malt, fruit and spice notes followed by a smooth, dry finish. BeerAdvocate’s #13 of 25 All-Time Top Beers 2008. It took 18 months of research before La Fin du Monde saw the light of day in February 1994. Representative of a style that was originally developed by medieval monks who served beer on special occasions, it is a premium beer with a surprising finesse. Like Trappist triple ales, La Fin du Monde is brewed and refermented in the bottle—a first in the American market...

Taste Testing Belgium’s Most Sought-After Trappist Ale

Taste Testing Belgium’s Most Sought-After Trappist Ale – and Its Easily Available Alternatives The world-famous Westvleteren 12 is delicious, no doubt about it. But is it really that much better than the competition? In craft beer circles, it’s practically legendary: an intensely boozy, powerfully flavorful, and incredibly rare Belgian quad called Westvleteren 12 (aka Westy 12). It’s one of a few different beers made by reclusive Trappist monks at the St. Sixtus monastery in rural Belgium, true to the region’s centuries-old brewing tradition. To buy it these days, you’ve got to call the brewery over and over for hours through a line that’s practically always busy. If you’re lucky enough to get connected, you make an...

Intense Belgian Ales

Intense Belgian Ales Belgium’s strong ales have a heavy alcohol presence, sweetly malt-heavy flavors, and a richness that’s perfect for drinking on frigid, windy nights. They’re loosely grouped according to strength: dubbels are usually 6-7% ABV, tripels are usually 7-9%, and quads stretch into the double digits. The higher you go, the darker and more intense the flavors become. Oh, and what about singles, you ask? Confusingly, they don’t really exist, at least as it relates to beer store shelves. Dubbels tend to be purplish brown in color and deeply sweet, thanks to the use of caramelized beet sugar in the brewing process. That lends a rasin- and plum-like flavor, while the Belgian yeast adds a touch of spice. Tripels diverge slightly by...

San Sebastian Vitners White

This wine is balanced to express intense fruit flavor derived from the Noble variety of the Native Muscadine grape. Served slightly chilled, this wine is a great complement to any pasta dish as well as for just sitting and relaxing. Sweetness: Sweet Score to my liking on a 1 low-10 high scale: 9 ABV: 11% PURCHASE 750...

San Sebastian Vintners Red

This wine is balanced to express intense fruit flavor derived from the Noble variety of the Native Muscadine grape. Served slightly chilled, this wine is a great complement to any pasta dish as well as for just sitting and relaxing. Sweetness: Dry Score to my liking on a 1 low-10 high scale: 9 ABV: 11% PURCHASE 750...