We had friends over for dinner last week and for l'apéro, I thought it'd be fun to do a little beer tasting. Back in college, I came to appreciate all kinds of beers and really miss the microbreweries of the States. Unfortunately, since I moved to France, I haven't had a lot of opportunity to drink beer. As a consequence, I know very little about European beers. Anyway, I thought I'd go out and grab some random bottles at our local beer store (which is huge btw) to sample with friends. This is what I ended up with:
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Abbaye des Rocs a dark Belgium beer (9 %), Tripel Karmeliet (8.4%) a Belgium light beer that claims their 3 grain beer recipe dates back to the 17th century in the Carmes de Termonde monastery. And lastely, Chimay (9%) another Belgium dark beer brewed by Trappist monks of the Abbaye de Scourmont.
The Quintine (8%) was a light beer and the only reason I got it is because I like the label. Serves me right, it really does taste like witches brew. The Timmermans (4.5%) was a bit too aggressive to my liking as far as taste, and the Goliath (9%) was so strong I ended up watering the weeds with what was left in my glass.
If anyone has any suggestions I should try let me know. Got any favorites?
And for you non-alcoholic / chocolate fans, here's something really simple to make and an instant smile generator no matter what time of year. Make hot chocolate and use a tooth pic to skewer two marshmallows and pinch them to the edge of your mug. See, you're smiling already. (:
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| My kids love this. Even in the summer, it's a hit. |
Now if you'd have said 'wine tasting' I would have been there!! It is so much down to personal taste. Love the hot chocolate. I fancied hot chocolate last night but we are currently enjoying a mini heatwave and I couldn't be bothered in the end.
ReplyDeleteHey Elise,
ReplyDeleteTry Duvel (Flemish for "Devil" if I'm correct :) it's *amazing*
Can't remember the name, but *any* Belgian beer that comes in a *large* bottle that looks like a champagne bottle:)
Sounds like you had a great time :)
the dutch/irish/brits/germans/scandinavians and many more, make excellent beers/ales and stouts... sample til you find what you like
ReplyDeleteof commercial brews, i like heineken [dutch], but like you, prefer the stuff from micro-breweries... again, sample til you find a fave or three ;)
some kits for home brews are excellent as well
[you may want to sample some meads - honey wines - just check out sweetness index and other content]
salut!
i think belgians make better chocolates; dutch, the better brews... but that's me ;) lol
DeleteI'm *such* a hot chocolate girl... I drink it in the summer... So calming! :)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a lot of fun. I'd love to taste beer with you. Oktoberfest here we come!
ReplyDeleteSally: We've had so much rain this year that I don't think it will be a good year for French wine. ):
ReplyDeleteMark: check your e-mail. (:
lawolf: I need to get my hands on some dutch brews for another round of comparison tasting... And yes, belgium chocolate is amazing. (: I'm so hungry for chocolate right now!! grrr.
Morgan: Me too, love me some hot chocoate.
Michael: That would be so much fun. Who knows, maybe some day.... *raises glass* Cheers!
Your title made me grimace at the thought of beer and chocolate together, but now I see. ;)
ReplyDeleteI rarely drink and I don't know much about beer except that 'skunk butt beer' tastes better than it smells. LOL Sniff a Heineken and you'll know what I mean. :P
I'm not a beer drinker and not really a choccie fan either... got any ideas up your sleeve, for concoctions involving sweet rose'?
ReplyDeleteI'm not a beer connoisseur, so I can't be much help to you, especially since my taste in beer runs to light, crip lagers, like Heineken.
ReplyDeleteBut I AM a chocolate connoisseur and must agree about Belgian chocolates rocking the casbah. :-)
Some Dark Romantic
Mmmm, chocolate! I actually don't like beer, so I can't help there :)
ReplyDeleteMelissa: LOL. I wouldn't be surprised if chocolate beer exists. And lol at skunk butt beer! I'm going to have to give it a try...I think. (;
ReplyDeleteMichelle: sweet rose? Sounds really interesting. The closest thing around here is sweet violets...Let me look into this... (:
Mina: If anything, you need to come here for the chocolate...just try not to OD on it, K? (:
Kelley: You'd love the chocolate over here!! (:
Somehow or other, despite repeated attempts to develop a taste for it (including several incidents in college involving kegs I'd rather not speak of), I've never really become a beer guy. I'll occasionally drink a Labatt (good Canadian, eh?), but I'm much more likely to pop the cork on a crisp, cool bottle of Riesling.
ReplyDeleteAh, but chocolate? Especially dark chocolate? Oh, sweet manna of the Gods...
Hi Elise! I'm bookmarking this for my husband. He loves to try different beer. Thanks, sweetie. Missed you!
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried too much beer before. So far I haven't found any I liked. Heh.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, the cup of hot chocolate did make me smile. :)
Chris: I have no idea what Riesling is, but you have piqued my curiosity. (: Also, LOL at "Oh, sweet manna of the Gods..." :D
ReplyDeleteMina: Miss you too! Glad you're back. (=
Cherie: Beer isn't for everyone but thank the Chocolate Gods for sharing their treasures. (:
Enjoying your savory Sundays! We have a micro brewery around the corner from us which I am still meaning to try out. Norwegian beer is very good, if you get the chance you should give it a try :)
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