When you grow up in Belgium, you never have to walk far to find a pub. And most of those pubs - even the small ones - have at least 10 different craft beers on their menu. But even with all of this beer available, there's those special ones that you will never forget - and set the course for a life of beertasting adventures. Here's three Belgian beers that left walking tour guide Andy with an impression that sticks, and not just to your glass!

1. Duvel (Strong Belgian Blonde, 8,5%) Brewery Moortgat, Puurs
I know it is a huge cliché, but this classic is one which made me change my opinion on the more bitter beers.

Honestly, the first time I tried Duvel, I didn’t like it! The beer was too bitter, a much too strong aftertaste and the alcohol percentage of 8,5% ABV was still a bit high for me… I was a lot younger then. But, as we do age (sadly) our pallet also changes (gladly). And fortunately Moortgat (the brewery) prepared several variations based on the Duvel.
The tripel hop was the first to discover - starting with Citra, they created a new variety every year. These were more or less the first Belgian IPA's available on the commercial market! As my pallet had changed, I learned to appreciate the more hoppy and bitter beers. Giving the Citra a go, it was nice, but the biggest discovery for me was the Cashmere. A bit softer, nice hoppy flavors made the Cashmere my favorite Duvel. In 2016, the brewery organised a nation-wide tasting test to see which of the Duvel Tripel Hop was the most popular. Today, we still have the Cashmere and Tripel Hop.
A couple of years ago, the 6,66 (or 666, number of the Devil/Duvel) came out. I gave it an honest try but for some reason it didn’t go well. If today I order a Duvel, it’ll be the Tripel Hop or Cashmere.
2. Den Ijzeren Arm (Belgian Tripel with dry-hopping, 9%) 't Brugs bierinstituut, Brugge
With again 9%, and you would want to try the beers I like, it’s another stronger beer I like.
It is strange how life can turn in such ways you encounter people, hear about things, or learn about beers!
This time I take you to a non-specific evening when I was going for a drink after a guided walking tour. Near the end of the tour I met up with a friend; an American expat living in Bruges. We started talking and decided the talk would go easier when our throats would be lubricated, with Belgian beer of course.

We went to a teeny, tiny bar in Bruges, known for its large menu of beers. With 300+ beers to choose from, it can be a challenge! Haphazardly, I looked at the table next to us to see the man drinking a “Den Ijzeren Arm” (= the iron arm). As tour guide, I know this is a reference to Baldwin I (aka Baldwin with the Iron Arm). Intrigued I asked the barman about this beer.
A blond, four grain tripel beer with dryhopping - rare enough within the Belgian beer culture at the time. But the special ingredient "mustard seeds" was what convinced me to try the beer! And what a pallet opened up to me! Very refreshing, hoppy beer, with a peppery flavor somewhere halfway the mouth. I instantly saw myself sitting on a porch on a warm summer day enjoying this beer.
Today, when I’m on a walk and I tell the story of Baldwin I, I mention this beer every time. So you can safely say it made a very positive impression on me… the beer, not Baldwin.
3. Oerbier (Belgian strong dark, 9%) Dolle brouwers, Esen
I once had the pleasure of visiting the Dolle Brouwers brewery in Esen, deep in West Flanders. Never heard of the place, but it was a team building activity so we planned to have a good time.
The tour and beer tasting turned out to be very interesting, funny and witty. But the most fun part was the tasting we had afterwards.
The different types of malt, yeast and lactic acid bacteria bring a surprisingly enjoyable beer offering a nice pallet of flavors. The strong beer (again, 9%) is filled with sweetness and fruit. The sour undertone gives this brown beer the impressions of a wine-like character. But it is the full picture, the surprising combination of sweet and refreshing sour flavors making this beer a true treat! On occasion, if the bar serves it, I like to order this beer. And mostly around Christmas, as it is my opinion this beer suits best in that spirit.

So, that's it: Andy's three beers that started and deepened his journey as a beer-guy! Want to get your own adventure in the world of Belgian Beers started? Get yourself a beer-guide for a beertour in one of our amazing cities. Or book yourself a brewery tour to learn the secrets of our traditional breweries.
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