Cheers to Belgian Beers 2008

I’m a bad, bad beer enthusiast. I didn’t even know the Cheers to Belgian Beers tasting was happening until last night. But at least I was there today and tasting beers by 1pm, unlike most folks! I’m that committed. It’s also only the second annual event, so it’s not exactly a long-standing tradition that’s on my radar.

I was worried that Roots was too small a location for the event, but it turns out that they’ve taken over the retail storefront and warehouse next door, so there was plenty of room. The breweries set up a long table with taps in the warehouse, and people milled about sampling beers or found tables in the main Roots dining space. We found a table just on the edge of the crowds, so we could still hear each other talking.

The way the Cheers to Belgian Beers event works is that last year’s winner (Roots) is the host of the next year’s event and gets to choose the yeast strain that all the breweries use. Neat! 15 breweries used the same yeast strain to create different Belgian-style beers. I got through 9 of the 15 beers before my taste buds tired out and all the beer started to taste the same.

Up first was Lompoc Brewing’s Le Diablesse, a Belgian Red Ale. I have to admit that I started with Lompoc because Jon, the brewer from the Fifth Quadrant, was pouring so it was a great chance to say howdy. I play soccer with his wife and get to sample Jon’s homebrews from time to time, which are pretty awesome. La Diablesse was a lovely ruby brown, with a malty flavor and clove, banana, and coriander notes. The finish had a mild coffee bitterness, and almost a dry chocolate flavor to it.

For something completely different, I tried Philadelphia’s Flemish Brown next. It was much as expected; a tart, sour beer with an increasingly sharp flavor as it warmed. While nearly true to the style, there were some strangely chocolate notes to the flavor that made it taste like a mix of of a Flemish Brown and a regular ale. I think it just wasn’t quite fruity and sour enough for my liking. It was exciting to see a local brewery trying out the style, though!

Back to the malty side of things, I had the Lucky Lab Malt Bomb. It’s just that! A very strong, sweet vanilla nose, malty flavor, and very smooth. What it wasn’t is very Belgian. It lacked any of the esters or spicy flavors and aromas I associate with Belgian-style beers. I did enjoy it, and would certainly have it again, but it wasn’t a winning brew for the event.

Lompoc Brewing brought two beers along, so I had to try their second option. Mon Cheri is a Belgian Golden ale, and it truly exemplified the style. Lovely clear, golden color, banana esters in the nose, plenty of clove and coriander flavors and aroma. Malty and sweet, but balanced, warmed nicely. It went down like smooth liquid gold and I wished I had more of it.

Since Roots was the event winner last year, I had to try their brew for this year. Sadly, the Farmhouse Bruin was pretty lackluster. Some sweetness and clove flavors, but ultimately not that exciting. It was kinda just a beer, more farmhouse than Belgian, and not even an interesting farmhouse style.

By 3pm, Hopworks had finally arrived and set up their keg of El Diablo. I hadn’t tried that last week when I went to Hopworks, so now was my chance! They served up a very generous taste (nearly a full glass) of lovely golden elixir. It had a strong cereal and malt aroma, plenty of banana and clove esters, and was quite drinkable. For an 8.9% beer it went down awfully easily. Dangerous!

Alameda Brewing’s Lucky Devil Belgian Golden Strong ale was pretty good. I don’t typically love their beers, but this one was better than most. Sweet, malty, a light citrus flavor and aroma to it. The sweetness was stronger as it warmed, which I didn’t love. It was a touch cloying.

By my 8th and 9th tastes, my taste buds were pretty fatigued. Max’s Fanno Creek Brewpub brought The Reverend’s Daughter, and it was simply thin and unimpressive after the Lucky Devil. And BJ’s Redrum Belgian ale just tasted like plain ol’ beer. That’s when I knew it was time to pack it in and ride my bike back home.

In the end, I cast my vote for Lompoc Brewing’s Mon Cheri as the winning beer of the event. It was the most authentically Belgian, enjoyable, and memorable of the bunch. I hope it wins!