25. Strong Belgian Ale

요약

• 25A(Belgian blonde ale) 고탄산, 홉+알콜의 쓴맛, 약한 이스티. 라거와 비슷하며 필스 소비층 공략용 
• 25B(Saison) 왈로니아 지방의 농번기 맥주. 시트러스계 에스테르, 스파이시, 비터&드라이 피니시. 초고탄산. 종류에 따라서는 쓴맛 대신 사워도 가능. 
• 26C(Belgian golden strong ale) 프루티, 스파이시, 홉+페놀의 비터니스가 특징. 초고탄산. 원조 '듀벨'을 기리며, 고도수를 나타내기 위해 'devil' 단어가 널리 쓰인다. 필스 소비층 공략용

25A. Belgian Blonde Ale 

Aroma

• malt aroma: lightly grainy
• hop aroma: light earthy and spicy
• subtle yeast character

Appearance

• light to deep gold
• Belgian lace  

Flavor

• malt flavor: light to moderate
• hop flavor: light
• hop(+alcohol) bitterness: medium 
• very soft yeast character

Mouthfeel

• medium body
• medium-high to high carbonation

Style comparison

• w/ Dubbel: similar strength
• w/ Belgian strong golden ale or Tripel: bit sweeter, less bitter

History and Comments

almost lager-like character. My Trappist or artisanal Belgian beers are called Blond but those are not representative this style. relatively recent development to further appeal to European Pils drinkers. 

Affligem Blond

25B. Saison

Aroma

• the esters moderate to high, oranges and lemons
• malt aroma: low
• hop aroma: low to moderate
• spicy notes, typically peppery
• herb or spice additions should not dominate
• (depend on versions)sourness low to moderate

Appearance

• pale golden~amber 
• Belgian lace

Flavor 

• medium-low to medium-high fruity and spicy
• malt flavor: low to medium 
• hop aroma: low to moderate
• hop bitterness: moderate to high(depend on versions, sourness)
• high attenuation, Saison should never finish sweet 

Mouthfeel

• light to medium body
• very high carbonation

Style comparison

• w/ Belgian blond ale: more highly attenuated, hoppy and bitter
• w/ Belgian tripel: more grainy, rustic character, spicier yeast character

History and Comments

there is no correlation between strength and color. often called Farmhouse ales in the US, but this term is not common in Europe where they are simply part of a larger grouping of artisanal ales. a provision ale originally brewed in Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium, for consuming during the active farming season.

Lefebvre Saison 1900

25C. Belgian Golden Strong Ale 

Aroma

• significant fruity esters
• moderate spiciness
• malt aroma: light
• hop(+alcohol) aroma: low to moderate
• moderate to moderately-low spicy, peppery phenols
• no hot alcohol or solventy aromas

Appearance

• yellow~medium gold
• Belgian lace

Flavor

• malt flavor: soft 
• hop flavor: low to moderate
• hop(+phenol) bitterness: medium to high
• low to moderately-low phenols
• soft and spicy alcohol, low to moderate

Mouthfeel

• light to medium body
• very high carbonation

Style comparison

• w/ Tripel: even paler, lighter-bodied and even crispier and drier

History and Comments

references to the devil are included in the names of many commercial examples of this style, referring to their potent alcoholic strength and as a tribute to the original example(Duvel). traditionally bottle-conditioned(or refermented in the bottle). originally developed by the Moortgat brewery after WWⅠ as a response to the growing popularity of Pilsner beers.

Duvel