Noel Christmas Weihnacht, Brouwerij Verhaeghe, Vichte

Noel Christmas Weihnacht,  Brouwerij Verhaeghe Vichte.

It may be a few weeks late for a Christmas beer, but this one just fell into my hands, and I feel that the bottle is probably too old to hang on to it for another year. I have no way of finding out how old it is, but it has a Best By of 1-30-16, so I, or, somebody should have drank it down five years ago. 

7.2 % ABV. Brouwerij Verhaeghe, Vichte, Belgium. 

Lightly hazed, amber/golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Spicy, malty. Citrus and plums. Gingerbread and lemon squares. Belgian yeast. Little bit of funk. All the Christmas feels. 

In the mouth: Medium body. Smooth. Malty. Slightly spicy. Very mellow. Makes me wonder what it was like fresh? 

Brouwerij Verhaeghe Barbe Ruby Ale

I picked this one up at The Four Firkins nearly two weeks ago, at my first visit to their new store. I'm rather ashamed that I had no idea it was so easy to get to by bicycle, so I'll be going back soon. I was just picking up one bottle, and Michael Wagner steered me to this ale, from the producers of Duchesse de Bourgogne.

Barbe Ruby Belgian Kriek Cherry Ale, Brouwerij Vaerhaeghe Vichte, 7.7% Alc./Vol.

Clouded look on this one, ruby to be sure, dark and dusky, with a small head, soon gone.

Aroma: Sweetness, cherries, some sour, some wild funk, a touch of rhubarb. Not too sweet, but getting close. Intriguing.

Taste: Drinking it in deep, it's a big, juicy thing. Medium-bodied, full and fruity, ending on a dry note. A very tasty kriek, this one. Just enough fruit, just enough sour kick.

I like it. Might be a bit much on the sweet side, but there's nothing wrong with that.

Vichtenaar Flemish Red Ale

Vichtenaar Flemish Ale, bottled and brewed by Brouwerij Verhaege-Vichte, Belgium. Vichtenaar is a West-Flemish red-brown ale matured in oak casks, has a fruity palate, pleasant sour flavor and refreshing finish. 5.1 % ABV, 11.2 oz. bottle.

Clear, reddish-brown color, off-white head, slim, but lasting.

Aroma: sour fruit, vinegar, cherries, oak. All well-integrated, nothing too forward. 

Drink it, now. Mild approach on the palate. The mild fruity flavor is there, the mild oak notes, the mild, light, lean body. 

(Read between the lines.)

Okay, I'll come right out and say it: if you're a big, "sour" fan, this will not be for you. If you are looking for a stepping stone, step right on this one. It's a gateway Flemish red/brown, but if you've already got the bug, you can skip this one.

Verhaeghe Echte Kriekenbier

September 2005 was the first time I cracked open a bottle with pen held to paper nearby. Drinking it now on tap, Belg-a-Rama #7 beer #3. Here are those notes:

Seein' it: Rosy red is the color, mainly clear, with a proud, fizzy, pinkish head that collapses assuredly, but slowly...

Smellin' it: big time cherry, massive sour notes, very vibrant and arousing.

Tastin' it: Oooo, wince, pucker, grimace, shudder, ...ahhhh!!!
Very tasty, when you enjoy that sensation. Lip smackin', with a recurring fruity flavor. Brilliantly bitter. Medium bodied, long, fruity, sour finish. Thoroughly spanks the palate, slapping cherry-whips on the tongue.

Just delicious.

Duchesse de Bourgogne Flanders Red Ale

April, 2005 was when I first sat down to transcribe my experiences with this very popular Flanders Red from Brouwerij Verhaeghe. Last night was my most recent experience consuming one, from the tap. (Belg-a-Rama #4, beer 5, and, yes, this may be the first one that contains no beer I've never had.) I share with you now those nearly 6 year old notes.


Sits in the snifter a a clear, deep ruby hue, nearing on brown, with a toasty, fizzy head holding down the fort.
Spicy aroma, and plenty sour, replete with associations of dark fruit, grapes, dates, blackberries, and a twisted hint of licorice. Wicked mix in this nose. I like it.
Oooo, puckeration! Mega-hit of sour on first sip! Backwash of sweetness, cherries and plums, but the tart stays on top. Next sip: Ooooweee, it's at it again! Molasses-like, and treacly in the taste, thinning out by the time the flavor leaves the palate and I'm ready for another swallow...ooo, quit doing that!
Around this time, the intense tartness mellows a bit, and the brew plays a little lighter in the mouth. Sweetness glides arm in arm with sour, and they play a tight ping pong match.
body is medium, lightly fruity, long-lived finish. Tasty thing, despite the challenges that must be met in approaching the brew. I'm going to relax with the remainder.

Oddly, it seems like I'm a novice at reds and sours, although I'd been drinking them off an on for many years.