Belgian Beer

Why a post on Belgian beer? Well, as I have been sitting here this fine Saturday evening I have enjoyed a couple of Belgian beers. Two are of the Hoegaarden brand: a white beer and the grand cru. The third was a Leffe and a brown beer. I think I like Belgian beer.

I have a good mate who is currently studying for a Masters of Law in New York at NYU. The last time we were in the US I convinced him to have a go at the Sam Adams (very much a boutique beer brand). He loved it! So, the other day whilst chatting, he in NYC and me in J-town, the subject of beer came up and some new Sam Adams flavours. Then the discussion turned to other beers and the Hoegaarden was described as being worth a taste test.

I was not sure where I would find it in Jakarta but I figured that one day I would make the trek over to Bugils in Taman Ria. Bugils started off as a bar owned by a Belgian (see comments -- this is not true! It is in fact owned by a group of Dutch business people) and has morphed into a business group with a number of bars and a travel agency and other business interests so I am told. My logic being that if the owner is Belgian he probably indulges his own tastes and some Belgian beers would be on the menu (see the earlier point -- if the fella was Belgian then my logic might hold true. The fact that he is Dutch means that the logic does not stand up to scrutiny).

However, a trip to Pacific Place, a new shopping mall and hotel complex in the SCBD, uncovered a Kem Chicks supermarket. Lo and behold the Belgian beer availability question was answered. I decided to start off slow and purchased just one bottle of each. Now that I have finished all three bottles I am left ruing the decision not to buy more.

I have decided that Belgian beer is pretty good.

I have also determined to do a beer appreciation course (I am guessing something like a wine appreciation course) so that I can post authoritative looking posts describing the unique palates and flavours and whatever else connoisseurs say. Although, for most of my mates the simple recommendation of that it goes down smooth, tastes good, slightly bitter, and ranging in alcohol content volume between 6.5% and 8.7%, will probably be enough information for them.

I have just done a little Internet searching I think I can learn this beer tasting stuff on line here.