FROM BELGIAN-STYLE TO WOODY-STYLE

Last month I did study to Belgian-style beers. While most of these beers were shipped from Belgium, I opened a few bottles from Oregon, Northern California, Southern California and San Diego and had few draft pours from local tasting rooms in Torrance and Long Beach California.

From this series, I enjoyed La Trappe's Quadrupel above all else. Beer Advocate rates the beer a 92%, which by their definition is outstanding. I rate the Quadrupel #1 from the Trappist and Belgian cannon. La Trappe is available in nearly every Trader Joes, Whole Foods and commercial grocery chain - and that is a great thing for you and I! Please support the Catholic Church and buy yourself a bottle.

For the month of October, while everyone is excited about drinking pumpkin/spiced beers, I decided to explore wood-aged/wood-specialty/smoked beers instead. I have an issue with ginger, nutmeg and mace in my beers, so marketing trends that encourage consumers to drink these beers leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Deviating from pumpkin/spiced drinks is no issue for me. That said and by design, I love drinking with the season, so anything that taste like wood or smoke reminds me of fall. The Beer Judge Certification Program states: Wood-Aged beers is intended for beer aged in wood without added alcohol character from previous use of the barrel. Bourbon- barrel or other similar beers should be entered as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer. To learn about the BCJP rules and gain a comprehensive description of the style, click here.

Thus far, I really enjoy Abita's Bourbon Street Imperial Stout. The brew is a small batch and aged in bourbon barrels. It pours black, sweet on the nose and explodes with notes of chocolate and booze. The mouthful feel is creamy and the overall kick is highly delightful. The beverage is 10% ABV by the shifter. I recommend it on a chilly night, perhaps next to a campfire.