Brews and Blues Beer and Smokin’ Blues

St. Sebastiaan Golden

Brewery: Browerij Sterkens
Where: Meer, Belgium
Beer: Golden Ale
Style: Tripel
IBU: N/A
ABV: 7.7%

Not too long ago, I picked up a St. Sebastiaan Grand Reserve to celebrate finding a new job. It was so good I decided to try another from that line. Today's sampling from Brouwerij Sterkens in Meer, Belgium, is the Golden Ale. 

After looking back on the previous 104 beers I have tried in this project, I'm quickly learning that I really like some of the Belgians.  I recently purchased a book called "Brew Like A Monk" to learn a little more about what's involved in the creation of these beers.  I'll also be ramping up the Belgians in my tasting regimen in the coming weeks to explore it a little deeper.  The Saison is a style that I'm probably going to try to brew myself in the future once I figure out a way to maintain an elevated fermentation temperature for a week or so. 

This belgian tripel poured with a light golden color and a thick head.  The carbonation levels in these are usually a little higher than most.  The lightly sweet aroma comes through nicely and the bright and crisp fruity flavor is classic on this beer.  These beers are "Tripel" fermented to create the dry and crisp finish associated with the style, and this beer falls right in line with that concept.  As with the others of this style, the alcohol content will sneak up on you and should be respected in that manner.  This isn't a session beer :) 

Tomorrow, I plan to bottle the Hefeweizen I brewed two weeks ago.  I am also considering brewing an experimental hop bomb that I have been thinking about for a while.  I have the ingredients but I just haven't had the time to do it.  We'll see what happens...