This year might be the year of the Belgians. The prediction isn’t based on any sort of scientific study, just a feeling that I get looking at the local tap lists and Oregon beers coming out.
Last night at Bailey’s Tap Room, I sampled:
- Roots Flanders Red
- Russian River’s Salvation Belgian Brown
- Hale’s Ales Cerberus Tripel
- Dick’s Raspberry Tripel
I stumbled over to Deschutes, where they had their original D Straat Dubbel on tap, as well as their Maiden Oregon Belgian Amber, a 100% Oregon beer for our fair state’s 150th anniversary.
Given all those, plus Bridgeport’s Stumptown Tart (marionberry Belgian), Deschutes’ Dissident, the mass appeal of Coor’s Blue Moon Belgian White, and the fact that Budweiser is now owned by InBev, a Belgian conglomerate, I think the Oregon beer palate will be moving more toward a beer that goes well with pom frites and cyclocross.
What do you think? Are there more sours and Belgians in our future?