You’ve had those spring moments, I’m sure. The first crack of the bat, the first time the air smells like humid warmth, the first ray of sunshine that makes you want to stand in it rather than hurry through it because it’s accompanied by a 4 degree wind chill, the mere glimpse of the first buds, a red red-a-robin-a-bop bop boppin’ along your front walk. Or, in this case, the first whiff of Dogfish Head’s “Namaste”. Just a hint of June, right on the nose.
Their description saves me a lot of typing, so here you go: “A witbier bursting with good karma [I wouldn’t have said that last bit – ed.]. Made with dried organic orange slices, fresh-cut lemongrass and a bit of coriander, this Belgian-style white beer is a great thirst quencher.” Preeeeecicely! The essence is undoubtably Belgian (thought much like Champagne, it’s not Belgium beer unless it’s from Belgium thus it’s a “Belgium-style” beer). A bit of butter, a hint of lemon, a nice warm yeasty coat to the tongue, a bright happy hop. In fact, there’s almost a bit of citric sodium in the smell, which is cool and weird. Delightful! Ok, in the interest of disclosure, I’m biased. If I were to drink no other beer for the rest of my natural life it would be Belgian. I could write an entire series on the differences, attractions, downfalls and screwing-up of Belgian beers. (Incidentally, my unnatural life would be populated by heavy IPAs, in the interest of contrast.)
A Belgium in a larger format, you ask? Won’t you be on your ear by the bottom? No, I say. You’re not that lucky, sir. At only 5% in 22oz ($5.99), it can’t do much damage unless you’re a lightweight who hasn’t eaten all day. And you know what? That’s ok because it’s so tasty that it would be a shame to get schnockered on a lovely warm weather beverage such as this.
Speaking of Belgium and its fantastic selection of adult beverages, it’s actually a pretty fascinating endeavor that these generations of monks support themselves solely on the production of beers which happen to be pretty amazing. I mean think about it, how often do you associate the neighborhood church with excellent pastries when they have a bake sale? Not bloody likely. This is an interesting block of information about the standards and practices of the whole shebang, even though it’s Wiki I know it’s accurate.
Also worth checking out are Belgium IPAs. Spicy, citric, just a little buttery. Delightful! And if you’re ever in Chicago, look up Haymarket Brewery and see if they have Angry Birds Belgian Rye IPA tapped because I can promise you that it’s a specimen of the sort and you will not be sorry.
Penny and the Beers 