Dubbels, tripels, saisons, abbeys, lambics and so much more.
From tart and fruity lambics to spicy saisons, Belgian-style beers are a diverse bunch. It’s amazing that from such a small country, so many different types of beers could emerge.
If you like Belgians, or even if you’re on the fence when it comes to this wild and funky bunch, you’d be wise to make your way to the seventh annual Belgian Fest at Fisher Pavilion in Seattle on Jan. 30. There will be more than 100 different Belgian-style beers pouring from nearly 50 breweries, and it’s a guarantee that none of them will taste remotely the same.
“There’s something for everyone at Belgian Fest,” said Diamond Knot brand ambassador Ajen Birmingham. “You’re going to see beers you’d never see at other beer fests. These are beers are as close as you can get to real Belgians without traveling to Belgium.”
The only prerequisite for beers to pour at Belgian Fest is that they’re made with Belgian yeast. After that, it’s up to the brewers to let their mind run wild.
Here’s a look at some of the beers local breweries will be pouring Saturday:
American Brewing Company, Edmonds
American Brewing head brewer Adam Frantz will be taking two beers to Belgian Fest, including a Fall Harvest Sour that the Edmonds brewery entered at this past year’s Great American Beer Festival. The Fall Harvest Sour is a biere de garde (“beer for keeping,” in French) and the key, Frantz said, is that they continually crashed the temperature during the boil process, helping the saison yeast blend give the beer an up-front tartness instead of a sour finish.
“Many of the people who tasted it at GABF said there was no way we could get that flavor profile without contamination (from wild yeasts),” Frantz said. “But I guarantee there was no contamination.”
American is also bringing a Fireside Farmhouse, a combination of a Belgian saison and a winter warmer. The dark ale was the brewery’s winter seasonal and pours a dark brown with flavors of cocoa and sour cherry.
Beardslee Public House, Bothell
The recently opened Beardslee will be bringing three Belgian-style beers, including a tripel that draws on head brewer Drew Cluley’s experience at Pike Brewing. The Grapple Tripel, named after the hook that lumberjack’s use, is close in style to Pike’s famous Monk’s Uncle Tripel, but Cluley said he used American hops in the Grapple instead of Saaz hops. Like most tripels, it’s got a kick, weighing in at 9 percent ABV.
Beardslee is also bringing its Widow Maker Wit, a light, crisp Belgian-style wit (or “white”) that is on the brewery’s year-round taplist, and Dubbel Cut Saw, a rich and malty dubbel. The dubbel was aged in Mark Ryan Winery French oak merlot barrels for three months with black mission figs and golden raisins, giving the beer a dark fruit flavor profile, according to Cluley.
Diamond Knot Brewing, Mukilteo
Diamond Knot is returning to Belgian Fest for the first time since 2012. The Mukilteo brewery will be pouring an unnamed Belgian-style ale that is a cross between a Belgian blonde and a Belgian pale ale. Brewed with Belgian yeast, Fuggle hops and pilsner malts, the beer has a sweet grain flavor in the front, only to give way to a dry, sweet honey finish, said Birmingham.
Skookum Brewing, Arlington
Brewers Ron Walcher and Hollis Wood are no strangers to making Belgian beers. The brewery’s Belgian saison, Wudewasa, is a crowd favorite and the duo often make one-off beers that use Belgian yeasts. Skookum will be pouring two beers at Belgian Fest: Murder of Kraalen, which is the brewery’s Murder of Crows stout made with Belgian yeast, and Wudewasa aged in Quilceda Creek Cabernet barrels.
If you go
The seventh annual Belgian Fest will be pouring more than 100 Belgian-style beers crafted by Washington breweries, including local breweries Diamond Knot and Skookum, on Jan. 30 at Seattle Center. There will be two sessions. Session 1 is noon to 4 p.m. and session 2 is 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 advance or $40 at the door, and include a tasting glass and 10 tasting tokens. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit washingtonbeer.com/festivals/belgianfest.php.
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