Beer Aficionado The Sarge's Favorite Belgian Beers (and Top Bonus Dutch Beer)

Photo image: Troy Williams aka "The Sarge" is on the right; Roy Williams is on the left.

My name is Troy Williams, a Silver Fox Twin with my brother Roy Williams of Birmingham, Ala. and beer aficionado affectionately known by coworkers as “The Sarge.” A retired member of the U.S. Air Force, The Sarge is in his 31st year Serving America in Europe....and I love the beer here... especially Beer from Belgium and Germany!   

Here is a listing of my son Thomas and my favorite beers from Belgium (and my favorite beer from The Netherlands (Note: It is not Heineken):  

Chimay - The most famous Trappist beer ( for a reason)

Chimay Brewery is located at Scourmont Abbey, a Trappist monastery in Chimay, Hainaut, one of 13 breweries worldwide that produce Trappist beer. Chimay makes four ales: Chimay Rouge, Chimay Bleue, Chimay Blanche, and Chimay 150.

Rochefort - One of the strongest Trappist beers, its Rochefort 10 beer has 11.3% alcohol.  It has an amazing flavor that is known as one of the best beers in the world.

Rochefort Brewery (Brasserie de Rochefort) produces four Trappist beers in Belgium.  The brewery dates back to the Rochefort Abbey, a Trappist monastery founded in the 13th Century. The Rochefort Brewery was built in 1899, and has been updated several times.

Orval – Orval is a Trappist beer originating from southern Belgium inside Abbaye Notre-Dame d’Orval in the Gaume region of Belgium. Orval Brewery only makes one Trappist beer sold to the public, Orval (it is very good). Orval Brewery’s only other beer is available only to monks at the abbey.  

Jupiler - A classic beer, one of the most popular sold in Belgium. It is a pilsener type of beer that goes down easy. Every bar will serve Jupiler. The beer company even sponsors sporting events.

Jupiler’s origins date back to 1853 when brewery Piedbœuf opened in Jupille, Belgium. The first Jupiler beer debuted in 1950 under the name 'Jupiler Urtyp'. The current version of Jupiler was launched in 1966 as 'Jupiler 5' - a refreshing lager with 5% alcohol.

The number '5' was later removed from the name Jupiler.

Jupiler is the main sponsor of the Belgian Pro League, the top Belgian football league and also sponsors the Belgium natonal football team, with special cans sold featuring photos of the players. Jupiler is now brewed by beer company Anheuser Busch.

Straffe Hendrik Quadruple - One of the best in the Quadruple type of beer. A strong 11% dark beer originating from Bruges, Belgium.

 Straffe Hendrik Quadruple is made at Brouwerij De Halve Maan ("Half Moon Brewery"). founded in 1856 by Leon (also known as Henri I) Maes. It is one of the last remaining family breweries in Bruges.

 Brugse Zot – Known as “The crazy beer from Bruges,” Brugse Zot is a popular beer of many flavors. According to its website, Brugse Zot is “brewed naturally according to the family tradition and with a hint of craziness!” https://www.brugsezot.be/en

Bruges Zot is the last remaining brewery located in the heart of Bruges. My son Thomas and I, along with my identical twin brother Roy and his wife, Patrice, visited Bruges Zot brewery while on a tour of Bruges. It was amazing to learn the history of this famous beer.   

Leffe Ruby 

According to its website, Leffe Ruby is the first abbey beer ever to be combined with red fruit. If you like light, fruity beers, it is a must. The taste is refreshing and even slightly spicy.

 Leffe Blonde

Leffe  Blonde is described as “an authentic blond abbey beer with a slight hint of bitterness to it. If you prefer bitter over fruity, Leffe Blond is for you.

Westmalle Beer – I love this Trappist beer made at Westmalle Brewery in Westmalle Abbey, Belgium. The brewery makes three types of beers. My favorite of the three is Westmalle Tripel, a golden strong pale ale beer. 

My favorite Dutch beer:

 Hertog Jan - This is a bonus beer from The Netherlands. It is a classic Pilsener beer bought in stores and bars. Although Heineken is the best known Dutch beer, to me Hertog Jan is “much” better than Heineken.

Hertog Jan is a brewery in The Netherlands that was originally a brand only, made by distributor De Kikvorsch in Deest. In the early 1980s the brewery had played a major role in the revival of beer culture in the Netherlands. In 1995, Hertog Jan became part of  Interbrew, later known as InBev and now named Anheuser-Busch InBev. In 1998, Hertog Jan was renamed Hertog Jan Brouwerij, named after John I, the Duke of Brabant.