The 5 best Belgian beers you’ve probably never heard of

Because Belgian Beer is so much more than Duvel and Chimay

You don’t have to live here to know that Belgium is a beer paradise. But in spite of the over 1,000 beers that are brewed in the Belgian Kingdom, we tend to come across the same dozens of varieties at most, both in bars and at the supermarket. 

Why limit us to Chimay and Tripel Karmeliet if these brews are just the tip of the Belgian beer iceberg? To help guide expats into the Belgian microbrew abyss, The Bulletin has teamed up with Dario Ceccarelli and Paul Pilavachi, owners of Belgian Beer Discovery, to advise us on the 5 Best Belgian Beers you’ve (or anyone) probably never heard of.

Dario and Paul are particularly versed in this matter as their job at Belgian Beer Discovery is to seek out small, out-of-the-way breweries in Belgium and distribute their precious beer in monthly “beer boxes” to anyone who signs up on their website for a subscription (read more about their beer concept here). “We only work with people who brew themselves, who do the actual job,” says Dario, “I go there and make sure that they’re brewing, that they have the equipment and so on. We want to work with those small brewers who actually enjoy brewing and who have a tradition.” 

The 5 Best Belgian Beers (and Breweries) you’ve probably never heard of:

1) Bastogne Pale Ale (BPA) - Brasserie de Bastogne
Dario & Paul: Nice beer in line with current trends for more hoppy and dry beers. The quality of this beer stands from the quality of the water used, the yiest from Orval and a passion that makes this brewery unique but unkonwn to the general public. Bastogne will be our selection in September.

2) Belle Fleur - De Dochter van de Korenaar
Dario & Paul: This is a pearl from Dutchman Ronald who moved to Belgium to give more credibility to his work.  His products have no match in Flanders.  He's simply the best. From Belle Fleur to L’Enfant Terrible (pictured above), all of the Korenaar’s beers are just superb. We are still negotiating to have their products in our beerbox for January or December.

Also not to miss from this brewery: L’Enfant Terrible

3) La Rulles Triple - Brasserie de Rulles
Dario: Another pearl. Although the Brasserie de Rulles brewer Gregory and I have very different visions about running a business, we found common ground around his beers. His seasonal beer, triple and stout are particularly worth the taste test.

Also not to miss from this brewery: La Rulles Brune, La Rulles Cuvé Meuilleurs Voeux

4) Wadesda Experimental Beers - Brasserie de la Senne
Dario: Brasserie de la Senne brewers Bernard and Yvan have performed miracles in the great city of Brussels. All their products are awesome but their 2014 beers and killing! If you can get your hands on one of their Wadesda experimental beers (pictured above), seize it! Bernard and Yvan experiment with new brewing techniques, and the result is some 50 crates of brewed gold once a blue moon. Otherwise, their classic beer like Taras Boulba and Stouterik are fantastic. I'm currently in Rome and I see these beers being much appreciated by locals.

Also not to miss from this brewery: Taras Boulba, Stouterik, Brusseleir

5) Gruut Inferno – Gruut
Paul & Dario: This is Annick de Splenter's brewery. She has constructed a microbrewery right in the centre of Gent.  She brews her beers according to ancient recipes: no hops!! In middle ages herbs were used.  Her beers and especially "inferno" are worth a try.  Her box will be on sale on our platform from August.

Also not to miss from this brewery: Gruut Wit, Gruut Amber

Many thanks to Dario and Paul in helping write this top list!

Photos courtesy of De Dochter van de Korenaar, Gruut, Brasserie de la Senne, Brasserie de Rulles