My Trip to BELGIUM | How to Brew TRAPPIST and ABBEY Ales | Belgian Beer Culture | Meeting a MONK

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  • Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
  • In February-March, I spent 10 days visiting future family in Belgium AKA Beer Mecca. While it was primarily a family visit, I still maximized the time for trying all kinds of Belgian beers, learning how to brew them, and taking in the amazing beer culture in Belgium. At the end of this video I compiled everything I learned about how to make Trappist and Abbey-style beers for you guys. Enjoy!
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    0:00 Trip overview
    1:00 Why travel to Belgium?
    1:58 Landscapes and languages
    2:53 Food!
    3:22 Belgian beer culture
    5:50 Belgian ales on draft vs bottle conditioned
    6:35 Visiting Chimay and talking with a Trappist Monk
    10:22 Visiting Westvleteren
    12:35 Trappist vs Abbey beers
    13:41 Belgian sour ales
    14:38 Knowledge gained - HOW TO BREW Trappist/Abbey ales
    16:45 All Belgian yeast strains available to homebrewers
    18:12 HOW TO FERMENT Trappist/Abbey ales
    20:05 Future plans
    20:22 Touristy things
    21:24 All of the beer!!
    #belgium #beer #brewing #trappist #belgian #travel #abbey #chimay #westvleteren #monks #yeast

Комментарии • 232

  • @TheApartmentBrewer
    @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад +8

    Based on some further research and some very helpful comments, I've found Achel's yeast is also the Westmalle Strain (Wyeast 3787, WLP530, IMperial Triple DOuble) and Orval's strain is WLP510 Bastogne Ale

    • @wonyankeesays5661
      @wonyankeesays5661 2 года назад

      I BREW WHILE RVing and when I travel to far away places,,,big island Hawaii jungle brew was one of my funest

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Sounds amazing!

    • @onyva3256
      @onyva3256 3 месяца назад

      I’m Belgian and a beer culture aficionado and I learned things in your video - excellently researched and presented, thank you. I had no idea Orval is classified as a tripel (which is bonkers, but still). Interesting on draft vs. bottle conditioned - I’ve always preferred draft when you can find it, and it probably is because it’s less carbonated.

  • @MoestuinTV
    @MoestuinTV 2 года назад +3

    As a Flemmish Belgian, I would say : Goed gedaan ! grts Tom

  • @Bullsbrew551
    @Bullsbrew551 2 года назад +19

    In my opinion one of if not your best video’s. I appreciate history and WW11 history. When you think about what you (we) do in your apartment experiencing the history and origins of brewing beer that is hundreds and even thousands of years old. These small rural farm towns in Europe with their brewing history allows us to brew beer in our homes today. Fascinating! Well done video. Thank you.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Wow, that means a lot, thank you! I did put a lot of work into this one lol. It was a phenomenal experience that I'd like to do again!

  • @garylynn453
    @garylynn453 2 года назад +6

    I was in The Army stationed in Germany with Belgium on a Nuclear Missile Site. They always took me to places in Belgium and monasteries that were like remote to the main ones. Quite interesting in how they made their beer to in actual breweries. My beer I always make...and I was required to drink there was Duvel...great times. This was back in 1978 till 1988 while I was in US ARMY...then had to go back stateside

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад +1

      That sounds like a great duty station experience! Duvel is among my favorites as well!

  • @chrisbroadbent7778
    @chrisbroadbent7778 2 года назад +4

    My trip through Belgium is what really got me hooked on beers
    Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel !!! Absolute life changer !!!
    Edit: Saw the Brugse Zot at the end, delicious. I had a few too many if those too!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Nice!! I never saw that one but it will be on the list for when I return!

  • @Dcalzaretta
    @Dcalzaretta 2 года назад +5

    In the end of September-October 2019 I spent two weeks bicycling to Trappist breweries with a friend, and we made it to six: Westmalle, Chimay, Orval, La Trappe, Achel, and Westvleteren. Such a fantastic time! The crowds were small, the cycling was fantastic, and the people were wonderful. We stayed at Chimay and were the only ones in the hotel. I'd love to go back again!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Wow, what a great experience that must have been!! Also that is a great way to burn off the calories from all the beer haha! Shoulder season is a great time to visit Europe.

    • @wellingtonmoreira115
      @wellingtonmoreira115 Год назад

      thats great. Did you do by yourself? or with a tour company?

  • @bogdanradoi590
    @bogdanradoi590 2 года назад +1

    Welcome to Europe! Keep explore it ! Next time try the Bavarian Abbeys …

  • @timpolster
    @timpolster Год назад +1

    Thanks for sharing your experience. Such a great place and the beers stay in your memory forever. So fresh and tasty. Tripel Karmeliet is probably my favorite. I was very German focused with my brew admiration until I went on that trip. A lifetime of brewing to try and match at the homebrew level! Enjoying your channel.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  Год назад +1

      It really is a very special place. The beers are incredible and served like water, just a very interesting culture as well. I need to get myself to Germany to experience that beer culture sometime as well. Glad you are enjoying the channel!

  • @moedogger21
    @moedogger21 Год назад

    Great video! Love the beer travel vids

  • @jquigley0412
    @jquigley0412 2 года назад

    Wow amazing video man!

  • @marklapadura9412
    @marklapadura9412 2 года назад

    Just an awesome video!

  • @rivrivrivera2916
    @rivrivrivera2916 2 года назад

    Thanks for sharing . Great video !!

  • @Bushwookie_18
    @Bushwookie_18 2 года назад

    Such a great video.

  • @Les1Tom
    @Les1Tom 2 года назад +4

    Well done on a fantastic video. I'm a huge fan of Belgian beer especially the Trappist types and your overview of the country of Belgium makes me want to visit it for it's culture and of course it's beer.

  • @deckerhand12
    @deckerhand12 2 года назад

    What an experience you had that’s awesome

  • @palo569
    @palo569 2 года назад

    i m glad you enjoyed my country, nice video

  • @jjdawg9918
    @jjdawg9918 2 года назад

    Great job! Anything Belgium and i'll be here

  • @urabusable
    @urabusable 2 года назад +1

    Nice to see that you enjoy my country as i enjoy my trips to USA. So much strong beers in a week, respect!

  • @townsendtopper
    @townsendtopper 2 года назад

    Very cool! Thank you for sharing such an awesome trip, and the info you picked up along the way! ☺️

  • @ElementaryBrewingCo
    @ElementaryBrewingCo 2 года назад

    Oh man that sounds like an awesome trip!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

  • @TroubleBrewing
    @TroubleBrewing 2 года назад

    I loved this! Im a big fan of these styles as well. Looks like you had alot of fun and learned alot.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      I'm glad Matt! I had an amazing time and I would go back in a heartbeat

  • @mattsawdy9747
    @mattsawdy9747 2 года назад

    Awesome vid. Really looking forward to the series of beers. Nice job

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Glad you enjoyed it so much! I'm very excited to get Brewing!

  • @elsydro8064
    @elsydro8064 2 года назад

    Wow thanks for sharing, love Belgium beers 🍺

  • @javierotero3404
    @javierotero3404 2 года назад

    Great video! Love it! Thanks!

  • @azerbouf
    @azerbouf 2 года назад

    Such an interesting story. Thanks for making this video, I found a lot of great and new stuff on this one, especially that they are not serving draft beer in most of the places.

  • @hubb412
    @hubb412 2 года назад

    Great vid. Keep this great content coming mydude.

  • @ChutesBrewing
    @ChutesBrewing 2 года назад

    Super awesome you had the opportunity to experience that! Definitely a bucket list item for me. 🍻

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Unbelievable trip. You should go sometime if you get the chance!

  • @dadisphat6426
    @dadisphat6426 2 года назад

    I’m Going to Belgium this month and can’t wait! Good video from a home brewer perspective. Thanks!

  • @felipesparks5267
    @felipesparks5267 2 года назад +2

    Nice work. I spent a year studying abroad back in 1997 and fell in love with these beers as a 19 year old at the time. I really hope there’s a resurgence of popularity here in America once the haze craze starts to wane (which I think it is).

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      They really are something else entirely, I was very happy to have had the opportunity, if only I had more time to stay! I agree with you. I think there is a genuine appreciation for Americanized Belgian beer that is growing.

  • @ReneeAnduagaArias
    @ReneeAnduagaArias 2 года назад

    This video made my heart so happy! I'm so glad you were able to experience Belgium and their beers :D Thank you for uploading this.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад +1

      I'm glad!! It was an amazing place to visit and I had a phenomenal time!

  • @barrycranston5122
    @barrycranston5122 2 года назад

    Very informative. Thank you.

  • @tooidiotsbrewingcompany8137
    @tooidiotsbrewingcompany8137 2 года назад

    Awesome Video, Thanks for sharing.

  • @AddkisonAlesAndLagers
    @AddkisonAlesAndLagers 2 года назад

    Fantastic video and information. I really want to travel to Belgium and Germany for beer and more. Thanks for sharing!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Its well worth it, and not just for the beer! Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @TrainwreckBxl
    @TrainwreckBxl Год назад

    Great video! Very well researched. Thank you from Belgium

  • @jdmlong
    @jdmlong 2 года назад

    Great video, what a great trip. Belgian beers are so so great I need some.

  • @RiggerBrew
    @RiggerBrew 2 года назад

    Thank you for sharing your trip! A beautiful country indeed...

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Glad you enjoyed the video! It was a fantastic experience

  • @dbeatdano498
    @dbeatdano498 2 года назад +1

    A great and very inspiring video. I always like to brew a few Belgian beers every year and your video inspired me to refine my techniques and simplify my recipes. Thanks for great content as always!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      I'm glad you enjoyed it so much, and I'm glad I can spread the inspiration!

  • @herbbowers769
    @herbbowers769 2 года назад +1

    Steve, thanks for the preview.. Going on a hiking/biking tour of Belgium breweries in September.

  • @jongerenski1545
    @jongerenski1545 2 года назад

    Loved the video. Just put a hold on Brew like a monk at my local library! Thanks for all the info

  • @MrSausagehead
    @MrSausagehead 2 года назад

    Nice video. I worked in genk in Belgium for a while and loved the beer. I loved your grin in every picture i bet you had a great time.👍👍👍

  • @tommanning7337
    @tommanning7337 2 года назад

    Very cool and very interesting.
    Now THATS a vacation!!!
    👍🏻👍🏻🍺🍺

  • @gerardnatale2387
    @gerardnatale2387 2 года назад

    Wow, it looks like you had an incredible trip! Thanks for sharing. Your video came out excellent! It was like an episode of a PBS series. It's so packed with info that I will need to watch it again. Now I want to go back to the Omme Gang Brewery and sample some more beer! Cheers!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад +1

      Wow, thank you so much!! I put a lot of time and effort into this one. Ommegamg and Boulevard make the most authentic Belgian ales I've had while in the US and they are always worth it!

  • @Jannes-pj4cd
    @Jannes-pj4cd 2 года назад +1

    As a beer and history lover living in the Netherlands I would love to go there one day, to visit Waterloo for example and I’d love to visit a belgian brewery.

  • @dalejoy193
    @dalejoy193 Год назад

    Well put together video (Artistic) of the great beers of Belgium. You look like you had a blast, thanks for sharing your experience.

  • @18centwood
    @18centwood 2 года назад

    Can't wait for the Belgian vids and beers. My favorite style

  • @matthewmclean6571
    @matthewmclean6571 2 года назад +1

    Awesome video and trip! I was really lucky to live along the France/Belgium border from 2016-2019. It was heaven. This video takes me straight back. Awesome.

  • @MandyMichels
    @MandyMichels Год назад +1

    Not sure why it took me so long to see this video, but I am SO glad I finally did! I very much appreciated your great commentary, and the video clips that you included were excellent. Definitely one of my favorites from you. I adore Belgium (especially Bruges) and I enjoyed watching this very nostalgic - for me - video. I am patiently waiting to open that bottle of Belgian Strong you so generously gifted to me! Cheers 🍻

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  Год назад +1

      I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! I had the time of my life there. I hope you really enjoy the beer! Thanks again for everything!!

  • @jcinsaniac
    @jcinsaniac 2 года назад

    Belgians are an interest and a passion...can't wait to see what you brew...really, really great video.

  • @TTweten77
    @TTweten77 2 года назад

    Visited Belgium in late 2021, very nice to see some familiar spaces in your collage!

  • @moosestache1769
    @moosestache1769 2 года назад

    Solid video, takes me back a few years to when I was stationed in Germany and England (twice).

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Thank you! Sounds like you had some excellent duty stations!

  • @Jango1989
    @Jango1989 2 года назад

    Wow!
    I love Belgium beer so much! So jelly.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад +1

      Its really quite unique and rich historically as well as in flavor. Cheers!

  • @kaniwapi8711
    @kaniwapi8711 2 года назад

    Awesome video. This video must have been a lot of editing. Belgian has a lot to offer besides the beer. Thanks for all of the tips about abbey styles and combining it with history and food. Very well done.🍺

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      It took a long time to put together, I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! I had a phenomenal experience there, and not just with the beer, it was all fantastic!

  • @johncspine2787
    @johncspine2787 2 года назад

    My trip to Europe to play 13 different concerts in 15 gays was a blur, but I got to see the hops fields coming up in spring in Germany and see Vienna, Llubjana, Maribor, zillion tiny German towns, and taste awesome beer. I learned to homebrew after tasting real Kolsch, served to us as we came off the stage in our formal tails still holding our instruments in Cologne..what an experience..! Travel when you’re young and energetic ppl, life catches up with you later and it can become quite difficult, so, get out there and experience this big world..there’s lots to see and do..!

    • @johncspine2787
      @johncspine2787 2 года назад

      Umm..15 “days,” that should say..

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Wow, that's quite the fast paced trip! Beer is indeed something else in Europe and it is often an integral part of the culture in many places. Cheers!

    • @johncspine2787
      @johncspine2787 2 года назад

      @@TheApartmentBrewer yeah! After aboutb4 days, you’d say to a friend “meet in my room later, it’s…” then you’d have to get your key out because you couldn’t remember what your room number was..I think we only had one day off in the middle..me and my section mates got picked up in Germany by the man who manufactured our instruments..he took us to lunch and to his shop where we bought new stuff and saw how our horns were made.

  • @giuseppegallocorvus
    @giuseppegallocorvus Год назад

    Nice video! I have lived in Belgium for a year and I was excited about the trappist/abbey style when I first got there. Then I fell in love with Lambics and Gueuzes and became a regular visitor at the amazing Cantillon brewery in Brussels, every time I visit the friends I made there. Only a couple years after I left flemish reds and oude bruin styles started to seriously grow on me! ...and I used to think Belgium was a boring place!🤣
    I strongly recommend Cantillon brewery to anybody interested in beer coming to Europe: you can have a tour of the small brewery and taste the different steps of aging, if you are there in the right time of the year. It is made with early 20th century equipment and the brewmaster is a real rockstar of the beer world (yeah, you probably know this already...)
    Well, looking foward to see the video on your next trip to Belgium, and if you are in need tips about places to drink in Brux, just let me know!

  • @MinnesotaFats
    @MinnesotaFats 2 года назад +1

    De Glazen Toren saison is my favorite beer at the moment. Brewed in Belgium of course. Aged Orval is up there too. Great video!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Orval was really interesting to have, naturally the orval we have in the states is a bit older but the fresher version is a bit different!

  • @birdybro9403
    @birdybro9403 2 года назад

    What a great experience.Hopefully you gained a lot of insight into the beers and are able to put this into practice!🍻

  • @icactus27
    @icactus27 2 года назад

    Really excellent! The time you spend on background, history, and the technical info is much appreciated when so much of RUclips is becoming garbage click bate. I was literally looking at the head quality on one of my beers I hadn't had in a while when you mentioned step mashing. So I checked my notes and realize it was the one time I did a step mash! I think I have under appreciated what step mashing can do... Thanks as always for the insights!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! I really try not to be too click-baity with this channel, it does get very annoying when people do that. Cheers!

  • @jacoby7114
    @jacoby7114 2 года назад

    Love Achouffe, my favorite brewery in the world! Went there a few years ago while visiting Germany. So glad u got to have one. Been making clones of that for a couple years!

  • @pv4669
    @pv4669 Год назад

    Great video, well done! I am glad you got to make the journey. I was fortunate to have worked for a Belgian company for over 10 years and got to make the trip to main office a couple of times a year. Not too far from the sign at the beginning of the town of Roselare. I worked in Meulebeke. The Belgian beer culture is phenomenal and the people are great. As you said every home brewer should try to get there once in their life. Skal!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  Год назад

      It was a fantastic place to visit, it's cool you spotted a familiar sight in this video!

  • @jabroni982
    @jabroni982 Год назад

    After homebrewing for just over a year, I had a Flanders red (duchesse de Bourgogne) for the first time and I made it a goal of mine to go on a trip like this in Belgium. I'm happy you were able to do this. Thanks for sharing.

  • @Sjorsbikes
    @Sjorsbikes 2 года назад

    Great video!

  • @gnomebrewing
    @gnomebrewing 2 года назад

    I can't wait to visit there myself. Watching 👀 closely!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      You would love it!! For plenty of reasons besides beer tourism Belgium is an amazing country to visit!

  • @Louis.slmn93
    @Louis.slmn93 Год назад

    hey , glad you enjoyed your trip to belgium , i live next to pairi daiza :)

  • @toddgleeson7997
    @toddgleeson7997 2 года назад

    If I could give this video ten thumbs up, I would. Looks like an amazing time.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Thank you so much!! It was a phenomenal experience I'd highly recommend to any beer lover!

  • @kirkbodnar3854
    @kirkbodnar3854 2 года назад +2

    This was great - thoroughly enjoyed the video. I used to live in Düsseldorf Germany and I often spent my weekends touring around Belgium. Although the Westvleteren beers are very hyped, I believe they entirely live up to their legend. I think the blonde is possibly my favorite beer of all time.
    Next time you go it is worth it to visit one of the famous bars, such as, Kulminator in Antwerp. They have multiple years of most of the Abbey beers, and others of course, so you can do multi-year vertical tastings if you like.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      I really would have loved to go to a place like that. Unfortunately never set foot in Antwerp or Brussels besides the airport, so hopefully next time I can check that sort of thing out. Totally agree on the Westy beers, they are 100% worth the hype!

  • @darrellluster8750
    @darrellluster8750 2 года назад +1

    While I anxiously look forward to the grain to glass videos I’m in agreement with those that think this is the best yet. I’m a big fan of Abbey/Trappist beers. Being able to see and learn more about them just adds to my interest. You’re giving Rick Steves a run for the money with this one!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Thanks for the kind words!! I put a ton of time and effort into this video so I am very glad it paid off. Cheers!

  • @bramstynen9352
    @bramstynen9352 2 года назад +1

    Nice to see the love for my home country :) Good beer is taken somewhat for granted in Belgium so it took me moving to Canada to fully appreciate the beer culture, both Belgian and North American. Leuven (Louvain) would be my recommendation, a beautiful town with a vibrant university scene. Great video!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад +1

      I really enjoyed my time there. I suppose the same might be true for me, I take the new england beer culture for granted. It was hard to find a good IPA out there

    • @nicolasemboloni2734
      @nicolasemboloni2734 Год назад

      @@TheApartmentBrewer You can find some (very) good IPAs in Belgium, you just have to search in the right places, especially in smaller breweries. It is both a cultural and an economic thing, younger brewers want to make something different from the tradition and at the same time it is easier to get a foothold in the market.
      Belgium is really a lovely place and is worth a visit, not only for beer lovers.

  • @justinanderson2129
    @justinanderson2129 2 года назад

    My wife and I are going to Belgium in September on our own beer vacation. Thanks for this video. We can’t wait to be there!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      You are going to have an amazing time! I highly recommend going to either of the Trappist monasteries I visited, but I guarantee you any place you visit will be fantastic. Be sure to check out the other comments to see other people's recommendations as well!

    • @justinanderson2129
      @justinanderson2129 2 года назад

      @@TheApartmentBrewer dude I got the most killer itinerary planned out. We’re staying at Het Anker, St Bernardus, and Chimay. Visiting at least 26 breweries, hitting the best beer bars and restaurants. Visiting many historic places as well. Going to be the trip of a lifetime.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Have fun!!

    • @wimve4719
      @wimve4719 2 года назад

      From BE, very welcome! Enjoy 🙂

  • @NikitaVorontsov
    @NikitaVorontsov 2 года назад

    Looking forward to some enlightened Belgian Beers coming up soon hopefully!

  • @JohnL9013
    @JohnL9013 2 года назад +1

    Dude, been to Belgium for 2 weeks myself (mostly in Brugges). Amazing country, amazing beer. Stayed at St. Bernardus but based on your review I'll have to stay at Chimay in the future for sure. The beer there is just unreal. BTW the 2019 Chimay BA beer is literally my #1 all time beer I've ever had, period. I've had also the 2017 and 2018 Chimay BA beers but neither were half as good.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад +1

      St Bernardus has some incredible beer indeed! But yeah, the barrel aged Chimay is unbelievably good!! I'm happy I snagged some. Cheers!

  • @HOMEBREW4LIFE
    @HOMEBREW4LIFE 2 года назад

    Catching up on your backlog now my dude!

  • @fernandomadrid9612
    @fernandomadrid9612 2 года назад

    Great vídeo Man. I'm from Brasil and I read the book How to brew like a monk and a o got intrested about trappists beers. A made the quadruppel recipe from that book and that was amazing beer. I'm waiting some New tips from you. Kkkkk.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Its an excellent book! Stay tuned, there will be a quadrupel coming!

    • @fernandomadrid9612
      @fernandomadrid9612 2 года назад

      @@TheApartmentBrewer Im trying to age mine, but do not drink those bottles is so dificult.....kkkkk

  • @fabredehon
    @fabredehon Год назад

    Next time you go to Belgium, you should definitely try the drie fonteinen (3 fonteinen) brewery, they make absolutely delicious gueuze, lambic and kriek. Those beers are among the best ones in Belgium (in that style) and are not that easy to get ! (Special mention for the special Schaerbeek cherry kriek, which is made with the Brussels' cherry cultivar that is only available in people's garden and stuff in Schaerbeek - extra limited beer).
    Glad you liked Belgium !

  • @gregmorris2022
    @gregmorris2022 2 года назад

    Awesome video Brah. Amazing footage and editing. Enjoyed this immensely.
    So when are you brewing a Westy 12 clone?

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад +1

      Thank you! It took a while to put together, but its one of my favorite videos I've made in a while. I am going to get going on a Westy 12 inspired Belgian Dark Strong Ale, but that probably won't be out for a while. But a blonde similar to Westy 6 is a priority for a quicker video!

  • @AdamCroweTuba
    @AdamCroweTuba 2 года назад

    Nice to see the Spencer Trappist ale in Belgium!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Right?? The Spencer minks went to Chimay to train in brewing, Fr. Jacques had a few stories about them

  • @ronnyskaar3737
    @ronnyskaar3737 2 года назад +1

    What a pleasent surprise to get this wonderfull documentary from Belgium. I love belgian beer, and have a tripel in the keg waiting to mature. My belgian friend gave me some bottles of Westvleteren 12 for Christmas that he bought at the abbey. Luckily Belgium never had the purity-laws, and could develop exiting beers. I agree, the 12 is great! Should we try a clone? Best from Norway

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Excellent!! I'm glad you liked it so much, this was one of my favorite videos to produce in a while and the trip was incredible. I'll be brewing up a Westy 12 inspired Belgian Dark Strong Ale soon!

    • @ronnyskaar3737
      @ronnyskaar3737 2 года назад

      @@TheApartmentBrewer Great! I look very much forward to it.

  • @InWeCome
    @InWeCome 2 года назад

    Westmalle Tripel is my all-time favorite, although i've never had Westvleteren!

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Westmalle tripel was probably my favorite of the tripels I had there! Any of the Westvleteren is well worth it, although my favorites are the blonde and the 12

  • @andrevangijsel957
    @andrevangijsel957 2 года назад

    Hope you had a great time here come visit us again 😁. I can recommend visting brewery het anker in Mechelen. They produce one of the best dark strong ales I ever tasted. It’s called Gouden Carolus Imperial Dark.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад +1

      I can't wait to come back! I'll definitely put that on the list, thank you!

  • @highdef8152
    @highdef8152 2 года назад

    the not being able to get beer because its from a monastery and only at certain times reminds me of this one episode of 3 sheets where Zane was in Belgium and the bartender had this bottle he couldn't show on camera because it was so secret to the area.

  • @zarghroth
    @zarghroth 2 года назад

    Fun fact: even international craft beer is cheaper in Belgium, by a lot. They have special stores on the BE/NL border that only sell beer, gasoline and tobacco. De Caigny in Essen is one of the biggest, definitely worth a visit if you are around.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Seems to me a lot of things were a little bit cheaper than expected. The trip really wasn't too hard on the wallet!

  • @jonthebeau4653
    @jonthebeau4653 2 года назад

    Wlp510 Bastogne is supposed to be Orval's base yeast. I brewed with it and Orval dregs trying to emulate the 🐐 before giving up and buying a couple cases. Great video hoping to get to Belgium for a beercation before I die.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад +1

      I was not aware of that, thanks for the info! It's well worth traveling to Belgium, plus the younger Orval is a little bit different than the more aged stuff we get here in the US!

  • @richardwilkinson77
    @richardwilkinson77 2 года назад +2

    Hi from the UK! What an amazing trip! Most people I know don't understand why I obsess about Belgian beer so much. I didn't see them in your montage but I hope you got to try Delerium Tremens (one of my absolute faves) and Kwak served in its distinctive bulb shaped glass?
    Also I saw a bottle of Tynt Meadow in one of the pictures. You're aware that it's actually an English Trappist beer brewed in Leicestershire?

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      I actually somehow managed not to have any delirium or Kwak while I was there unfortunately. I've had it a few times here in the US though, outstanding beer!

  • @seriomarkj
    @seriomarkj 2 года назад

    Damn that sounds like a good time

  • @patrickmcphail9637
    @patrickmcphail9637 2 года назад +1

    Easily one of the best places to visit in Europe. I hope you had an opportunity to take a brewery tour at De Halve Maan while in Brugge. Next time you go to Belgium, go to Ghent. It is a more lively town than Brugge, but maintains the same historical charm. Loved your beer montage. It had me going through old photos and planning a new trip..:)

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Sadly I didn't get to visit that brewery but I'm hoping next time to spend some more time in the north. I would love the check out Ghent!

    • @PDVism
      @PDVism 9 месяцев назад

      @@TheApartmentBrewer If and when you do visit Ghent don't forget to check out the Ghent city brewery that produces several styles of Gruut beer (= beer made without hops)

  • @GentleGiantFan
    @GentleGiantFan 2 года назад

    Probably my favorite episode to date. Kinda reminded me of The Booze Traveler show but a bit more reserved and serious (in a good way).I've little experience with Trappist beers, but what I've had I thoroughly enjoyed.
    Do you think you'll do a Belgian series like you did pilsners? That would be interesting to see how your versions would compare to what you sampled.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Glad you enjoyed it so much!! I am definitely planning on doing a Belgian ale series for sure. Doubt I can make beer that good, but I can try!

  • @christopherhay3358
    @christopherhay3358 2 года назад

    Looks like a great trip. Hope you didn't get too drunk in front of the future I laws!
    I was lucky enough to find Cantillon Gueze on tap in bruges.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      It was a great time, and a great time was had by all haha. What a great find!

  • @dt2243
    @dt2243 2 года назад

    Laughed out loud at work when you said "I ate a shameful amount if cheese"

  • @KnobbyWobby
    @KnobbyWobby Год назад

    Lovely video, as a Belgian I really enjoyed it. Just a minor side note, since COVID, Westvleteren can now be bought online as well. It is still limited and only available when announced on their calendar (you need to remember to check that once in a while). Just wish we had a more prosperous homebrewing and craft brewing scene here, because I am starving for decent IPA's.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  Год назад

      True, but you still can only pick it up at the abbey, right? Can't wait to come back to Belgium!

    • @lucaparolin5623
      @lucaparolin5623 Год назад

      Brussels Beer Project does a selection of good IPAs brewed with American hops...check it out if you can! 😉

  • @CascadesHomebrew
    @CascadesHomebrew 2 года назад

    I really enjoyed the video. I am looking forward to your Belgian beer content. It sounds like you should get plenty of opportunities to revisit, just to visit the in-laws of course! The thing that brewing Belgians has taught me is just how important the fermentation process is for these beers. There is no schedule that fits all yeast and you can get quite different beers at 65F vs 75F vs 85F. BTW, how did your Brett Saison age?

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад +1

      Very true!! These beers are absolutely made in the fermentation! The Saison aged very nicely for the first several months when I aged it at room temperature, but I really should have kept it in bottles stored warmer. It was on tap for a few months and hence was stored pretty cold, and I noticed a shift to the more phenolic brett character as it aged cold. Got a bit rubbery at the end unfortunately.

  • @packattack2893
    @packattack2893 2 года назад

    Omg!! That is in my bucket list; to travel to Belgium's Trappist Breweries especially Chimay and Rochefort. If you ever homebrew a Dubbel, use Belgian D2 Candi Syrup👍🏼 Comes in a 2lb blue plastic bag--Perfect! All other Candi's pale in comparison.

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      It was so amazing!

    • @packattack2893
      @packattack2893 2 года назад

      My bad.....1lb packages or containers. It is very hard to find though. Wish I knew how to send you a pic.

  • @hanstandt9587
    @hanstandt9587 2 месяца назад

    Thanks, I'm a west Flanders Flemish. love west-Vleteren. But I live now in Wallonie and I also love Roche Fort 10.
    TRAPPIST WESTVLETEREN is the best. BUT very difficult to get ! Even for me as a Belgian.

  • @craigpaige7065
    @craigpaige7065 11 месяцев назад

    Nice video ashame you didn't try the number one Tripel in the world from Brugge. De Garre my friend it is devine.

  • @haydenhollenbaugh3958
    @haydenhollenbaugh3958 2 года назад

    It can still fit into your kviek series. You could dry yeast kviek a tripel and condition it in the keg with the dry Belgian yeast you mentioned. Maybe get just as much character from the conditioning?? Who knows

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Interesting idea! Although I think I want to stick with a single strain for the tripel for now. That will probably be one of the last one I make since I really want to be sure I get it right. I love tripels

  • @perrymattes4285
    @perrymattes4285 2 года назад

    I travel a lot. Just this spring I have to go to France and Germany. I don’t know if I will get to Brussels but good video. !!!
    Any good German recommends ??

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Didn't get a chance to travel to Germany this time but hopefully in the future!

  • @vladsquared
    @vladsquared 2 года назад

    You talk about head retention and dry body etc from step mashing, however Genus brewing for example had better results from single infusion. Do you think this is due to the less modified Belgian malt?

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      The step mashing regimen is totally dependent on the malt. I think Stan Hieroynmus says something in Brew Like a Monk to the effect of always mash to the malts spec sheet and not to the recipe.

  • @zakksrage
    @zakksrage 2 года назад

    T58 is a safe bet for any Belgium beer and is a ultra fast fermenter for a dry yeast

  • @PaulRiedstra
    @PaulRiedstra 2 года назад +1

    Yeah, you pay 7 dollars for a Chimay Blue in the US and we pay a crazy amount of Euro's for a Goose Island BCBS or a Fremont for example... Import prizes are crazy...

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад +1

      That's true, it definitely goes both ways! Thanks for watching!

  • @roelantverhoeven371
    @roelantverhoeven371 Год назад

    tripel d'anvers (tripel of antwerp) in Bruges? that's risky ;p the second biggest rivalry (or maybe even the biggest) is between dutch speakers of the two sides of the scheldt river :'D

  • @animefuel405
    @animefuel405 2 года назад

    Question for you, how did you bring back the beer you in bottles? Just in a check-in bag?

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Yup, very carefully packed in checked luggage...which i unfortunately paid an overweight fee for

    • @animefuel405
      @animefuel405 2 года назад

      @@TheApartmentBrewer ahh I see, I'm planning on visiting Belgium and the Netherlands in May as part of one of the classes offered for my Brewing minor. I'm excited and also want to bring some beer back as well especially after the prices you showed in your video lol

  • @johncspine2787
    @johncspine2787 2 года назад

    Check out Paul Hollywood’s video where he goes to Belgium, it’s a wonderful look into the breads, pastries, chocolates and even diamonds sold there..if I can remember the video series, I’ll reply..

    • @johncspine2787
      @johncspine2787 2 года назад

      Ah, it’s part of a site called Tonic..part of a series called “Paul Hollywood’s City Bakes,” great episodes all of them..

    • @TheApartmentBrewer
      @TheApartmentBrewer  2 года назад

      Excellent, I'll check it out. I'm a big fan of the Great British Baking Show

    • @johncspine2787
      @johncspine2787 2 года назад

      @@TheApartmentBrewer it will give you some great ideas about recipes. Pseudo related, check out Brian Lagerstrom’s channel, his ciabatta recipe (second batch of two loaves about to come out of my oven) and his Bolognese recipe (oven roasting of ground meats on a tray in oven, and whole sauce in the pot in the oven, I’ll never do long simmered stuff on the stove again, I’ll roast for way better flavor!) are life changing..I’ve tried to get ciabatta to turn out for years, I’m an experienced baker, but his recipe finally did it..it was seeing how the wet dough finally comes together on high speed in a mixer that did it!