Oud Zottegems Bier

Origin: Belgium

Type: Belgian strong ale

Color: Dark honey

Alcohol content: 6.5%

Recommended serving temperature: 7ºC/45ºF

Brewery: Brouwerij Crombé

Webpage: No webpage that I know of...

I have decided to pay homage today to one of the lesser known Belgian beers I used to order when I went to Gollem in Amsterdam, the Oud Zottegems Bier.

Mind you, by the time I would order it I was well past the point of discerning too much. I have therefore had to wait until the other day, when one of these fell into my hands in a more relaxed setting, to even consider writing a post on it.

Today's post is therefore largely based on a lot of alcohol induced foggy memories. I will say this though, they are good memories.

The Oud Zottegems Bier is a dark honey, or brownish yellow, whichever you prefer, colored ale with a very small head of foam, which dissipates pretty fast. 

Its smell starts off mainly malty and sweet, like many of the great Belgian beers. After a little bit though you can start to feel other aromas come out which really give this beer an interesting character. The first things that I can catch here are herbs and spices, a mix that makes this beer soft and easy to drink. The general mix of smells kind of reminds me of honey, something which if you think about it stands to reason in something that smells herby, spicy and sweet. After all, what is honey about other than that?

The smell largely rubs off on the taste, with the malts and their sweetness immediately noticeable and the spices not far behind. However, there is also a grainy taste which was not really there in the smell and which comes to balance and dry the taste. 

The finish itself is hoppy and slightly bitter, without it being bitter enough to totally wash off the  sweetness or the grains. You can feel it is there but it does not really have a substantial impact on the overall product, kind of like Austria in the European Union.

A surprising detail is the relatively low carbonation present in this beer, something which is not very common in Belgian beers, traditionally pretty champagny. This gives this beer a little bit less density and makes it go down easier.

In the end I guess that is precisely the main character of this beer, its soft and easy to drink, without for that reason losing many of the traditional flavors of a Belgian beer. This is what makes it such a good choice when you are good and plastered, you can rest assured that it is not a very high mountain to climb. Heck, even if it is, at 6.5% ABV and after having been drinking 8 and 9%ABVs all day, you better well climb it or word is going to spread that you are a little bit of a sissy.

In keeping with the moment portrayed to drink it, you should definitely pair it with some food, preferably with an assortment of cheeses that any good bar in Belgium or the Netherlands will have for just such a moment in a patron's life. This beer does not ask for much, but believe me you yourself will appreciate it and will definitely appreciate the beer more too.