Origin: Belgium
Type: Belgian strong ale
Color: Dark blond
Alcohol content: 7,5%
Recommended serving temperature: 7ºC/45ºF
Brewery: Brasserie La Curtius
Today I have decided to write about a new discovery I made last weekend during my trip to Belgium, a beer from Liège called Curtius.
From what I've been told this beer is relatively new on the market, having come out about a year ago. It is the lovechild of two young agribusiness students who, noting that their hometown lacked its own beer, set out on a mission to rectify such a shocking shortfall in a Belgian city.
They have done so by brewing this dark yellow colored strong Belgian ale, which boasts an incredible amount of thick, soapy and creamy foam.
Its smell is subtle but incredibly complex, with a bit of spices, some bitterness and a dash of flowers and herbs, to go with the malty caramel that constitutes its base. An unmistakably Belgian aroma which although at the same time spicy, bitter and sweet, is perfectly balanced and appealing.
This balance continues in the taste, also a pretty surprising and almost unexpected mix of flavors.
The spiciness and bitterness are not immediately noticeable here leaving place instead to a prominent breadiness at the beginning. Like everything in this beer however, this breadiness is not overpowering and it quickly leaves way to a soft apricot like fruitiness which sweetens your mouth right until the moment you swallow. It is at that moment when the lost spices and bitterness come back, providing for a sharp end and a strong spicy aftertaste.
The balance of the smell and the softness of the taste makes the Curtius very easy to drink, perfect to have on the go, conversely to most Belgian beers of its style which due to their alcohol content and flavor profile, usually require a more relaxed consumption. Forewarned is forearmed however, this beer still has 7.5% ABV, so you can have it on the go but chances are there really won't be much going after it.
If you choose a more relaxed approach, I would recommend trying it with something mild but not lacking consistency (in my case I tried it with a salmon and zucchini quiche) to provide some backing against the alcohol, but not to drown out the subtle taste.
From what I've been told this beer is relatively new on the market, having come out about a year ago. It is the lovechild of two young agribusiness students who, noting that their hometown lacked its own beer, set out on a mission to rectify such a shocking shortfall in a Belgian city.
They have done so by brewing this dark yellow colored strong Belgian ale, which boasts an incredible amount of thick, soapy and creamy foam.
Its smell is subtle but incredibly complex, with a bit of spices, some bitterness and a dash of flowers and herbs, to go with the malty caramel that constitutes its base. An unmistakably Belgian aroma which although at the same time spicy, bitter and sweet, is perfectly balanced and appealing.
This balance continues in the taste, also a pretty surprising and almost unexpected mix of flavors.
The spiciness and bitterness are not immediately noticeable here leaving place instead to a prominent breadiness at the beginning. Like everything in this beer however, this breadiness is not overpowering and it quickly leaves way to a soft apricot like fruitiness which sweetens your mouth right until the moment you swallow. It is at that moment when the lost spices and bitterness come back, providing for a sharp end and a strong spicy aftertaste.
The balance of the smell and the softness of the taste makes the Curtius very easy to drink, perfect to have on the go, conversely to most Belgian beers of its style which due to their alcohol content and flavor profile, usually require a more relaxed consumption. Forewarned is forearmed however, this beer still has 7.5% ABV, so you can have it on the go but chances are there really won't be much going after it.
If you choose a more relaxed approach, I would recommend trying it with something mild but not lacking consistency (in my case I tried it with a salmon and zucchini quiche) to provide some backing against the alcohol, but not to drown out the subtle taste.
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