Brewery Spotlight: De Halve Maan, Bruges.

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July 14, 2012 by probuswines

When you hear the word ‘Belgium’ what springs to mind?

For some it might be chocolate, waffles, or a lack of formal government, but for most people it’s beer. Good beer. Varied beer. Bloody fantastic beer.

Yes, the Belgians love their beer (demonstrated pretty well by the fact such a small country has over 180 breweries!) and Belgian brewers are renowned for producing some of the best ales in the world; this post could quite easily turn into a 50,000 word dissertation on all of the Belgian Enkels, Dubbels, Tripels, Quadrupels, Lambics, Saisons, Gueuzes, Pilsners, and blondes that we think are delicious, but we’re going to stick to singing the praises of one brewery from Bruges: De Halve Maan.

The family-owned De Halve Maan is steeped in rich tradition and brewing heritage, and is crammed (quite literally) into the beautiful town centre of the chocolate-box-like Flemish city of Bruges…

The brewery is the middle building – a bit different from the sprawling St James’ Gate isn’t it?!

But, De Halve Maan is conclusive proof (listen up, gents) that size really doesn’t matter, because some of the beers that are produced there are truly world class…

Take for example, their Brugse Zot, which is a beautifully aromatic blonde ale, full of biscuity malt and citrus as well as light clove, herb, and spice notes from the yeast.

 Or, if you fancy something a bit darker, maybe Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel is for you; it’s a big, bold abbey-style Quadrupel with huge dollops of dark fruit character (plums, figs, raisins), caramel notes, slight chocolate, herbs, spices, and a warming booziness as it goes down (it is 11% after all!)

Both of these beauties are in stock in our stores now (alongside Brugse Zot’s darker brother – Brugse Zot Dubbel), so come on in and see what you think! 

For more information on the brewery or their beer range, why not check out their website: http://www.halvemaan.be/