A Guide to Belgian Beer Styles

Single (aka singel):

Sessionable Trappist-style ale. Pale in color and low in alcohol. Light, crisp and dry, with fruity notes. Uncommon offering outside of Trappist monasteries.

Double (aka dubbel):

Medium-bodied Trappiststyle ale. Amber or dark in color with medium to high alcohol content. Wellcarbonated with notes of dark fruit such as raisins, figs and plum. Example: Blue Mountain Evil 8.

Triple (aka tripel):

Deceptively strong Trappiststyle ale. Pale in color and high in alcohol. Highly carbonated and light on the palate with spicy and/or fruit notes. Example: Lickinghole Creek Three Chopt Tripel.

Quad (aka Belgian dark strong ale):

Strong Trappist-style ale. Dark amber to brown in color, and high in alcohol. Full-bodied and malty with notes of dark fruit. ABV can climb into double digits.

Example: Adroit Theory All I

See is Carrion and Alewerks Brewing Company’s Jubilee.

Saison:

Farmhouse ale. Often pale in color but can range into amber. Alcohol content can range from sessionable to high. Highly carbonated and refreshing. May sometimes be brewed with adjuncts like fruit, herbs or spices.

Examples: The Veil Brewing Melancholia and Smartmouth Brewing Company Alter Ego Saison.

Belgian Blond Ale: Lighter golden ale with signature Belgian fruity-spicy complexity and medium ABV. Yeast and malt driven with a dry finish. Examples: Three Roads Brewing Lemongrass Blonde and Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery’s Belgian Blonde

Belgian Pale Ale:

Balanced, easy-drinking and ranging in color from amber to copper. Hops are a noteworthy contributor to flavor and aroma, though not the star of the show. Example: Hardywood Singel.

Witbier (aka wit):

Wheat-based beer, translated as “white beer.” Pale in color and cloudy in appearance. Complex with herbal, spicy and sometimes peppery characteristics. May also impart orangey or citrus notes and may be brewed with spices like coriander.

Examples: Port City Optimal Wit and Ornery Beer Company Down Wit It.

Lambic: Sour wheat-based beer. Typically yellow to gold in appearance. Characterized by its acidity, Brettanomyces “funk” and low carbonation.

Example: The Veil Brewing Closer Glimpse.

Flanders (aka Flanders Red):

Sour beer. Characterized by its reddish-brown color and fruitiness, akin to red wine. Flavor characteristics include black cherries, oranges, plums and red currants.

Example: Triple Crossing Brewing Without End.