World Beer Review: The Netherlands

by **Iz Man** on Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:26 am

Continuing on through another country that brews some excellent brews;
here we go with The Netherlands:

Hertog Jan Grand Prestige
Origin: Province of Limburg, The Netherlands
Style: Barley Wine
Alcohol: 10% ABV

The word Hertog means duke, and the name Jan recollects the Jan who ruled Flanders and Brabant. This strong Dutch Ale is broadly in the style of a barley wine. It was an early specialty after the 1980's revival of the Arcen brewery, in the Limburg town of the same name. This beer has a dense head; a garnet color; a spicy malt aroma; a surprisingly light body; and a sweetish, very slightly port-like finish.

Budels Alt
Origin: Province of North Brabant, The Netherlands
Style: Altbier
Alcohol: 6% ABV

Few European breweries are as eclectic in their beer styles as Budels, of North Brabant, in the Netherlands. The alcohol in this altbier is higher than typical. It is paler in color for this style; fresh spicy hop and malty aroma. A lively flavor development, with hints of ginger; and a firm, very dry finish.

Toasting Alt: On this label, the crowned head of Brabant, Jan Primus, is shown as the mythical King Of Beer, Gambrinus, alleged inventer of the "toast".

Jopen Bok Bier
Origin: Province of North Holland, The Netherlands
Style: Top-fermenting Bock
Alcohol: 5.5% ABV

The word Jopen was used in Haarlem, once a great brewing city in the Netherlands, to describe a size of a beer barrel. This unusual "four grain" beer is made from barley, wheat, rye (all malted), and raw oats; is top fermented and bottle conditioned. Although developed in Haarlem, it is produced at the Schaapskooi Abbey brewery. Almost like biting into an orange, the beer is lightly syrupy and malty on the palate. With spicy, dry flavors (but no spices are used).

by **DAZMCFC** on Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:36 am

i know Grolsch, but i`m not that keen on it. i`m sure Heinekken is dutch though, now thats a good massed produce lager, especially the export. :lol:

by **Iz Man** on Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:20 pm

DAZMCFC wrote:i know Grolsch, but i`m not that keen on it. i`m sure Heinekken is dutch though, now thats a good massed produce lager, especially the export.

Yup, both Grolsch & Heineken are Dutch. Most think of Heineken as the green bottled swill (my opinion only) that's exported primarily to the U.S.
Grolsch is also widely known for their lager, but produce other great beers as well.
Here are two examples that outline some fine ale from both of these popular breweries. (Notice the brown bottle)

Grolsch Wintervorst
Origin: Eastern Netherlands
Style: Spiced Ale
Alcohol: 7.5% ABV

The name of this beer means "Winter Frost". It is a distinctive and flavorsome strong ale. Wintervorst is spiced with clover, honey, and orange peel. It pours with a big, rocky, well retained head. It has rich, sweet, licorice-like flavors; a lightly oily, smooth body; and a gently herbal, flowery finish.

Heineken Tarwebok
Origin: Province of North Brabant, The Netherlands
Style: Wheat Bock
Alcohol: 6.5% ABV

One of the most distinctive, flavorsome beers made by Heineken is this wheat bock. No fewer than four types of barley malt are used. along with 17% wheat (Tarwe, in Dutch) malt. The result is a silky smooth beer, with suggestions of cream, coffee, chocolate, prunes, and rum.

by **2dimes** on Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:03 am

by **Snorri1234** on Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:27 pm

Iz Man wrote:
DAZMCFC wrote:i know Grolsch, but i`m not that keen on it. i`m sure Heinekken is dutch though, now thats a good massed produce lager, especially the export.

Yup, both Grolsch & Heineken are Dutch. Most think of Heineken as the green bottled swill (my opinion only)

Don't worry, we also think it isn't great.

by **Snorri1234** on Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:28 pm

Also, have you done a beer review on belgian beers? Because I think that it is one of the best beer brewing countries in the world.

by **Iz Man** on Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:42 pm

Snorri1234 wrote:Also, have you done a beer review on belgian beers? Because I think that it is one of the best beer brewing countries in the world.

Belgium is coming real soon.
I happen to be a Belgian beer fanatic (see the link in my profile).
I'm having a hard time deciding which Belgians to review because I haven't really found one I don't love.
I'll probably start with the Trappist Ales.

by **2dimes** on Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:22 pm

I don't hate hieneken but it's nearly allways turned a little skunky when you get it here. My buddy loves the stuff even skunky.

by **Genghis Khant** on Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:47 pm

I think Oranjeboom is worth a mention. It may not be the best lager in the world, but it is decent enough, less chemical tasting than Stella, it's 5%, and round here it sells for £5 for 8 cans. Bargain.

by **Koesen** on Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:09 pm

Iz Man wrote:[The name of this beer means "Winter Frost".

Wintervorst can also mean 'King of winter'.

by **Snorri1234** on Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:15 pm

Koesen wrote:
Iz Man wrote:[The name of this beer means "Winter Frost".

Wintervorst can also mean 'King of winter'.

True.

by **Iz Man** on Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:41 pm

Snorri1234 wrote:
Koesen wrote:
Iz Man wrote:[The name of this beer means "Winter Frost".

Wintervorst can also mean 'King of winter'.

True.

Learn something new every day.

by **Gypsys Kiss** on Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:16 pm

Does anyone know a site that you can order beer online. I would like to try some of these but my local shops dont sell 'em. U.K. based preferably.

Cheers :lol: