New Belgian Brews

This weekend I went to Las Vegas with some pals. Lemme tell you, it is harder to find good beers in Vegas than it is to get on a guest list. Luckily, there was good news when I arrived back into work today. We got a couple great Belgian beers on board this weekend. Maybe some you've heard of? If not, you'll be glad to be enlightened of these brews. Belgian beers are one of my favorite styles, for their malty sweetness and unique flavors. These are must tries:

STELLA ARTOIS
Stella Artois is a classic Belgian lager, golden in color with exceptional clarity and a spicy hop character.  Stella Artois should be served between 36 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit using a nine-step process called the Belgian Pouring Ritual.  In Belgium, every beer has its own unique glass designed to highlight the brand’s special flavor, and Stella Artois is no exception.  The Stella Artois chalice is designed to ensure that the head foams perfectly and the aroma is preserved.

HOEGAARDEN
Hoegaarden, a Belgian White Ale brewed with real Curacao orange peel with a hint of coriander, has a unique, refreshing flavor and spicy nose.  Brewing has been an integral part of life in the village of Hoegaarden, Belgium, since 1318.  By the 15th century, Begarden monks settled in the area and began brewing Belgian white (or wit) ales.  By the end of the 19th Century, the village boasted more than 35 breweries, although it was inhabited by only 2,000 people.  Hoegaarden Witbier – biere blanche, the original Belgian White Beer, is renowned in Belgium and all over the world.

LEFFE BLONDE
Leffe Blonde is an authentic and respected Belgian “Abbey” beer, a category almost exclusive to Belgium.  Leffe Blonde is a dry, fruity and lightly spiced ale featuring a perfect balance of strength and subtlety.  The bitterness is delicate, extending over the whole palate and lingering as a subtle aftertaste.  The rich brewing tradition of the Leffe beers dates back more than 700 years to the Abbey Notre Dame de Leffe, founded in 1152.  The monks of St. Norbert began brewing this beer in 1240 for the community and for passing travelers.  Leffe beers continued to flow throughout the quiet Belgian countryside until the Abbey was abolished after the French Revolution.  The monks eventually formed an agreement with the brewer Albert Lootvoot to re-launch Leffe.

SHOCKTOP
Shock Top Belgian White is a medium-bodied, unfiltered Belgian-style wheat ale, brewed with orange, lemon and lime peels and coriander. The result is a smooth, citrus mouthfeel and a naturally cloudy, light golden color.

SHOCKTOP RASPBERRY WHEAT
Shock Top Raspberry Wheat has the refreshing and smooth taste of Shock Top Belgian White, with a hint of raspberry flavor.