European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 13, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                In Belgium it s a Heady subjects amps Peter Jaeger mice Story and photographs by David Tarrant Brussels Bureau in the fermentation room of the chimay brewery brother Louis smiled when he opened the enormous vat. Inside was seemingly enough Beer to satisfy a stadium of thirsty Chicago bears fans. But that s not what brought a smile to brother Louis a Trappist Monk. He knew that his wide eyed visitors seizing their Chance would Dart Over to the vat Peak inside and take a whiff. And then they d jump Back like a cat squirted with a water pistol. To wow Quot Strong Quot is too mild a word for the Aroma of fermenting chimay Beer. In a Small country whose people prefer to let their accomplishments speak for themselves belgian Beer shouts. Belgium is the Home of about 100 breweries which produce More than 400 colourful Beers. They Range from the Golden Duvel a the name Means Quot Devil Quot in flemish a to the malty chimay a Strong dark Beer brewed by the monks of the Abbey of our lady of scour Mont near the town of chimay. Throw in the whimsical and fruity framboise and Kriek brews and you be got Beer for All seasons. Belgium is a Beer Lover s Paradise and sampling its wares is both a culinary and cultural Pursuit. It can even Lead to a religious pilgrimage of sorts for several Beers Are brewed by Trappist monks a tradition dating from the middie Ages. At scour Mont the Trappist brew three varieties of Beer that Are renowned for their one two punch of Strong Aroma and taste. Their Orval Beer served in glasses that resemble chalices have a Bright appearance e and Hoppy flavor which visitors to the Abbey can savor in a nearby cafe. At our lady of the sacred heart Abbey in West Malle near Antwerp monks have been brewing Beer for More than 150 years. They be perfected the Quot double Quot 6.5 percent alcohol Content and the Quot triple Quot 9 percent alcohol. Be careful not to drink too much of it or you la be Down for the count. Other Trappist breweries in Belgium Are located in Rochefort at the St. Remy Abbey and in West Seteren at the St. Sixtus Abbey. The Trappist breweries Are known for producing a High fermentation Beer which is re fermented in the bottle. These Beers pack a Wallop. Chimay for example has an alcohol Content ranging from 7 percent to 9 percent. American Beers usually have Only half that alcohol strength generally Trappist Beers Are sipped like an aperitif. They go Well with slices of Brown bread and White cheeses. Most of the monasteries also produce a variety of cheese that Are much appreciated in Belgium for their Quality. Belgium produces its share of mainstream Beers including the popular Stella made in Louvain which tastes like a typical German Pils. But special Beers with unique flavors can also be found throughout Belgium including the famous wit Beir or wheat Beer from Hofgaarden the so called top fermented Beers like Palm special Aerts and Duvel Brown ales like Rodenbach from West Flanders or the Bruges tar Weber a Corn Beer found at the Gulden Boom brewery in Brugge. Of All Belgium Beers the most unique is Greuze which is Only found in Brussels. Creuze a dark beverage is known As the Champagne of Belgium Beers because of its sparkling and refreshing if slightly acidic taste. In the cafes of Brussels Greuze is served with a slice of bread covered with dutch cheese and sprinkled with radishes tiny continued on Page u september 13, 1990 stripes Magazine