Store brand Belgian Ale - welcome to Luxembourg

Price:  €3.50 for 4 bottles (approximate - threw away receipt)

Alcohol:  7%

Nose:  Caramelized wheat (Emily:  "kinda gross")

Palate:  Very evervescent; dried fruit; orange; slightly tangy

Aftertaste:  a little sticky and wheaty; not terrible, but not as clean as others

Comments:  While on a marathon shopping session a few nights back (Saturday at 7 PM before a 9 PM dinner reservation) I saw a local gentleman with a 4-pack of this brew.  Figuring when in Luxembourg drink like a Luxembourger, I rushed to the beer aisle to locate said beverage.  I was quite pleased to note the reasonable price point, so I snatched up a pack.  Upon pulling the bottle out of the fridge this evening I happened to notice a little lion logo on the top right of the label - it was the grocery store brand (Delhaize).  I was not dissuaded by this, as we've had other very good Delhaize-branded items (coffee, ham, spätzle, etc.).  However, after consuming the beverage I will say it's definitely not of the quality of other Belgians - but it does stand up pretty well.  I'm not a huge fan of the aftertaste, and the flavor isn't quite as complex as others.  So, all in all about what I'd expect from a respectable store brand.  And, I'm giving it an extra point just for being a private label Belgian - try finding that in the US!

Rating:  5.5 (Brian:  6.0; Emily:  5.0)

1 = Piss water (i.e. Natty Light)

5 = Take it or leave it

10 = Nectar of the gods

Tricky - looks like a "real" Belgian...

...and there is that goofy lion and the name of the grocery store a I just came from.

In case you speak French or Flemish or Dutch or Lëtzebuergesch or whatever this language is and would like to know what Delhaize wants you to believe this beer is all about (likely a story about some medieval monk tasting the most delicious brew on earth).

Looks pretty good, right?  Doesn't taste too bad either.  Note to Christmas shoppers - Belgian beer glasses are needed (although a direct shipment to Lux is a must - can't haul that on three flights).

Yum.  What prompted me to start this blog.  More to come as I have time (so, quite possibly never).  Check out the one on the far left.