This is a beer we look forward to every year. Once a year, an extra hop is added to the iconic Duvel beer; and the featured hop is changed from year to year. For 2015 it is the Equinox hop from the US.
The additional hop is added to the traditional Saaz-Saaz and Styrian Golding hops, both is the making of the beer and also dry-hopping.
I didn’t know a lot about the Equinox hop, but a little investigation suggested a ‘pronounced aroma profile with citrus, tropical fruit, floral and herbal characteristics’. Specific descriptors include lemon, lime, papaya, apple and green pepper. Sounds great!
It is an enjoyable creation, very much in the mold of previous years – Mosiac (2014), Sorachi Ace (2013), Citra (2012). Lots of citrus and tropical fruit flavours and aroma. Remarkably light mouthfeel for a beer of 9.5%, and one that is way too easy to drink!
I think this years version is very similar to last years Mosaic hop. I still prefer the 2012 Citra version, but definitely enjoyed this one. It is only available once, so enjoy it while it lasts.
A second version of this beer, with a dominant display from the Morpheus yeast supported by Cascade and Chinook hops
Ella hops from Australia provide a tropical fruit character to this crisp and refreshing Belgian IPA
A Belgian IPA with Challenger, Smaragd and Citra hops, finished with a Belgian saison yeast
Hop bitterness, with dry spicing and just a hint of wild earthy funk
A bigger, hoppier version of the Noblesse Belgian Pale Ale
A Belgian classic - Duvel - with a current hop-driven twist
The classical Belgian Strong Blond Ale, jazzed up with an extra hop that changes each year
The 2016 version of Duvel's Tripel Hop, featuring an experimental hop from the Yakima Valley
This is now the permanent feature in the Duvel range, with the Citra version being voted the favourite of all the Duvel Tripel Hop varieties
The 'other' Duvel Tripel Hop in the range shows of Cashmere hops
The favourite of the Duvel Tripel Hop series is the Citra hop version
Five old-world hops are used in this fresh grassy Belgian IPA
The original Belgian IPA, from one of the three breweries in the 'Brewers Town' of Watou.
A seasonal batch of Hopus brewed in Spring, which is dry-hopped with Citra
by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
Best described as an extremely hoppy Belgian tripel style
A Belgian IPA with a strong citrus character and nice earthy bitterness
A Belgian IPA using Mapuche hops grown exclusively for Leffe on the plains of Patagonia
Another riff of the Troubadour Magma, this one is a more sessionable, last of the summer sun type of beer
The 2016 variation of Troubadour's flagship beer Magma features Maris Otter premium malt
The 2017 variant of Magma sees a change in malt and hop quantities, resulting in a fruity, earthy and dry IPA
The 2019 variant of Troubadour's Magma is a beer that has been made more sessional, with the addition of El Dorado and Nelson Sauvin hops
A perfectly balanced Belgian IPA, deceptively drinkable for the 9.5% ABV.
Not really fitting in to a style category - inviting sweet malt backbone with a good dose of hop bitterness.
A Belgian style IPA, taking a step back to an older style IPA recipe
The second incarnation of this beer, featuring Columbus, Simcoe, Amarillo and Centennial hops
by
An Anglo-Belgian style IPA, with a big malt body and balanced hop character
Duvel is the iconic Belgian Strong Golden Ale all others are compared to
The 'Devil's' little brother, made to the same recipe but without secondary fermentation in the bottle
A Belgian classic - Duvel - with a current hop-driven twist
The classical Belgian Strong Blond Ale, jazzed up with an extra hop that changes each year
The 2016 version of Duvel's Tripel Hop, featuring an experimental hop from the Yakima Valley
This is now the permanent feature in the Duvel range, with the Citra version being voted the favourite of all the Duvel Tripel Hop varieties
The 'other' Duvel Tripel Hop in the range shows of Cashmere hops
The favourite of the Duvel Tripel Hop series is the Citra hop version
A big Belgian Tripel from one of Belgium's big family brewer groups in Duvel-Moortgat
A typically taste Belgian Dubbel or Brune/Bruin with a sweet fruity and malty body, balanced by an earthy, spicy and slightly citrus hop bite
