by Brouwerij Verstraete (Deca Services)
This beer comes from Belgian ‘beer firm’ Brouwerij Verstraete. It is the term used in Belgium for what we call our contract brewers. They are a recognised brewery business, without their own brewery.
Deca Services is a big production brewery in West Flanders, and it is here that the Papegaei is brewed for brewer Adam Verstraete. Papegaei translates as ‘parrot’ in Dutch – hence the label symbol.
The beer is a strong blonde ale, with a hazy orange body and nice aroma of citrus and Belgian yeast. Barley, wheat and oats are in the grain-bill, with whole Perle hop flowers (bittering) and Hersbrucker hops used for dry-hopping.
There is a pleasant malty backbone, with a good dose of citrus hop character and coriander and curacao orange spice. Low carbonation aids the smooth mouthfeel.
And while Verstraete may not have its own brewery, they do have a lovely little shop on the canal in Diksmuide where you can enjoy the Papegaei beer along with other local produce on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
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