by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
The small town of Achouffe, near Houffalize in the Belgian Ardennes is the home of the Chouffe brewery, which is celebrating its 40thbirthday this year. We first visited the brewery back in 2001, and it was a very rustic affair. It was February and snowing outside, but we were treated to a warm welcome and enjoyed sampling the La Chouffe and McChouffe by the fireplace in the small tasting room.
A lot has changed since then, including the brewery being sold to the Duvel-Moortgat family group in 2006. But the beers are still being made at Brasserie d’Achouffe, and to recognise the milestone they have brewed this delicious Belgian Pale Ale with citrus and sage.
It is an interesting choice given this is the lowest ABV of any of Chouffe’s beers, but it is so well done. It pours slightly darker than blonde, with hints of the malty backbone with coriander, sage and a little citrus mixing in with the classic Belgian yeast aroma.
The taste is clean, quite dry with the same flavours as the nose suggested. Spicy with a good level of hop bitterness, this beer is beautifully refreshing while still being flavoursome enough to keep your interest after every sip.
Did you know? The little gnome that appears on all the Chouffe labels is called Marcel!
by Belgoo Beer
A beer that is a cross between a Belgian Pale Ale and a traditional saison
A lovely crisp and flavoursome Belgian Pale Ale featuring Crystal & Tettnang hops
Another variation of BBNo's Belgian Pale style, this time featuring Hallertau Blanc and Mandarina Bavaria hops
The 2014 vintage of De La Senne's commemorative brew - a ripper Belgian Pale Ale
De La Senne's once-a-year birthday celebratory pale ale, this time using an experimental hop from Slovenia
by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
The spring time seasonal beer from La Chouffe
This is an unfiltered, naturally cloudy lager that bridges the gap between commercial beers and a Belgian Blond Ale
A special pale ale with bitter orange peel was brewed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of De Dolle Brouwers
A Belgian ale 100% fermented with a Brussels Brettanomyces yeast, conditioned for 4 months in the bottle before release
The first beer in the trilogy of collaborations to celebrate 20 years of Zinnebir
The second beer in the 'Zinnebir' celebration/collaboration series
A Belgian ale with an assertive hop bitterness, brewed to the character of an old style pilsner
A Belgian Pale Ale that uses three special herbs from the Flemish Ardennes region
Although the name has changed, this Belgian Pale Ale was the first beer produced by the brewery
A lovely blond bitter beer from one of Belgium's home-brewing success stories
by Brasserie de la Cambre (Brouwerij Het Anker)
A beer that describes itself as a Belgian IPA, but I think it is more a hoppy Belgian Pale
A slightly happier Belgian pale ale from Brasserie Les 3 Fourquets
by Brasserie Artisinale Millevertus
A really well-balanced Belgian Pale Ale featuring Chinook hops
A very tasty amber coloured Belgian Pale Ale that uses four different malts and five different hops
by Brasserie Artisanale de Rulles
A tasty Belgian Pale Ale with more than a hint of saison about it
A Belgian Blond that has achieved some notable recognition on the world beer stage
by Brasserie du l'Abbeye du Val-Dieu
A special Belgian Pale Ale made to celebrate the 800 year history of the Val-Dieu Abbey
A light and sessionable Belgian Pale Ale (or light Belgian Blond) that proudly uses 'No American Hops'
by Abdij Der Trappisten Van Westmalle
The beer that the monks of Westmalle usually keep to themselves
by Abdij Der Trappisten Van Westmalle
Westmalle's Trappist pale ale - the beer the Monk's drink
Belgium's hoppy beer, but there is more to this beer than just the hops
by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
This beer is McChouffe with the addition of cherries
by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
The new low-ABV offering from Brasserie A'Chouffe
by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
The spring time seasonal beer from La Chouffe
by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
Best described as an extremely hoppy Belgian tripel style
by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
The iconic strong golden ale that is La Chouffe
by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
The lesser-known dark beer from Brasserie Achouffe
by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
The winter seasonal offering from the Chouffe brewery
by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
The winter seasonal offering from the Chouffe Brewery - a dark beer brewed with thyme and bitter orange
