Do the white thing

I’m not sure it’s a good idea to begin discussing “styles” in this space beyond those covered in the book but while deciding need to point you to this in the San Francisco Chronicle: “Do the white thing with Belgian brews.” If only because of the headline.

The rest is as good, too.

Belgian white beers do just that - they’re slam-dunk drinks for summer, thirst-quenchingly crisp and with a spicy, citrus complexity not found in more traditional hot-weather lagers like Miller Genuine Draft, Rolling Rock and Coors.

The difference between Budweiser and a Belgian white is like eating a cooked, chilled, plain shrimp versus eating that shrimp with a squeeze of lemon or a dunk into cocktail sauce.

You may have noticed that after three books in the Brewers Publications series on Belgian styles that some - such as witbier, pale ale and the newly desginated “brut” - are not covered.

Any volunteers for a fourth book?

One Response to “Do the white thing”

  1. chris Says:

    A book on Belgian wit, pale ale, and brut would be great. The witbiere has always been a huge challenge on the homebrew level. To get that great wheat flavor and nail the spices takes perfection in the homebrewery.

    What are the elusive spices? Cumin, chamomile, white pepper?

    Belgian pale is a style that is pretty easy to nail. Brut on the other hand…I don’t even know where to start.

    Chris
    Biere de Table

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