The nights are getting longer, the temperature is getting colder and we are all making the most of the warm and cosy bar. 

With wet weather, we find ourselves drawn to bigger, bolder beers with plenty of flavour and the sort of ABV that warms you up from the inside out but doesn’t blow your head off (please drink responsibly!).

Thanks to Independent Spirit of Bath’s guidance, we’ve now got a fridge stocked with some classic Belgian beers that owner Ellie enjoyed back during a misspent youth working in Brussels. 

Your typical Belgian beer tends to go heavier on fruity, spicy, floral and herbal aromas giving you a real treat for the senses when it comes to drinking one. Watch out for the unmistakable smell of bananas from a Hefeweizen, generated by the yeast used, no actual bananas go into the beer! 

Each beer has been chosen for its quality and broad appeal as well as for being an excellent example of the style. We also threw in a few because we just really like them! 

The beers will change but here is a sample of what we have 

Weihenstephaner Vitus 7.7% – Golden in colour with lots of dried apricot, cloves and a bit of the aforementioned banana. Has a lovely head on it! 

La Chouffe Blond 8% – One of Belgium’s best-known exports, this bright-coloured beer is zesty with citrus with a bit of spice to finish. Also has a little gnome on the bottle. 

Cherry Chouffe 8% – An absolute must for any fruit fans, Cherry Chouffe goes big on the fruit, with a little almond for a super festive drop. A great option for those who like a little sweet with their bitter. Also has two little gnomes on the bottle. 

Duchesse de Bourgogne 6.2% – A personal favourite of the marketing manager, Duchesse is the best beer with a woman looking bored at a party whilst holding an owl on the label. Described as “the best tasting balsamic vinegar you’ve tried” this Flanders Red ale is sweet with a lot of sour, it’s a fantastic introduction to this brilliant beer style.

Pauwel Kwak 8.4% – Known for its incredibly difficult-to-wash glasses (we won’t be taking a shoe as a deposit like some Belgian bars but we won’t tolerate thieving!) and deep amber colour, this enjoys the grown-up tastes of malt and slight liquorice flavours and caramel. Pick it for the novelty and be surprised how much you like it! 

Find all our beers on Untapped!