Delicious Dark Beers: All You Need To Know About Dark Belgian Beer

#1 Duchesse de Bourgogne

A delicious Flemish red ale crafted by Brouwerij Verhaeghe in Vichte, Belgium, Duchesse de Bourgogne has earned its place at the top of the list. Fermented once, then a second time for good measure, the ale is then confined to oak barrels to mature for a full eighteen months. They’re not quite done there, however, as the creation of the final blend combined eighteen-month aged ale with eight-month aged ale for a smoother, more refined finish.

The flavour of the beer is similar to lambic beers in that it’s fruity, yet Duchesse de Bourgogne also has the characteristically sour notes of all Flemish red ales.

For those who are curious, the beer was named after Duchess Mary of Burgundy, Charles the Bold’s only daughter.

#2 Grimbergen Dubbel

Grimbergen Dubbel is a deliciously dark and full-bodied beer. The deep amber colour that’s characteristic of the brew is achieved by using two roasted malts. It carries a bittersweet aroma thanks to subtle notes of caramel and has a deep, rich, and ample taste. A savoury abbey beer Grimbergen Dubbel has a perfectly balanced contrast between fruity and spicy.

#3 Petrus Roodbruin

What do you get when you blend a delicious fresh dark beer with a pale ale, lovingly aged in oak casks for two years? Petrus Old Brown boasts a deliciously refreshing sourness as a result of this blending, which is carefully balanced by the brewer Regular tasting is required to ensure it’s brewed to perfection and not left in too long. It’s then blended with freshly brewed beer and bottled, producing a vinous and noble taste.

#4 Monk’s Stout Dupont

The bitter, dry taste of Monk’s Stout Dupont makes it very memorable. Roasted malts are responsible for this, along with the distinctive taste of chocolate and coffee. A delicious dak beer full of hoppy flavours and a complex aroma, Monk’s Stout is a top-fermented beer aided by refermentation in the bottle. 

#5 Grotten Santé

Some years ago, Piere Cells, the founder of legendary beer Hoegaarden, created ‘cave beer’, or as it’s better known, Grottenbier. Far from just a quirky name, Grottenbier was crafted with a specific purpose in mind, the discovery of how the taste of beer would be affected by consistently low temperatures.

Like those found in a cave.

While no longer brewed in caves – the beers now make their home within the bomb-proof souterrains of the former World War 1 fortifications of the city of Ypres – they’re still kept at cool, cave-like temperatures under the care of Brouwerij Kazematten.

With a new look and a new name, Grotten Santé retains all the taste of the original recipe. A zesty beer brewed from the perfect blend of exotic herbs to create a slight dryness.

#6 Delirium Nocturnum

Okay, we admit it, we’re obsessed with the Delirium elephant. But, there’s a very good reason for that. Whenever you see that little pink fella with his big floppy ears, you know you’re in for a treat. And Delirium Nocturnum is no different. A dark, red-brown beer with hints of mocha, caramel, and chocolate, Nocturnum certainly lives up to his name. It’s a soft taste infused with spices like liquorice and coriander, with a roasted malt aftertaste that has just a hint of bitterness

The perfect balance between sweet, sour and bitter.