Belgian Amber Ale
By the beginning of the twentieth century, beer drinkers throughout Europe, including Belgium, had united in a common love of Pilsner lagers. The clear, crisp, golden-colored beers had rapidly grown in popularity from the mid-nineteenth century on. Pilsners from Bohemia, Germany, and the Netherlands dominated the beer scene.
Despite Belgium producing a number of Pilsners, the imported versions held a lot of market share within the domestic market. Belgian brewers needed a popular beer of their own and began looking for a beer style to compete with imported Pilsners. To do this, Belgium’s brewery schools held a competition to find a beer that was sessionable (approximately 5.0% ABV) and could sell for up to a third less than Pilsner. The beer needed to be well-carbonated and refreshing with fine pearlisation and a solid head of foam. More than 70 brewers entered the 1905 competition.
The competition winner was the Binard brewery with its Belge de Faleau amber ale. The style was referred to as Spéciale Belge and was soon brewed by a number of other breweries.
Multiple Grains – Complex maltiness
Multiple Grains Are Used To Brew Speciale Belge
The Brabantland is a vibrant farming area south of Antwerp that produces a wide variety of grains. Spéciale Belge beers are rich and malty, using as many as eight grains, including pale ale malt, Munich and Vienna malts, biscuit malt, wheat malt, and a number of caramel malts. The flavor profile exhibits moderate malt with toasted bread, nuts, caramel and honey. Hopping is relatively low with spicy, herbal and floral character. Light notes of pear and apricot esters are present and the finish is dry with a touch of bitterness.
A Popular Pub Beer
As the Spéciale Belge style took off, it rapidly became a pub favorite. The beer was malty, refreshing and of similar alcohol to a Pilsner. It typically cost less than Pilsners as well, making it affordable for both the middle and working classes. While originating in the vicinity of Antwerp and the Brabant, the amber ales can be found in pubs throughout the country – on draft and in bottles.
Food and Cheese Pairings
Speciale Belge Goes With a Broad Range of Foods
Amber Ales are good with moderately flavored foods, especially poultry and pork and grilled meats. Burgers, pizza and sausages are also good choices. Milder cheddar cheeses and gouda are perfect paired with Spéciale Belge.
Popular Brands of Spéciale Belge
Spéciale Palm is the best-selling brand of Spéciale Belge, followed closely by DeKoninck. These two brands account for the bulk of market share.
The Market Leaders in Belgium
Others include:
Palm Hop Select (dry hopped with Hallertau Mittelfruh) - Palm Belgian Craft Brewers
Spéciale Belge – Brouwerij De Ryck
Franc Belge – Brouwerij De Ranke
Vieux Temps – Stella Artois (AB-Inbev)
La Gauloise Ambrée – Brouwerij Du Bocq
Spéciale Belge – Brouwerij Noordt
Several American craft brewers also brew the style, most notably New Belgium and their flagship beer, Fat Tire. Others include:
Mail Ale – Bruz Beers
Redemption - Russian River Brewing
Karma – Avery Brewing Company
Rare Vos – Brewery Ommegang