Beer that tastes like Marie biscuits; the Special Belge
Special belge
- Alcohol: 4,4% – 5,5%
- Colour: gold to light copper
- IBU: 15 – 23
- Special notes: Lightly malty and a beautiful deep copper color. This beer style was developed in response to the rise of pilsner. Our southern neighbors wanted to bring their own beer to the market and therefore organized a competition with a clear winner!
In this case, two exceptional breweries hold the title of style icon. These are, of course, Palm and De Koninck with their Belgian amber ale. A wonderfully malty beer that perfectly fits one of the traditional brown cafés that Belgium is rich in.
If you’re sitting in that Belgian brown café, order a Flemish stew with homemade fries. Have a Bolleke with it and enjoy!
Global characteristics
Special Belge is a beer style with roots in Belgium, with variations such as “Belgian Pale Ale” and “Belgian Amber Ale.” It generally has a ruby-red to amber hue. The aromas are often malty with notes of caramel and sometimes fruitiness. The flavor combines sweet, malty tones with a mild hop bitterness. Alcohol percentages usually range between 4% and 6%. It is a versatile style with subtle complexity, which contributes to its appeal among Belgian beer enthusiasts.
Palm Brewery
Palm Brewery, officially Brouwerij Palm NV, is a Belgian brewery with a rich history. It was founded in 1686 in Steenhuffel, Belgium. The brewery is known for its distinctive beers, including the well-known “Palm” brand.
Palm beer, created in 1935 for the Brussels World’s Fair, originates from Steenhuffel. The success of Palm has made the brewery nationally and internationally known.
The beer “Palm” is a Belgian Amber Ale and has a distinctive copper color and a balanced flavor. It was originally brewed as a special beer for the Brussels World’s Fair in 1935. Due to its success, it became a permanent part of the brewery’s range.
In addition to Palm, the brewery also produces other beers, such as “Rodenbach” and “Boon.” “Rodenbach” is known for its Flemish red ales, while “Boon” is associated with lambic and gueuze beers.
In 2016, Brouwerij Palm merged with Brouwerij Rodenbach, and together they formed “Palm Belgian Craft Brewers.” This merger strengthened the brewery’s position as an important player in the Belgian beer world. It is always interesting to taste Palm’s beers if you are interested in Belgian beer traditions.
Olleke bolleke
Brouwerij De Koninck is a Belgian brewery located in Antwerp and has a rich history dating back to 1833. One of their best-known beers is “De Koninck APA” (Antwerpse Pale Ale), also known as “Bolleke.” Also check out my report of my visit to Brouwerij De Koninck
De Koninck APA (Bolleke):
- Style: De Koninck APA is often considered a Belgian Pale Ale and sometimes an Amber Ale. It has a characteristic amber hue.
- Flavor profile: The beer is known for its balanced flavor with notes of caramel, fruitiness, and a light hop bitterness. It has a pleasant sweetness and a refreshing character.
- Bolleke: The beer is often ordered as a “Bolleke,” referring to the traditional glass in which it is served, with a rounded shape and a capacity of 25 cl.
- Brewery Tradition: Brouwerij De Koninck has a strong connection with Antwerp and has contributed to preserving the city’s beer culture. The beer is often associated with the cozy atmosphere of Antwerp cafés.
De Koninck APA is a well-regarded beer in Belgium and is also internationally recognized. It is a fine example of Belgian brewing tradition with a contemporary twist.
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