Palate Passport - Discover the Beer Classics from Around the World

Palate Passport - Discover the Beer Classics from Around the World Locally brewed beer often steals the spotlight, but lest we forget, there remains a world of wonderful flavors out there, just waiting to be explored. Throughout much of Europe and beyond, brewing can be a fiercely regional affair, with different counties, states, provinces, and even villages proudly touting their unique takes on classic styles. Be it locally grown hops or barley, centuries old brewing techniques, mineral rich waters, or native yeasts – many factors play into the unique tastes and terroirs that make up the world of beer. Join us as we take our tastebuds on a trip.

Unibroue La Fin du Monde

Canada
La Fin du Monde is an impeccably balanced Belgian-style tripel. Spicy Belgian yeast imparts a complex bouquet of fruity esters, with pronounced notes of allspice, lemon, and pear. Golden in color, with thick and fluffy white foam, it is soft and creamy across the palate, with a pleasantly spicy finish.

Paulaner Munchner Lager

Germany
Paulaner’s Munchner Lager pours sparkling gold into the glass and is topped with a crown of white foam. Medium in body, its crackery malt character is accented by a kiss of honey sweetness. Hallertauer Tradition hops impart of touch of balancing herbaceousness and a wisp of florality to the finish. A thirst-quenching classic that makes for a perfect pairing alongside game day favorites like brats, burgers, and polish sausage.

Leffe Abbey Blonde

Belgium
Pouring golden in color and sporting a tall crown of fluffy white foam, it’s spicy and aromatic on the nose, delivering notes of allspice, coriander, and lemon peel. Soft and fruity upon the palate, crackery malt sweetness is balanced by a subtle herbaceous hop character. The finish is artfully balanced, making this 6.6%er dangerously quaffable.

Czechvar

Czech Republic
Pouring copper in color and crowned with a generous head of white foam, Czechvar sparkles in the glass and delivers a captivating hint of grassy aromatics on the nose. Medium in body, it offers a touch of malt sweetness and a fuller body than your average pilsner, yet there’s enough hop character to keep things refreshingly balanced. Thanks to extended maturation there’s no hint of the buttery diacetyl that’s often a distinguishing characteristic of Czech lager. The finish is crisp and clean, with Czech grown Saaz hops imparting a spicy herbal note to the finish. This food-friendly lager pairs well with nearly any cuisine and is highly recommended alongside aged gouda, smoked fish and sausages.

Smithwick's Red Ale

Ireland
Pouring amber in color with beautiful ruby highlights, bright and fruity aromatics lie atop a blanket of caramel. Soft upon the tongue, it brims with the richness of caramelized malt, followed by a touch of roasted barely. There’s just enough hop character to keep the finish refreshingly well balanced. A classic Irish red and a must try with fish and chips. The layered drink known as a Half ‘n’ Half is typically made by filling a glass halfway with Harp Lager and carefully topping it with Guinness Draught. It’s an eye-catching contrast, but we suggest you give it a try with Smithwick’s in place of Harp.

Carlsberg

Denmark
J.C. Jacobsen founded the Carlsberg brewery in 1847. As an admirer of the scientific method, he founded the Carlsberg Laboratory in 1875. It was here that Emil Hansen isolated and propagated a clean lager yeast strain, free from wild cultures, and shared it with the brewing world. It was also at the Carlsberg Laboratory that scientist Soren Peter Lauritz Sorensen developed the pH scale. Carlsberg’s commitment to the scientific side of brewing cemented their ability to produce consistently clean and crisp lager beer. Their Danish Pilsner is golden in color and artfully balanced, delivering a touch of herbal bitterness atop of base of fruity malt sweetness. Available in twelve packs of half liter cans, it’s a refreshingly affordable option from a pioneer of the brewing world.

Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout

England
Amidst increasing consolidation of global beer brands, it’s refreshing to see a small independent brewery remaining fiercely committed to old fashioned craftsmanship. The Samuel Smith Brewery in Tadcaster England still sources water from a well that was sunk when the brewery opened its doors in 1758. They’ve pitched the same yeast for over a century, and they still ferment in large open air stone fermenters known as Yorkshire Squares. Oatmeal stout is an old British style that had all but disappeared until Samuel Smith reintroduced it in 1980. Pouring nearly black in color and topped with tan colored foam, aromas of molasses, prune, and licorice float from the glass. Silken upon the palate, roasted malt imparts a wave of dark chocolate and coffee that washes across the tongue. The finish is refreshingly dry, with lingering hints of blackberry and fig. Pairs exceptionally well with oysters, beef stew, and blue cheese..

Red Stripe

Jamaica
Golden amber in color, Red Stripe lager delivers a honeyed malt sweetness that’s balanced by a subtle touch of hop bitterness. In addition to pilsner malt, Red Stripe is made with cassava root. This locally grown adjunct is utilized to keep the body light and the finish refreshingly crisp. Best enjoyed ice cold from the iconic stubby brown bottle. Hooray beer!

Pacifico

Mexico
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Austian and German immigrants brought their love of lager to Mexico. The pilsner style was well suited for warm weather refreshment and in 1900, three German brewers established Cerveceria del Pacifico. In the decades that followed, their lager made its way north to the Baja coastline. In the 1970s surfers from California fell in love with Pacifico and began “importing” it back in their vans. Now readily available, it’s a bit overshadowed by some of the more well-known Mexican imports. Brewed with a mix of two and six row barley, there’s a bit more structure and character here, yet it’s still refreshingly crisp. One of our go-to favorites when it comes to Mexican lager – no lime required.

Tennent's 1885 Export Lager

Scotland
Brewed with Scottish grown barley, and water from Loch Katrine - Tennent’s lager sports a deep golden color and sparkles in the glass. Medium in body, a crisp bready malt character glides effortlessly across the palate. German Hercules and Tettnang hops impart a woodsy and herbaceous flavor to the finish, leaving the palate refreshed, yet eager for another sip. This crisp lager provides a refreshing foil to heartier Scottish favorites like fish and chips, bridies, and scotch eggs.

Weihenstephaner Vitus

Germany
Bavaria is home to one of the most revered breweries in Europe. It’s hard to find a brewery that’s better versed in both the art and science of brewing than Germany’s Weihenstephan. Tracing its roots back to the 8th century, Weihenstephaner officially commenced brewing in 1040, making it the oldest continuously operating brewery in the world. Their signature brew is their iconic Hefe Weissbier, but this week we’re eager to showcase a lesser-known gem – Vitus weizenbock.

Orval Trappist Ale

Belgium
To accommodate its large head of foam, make sure to decant into a glass with a deep bowl, such as a burgundy wine glass or Belgian beer chalice. Deep orange amber in color and topped with a mountain of rocky foam, the nose is earthy and herbaceous, displaying a minerality that’s accented by a hint of ripe pineapple. Light in body and spritzy upon the tongue, it delivers a hint of plum followed by flavors of cedar and mint. Hopped with Bavarian Hallertau, Slovenian Styrian Golding, and Alsatian Strisselspalt, the finish is dry and herbaceous, with sage and lemon peel giving way to lasting black peppercorn. The strains of Brettanomyces yeast in Orval allows it to change dramatically with time. Store upright in a cool dark place and revisit periodically to see how this ale develops over time. Fresher expressions showcase the hops, but by the twelve-month mark, the Brett character begins to shine. Those with the patience to hit the three-year mark are in for something magical, a vinous quality that evokes the finest dry sherries of Jerez.

Hofbrau Munchen Hefe Weizen

Germany
Hofbrau Munchen has been brewing beer since 1589 and they developed their weizen in 1602! Over the centuries the brewery has seen some changes, but what remains constant, is the world class beer. Hefe is German for yeast, weizen for wheat, and on a warm summer day, their refreshing Hefe Weizen is the go-to drink in the biergarten. Make sure to pour your weizen into a tall glass to release all the lovely fruity esters and spicy phenols that this yeasty Bavarian brew is famous for. Hazy golden amber in color, aromas of clove and banana float above a tall crown of white foam. Plush upon the palate, honeyed malt character gives way to a soft and bready finish with a lasting hint of lemon. Give this a try alongside salads, shellfish, and deviled eggs.

La Chouffe

Belgium
Pouring golden in color and topped with bright white foam, aromas of lemongrass, coriander, and banana float from the glass. Lively carbonation dances across the tongue, delivering a velvety wave of fruity sweetness that smacks of peach, pear, and banana bread. The finish is fruity and herbaceous, with a touch of peppery spice.

Duvel

Belgium
Brilliantly golden in color, with a tall crown of bright white foam, this unique Belgian ale possesses the crispness of a pilsner, but with the added complexity fruity Belgian yeast. Saaz and Styrian Golding hops provide a hop profile that is spicy, earthy, and herbaceous. Remarkably refreshing despite its high ABV, it pairs exceptionally well with a wide variety of cuisines. We find it especially delicious next to seafood dishes, with its brightness and lively carbonation providing a refreshing foil to richer preparations like Shrimp DeJonghe.

Krombacher Pils

Germany
Pilsner was invented in what is now the Czech Republic, but Northern Germany is famous for their crisper take on the style. Krombacher brews one of the best-selling pilsners in Germany and it’s one of our all-time favorites. Brewed with Hallertau hops, you can expect a finish that is snappier and spicier than a traditional Czech pilsner. Crisp, clean, and an affordable crowd pleaser.

Trappistes Rochefort 10

Belgium
Pouring a deep reddish brown and topped with a tall crown of fluffy beige foam, aromas of apricot, fig, and allspice float from the glass. Pillowy soft upon the palate, a wave of deeply caramelized malt washes over the tongue, followed by fruity flavors of baked apple and poached pear. The spirited and lasting finish is complex and vinous, delivering a tawny port like complexity, with notes of coffee and chocolate giving way to coriander, raisin, and orange peel. A must try alongside roasted nuts, dried fruits, and blue cheese.

Warsteiner Pilsener

Germany
Brewed with naturally soft spring water, this classic German pils pours deep golden in color and is crowned with white foam. It’s refreshingly crisp on the palate, delivering a bright herbal finish. A consistent crowd pleaser.

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