Belgian Beer Month at Toronado -- long

[Joan Kureczka]

It's that time of year. I was not able to make the lunch on the 4th this year due to severe back problems but reports from the resident beer geek were that the beers served were more of the overally sweet and alcoholic variety.

However Jesse propped me up in a corner and we went for beer and (Rosamunde) weenies this week, to sample some of the draft goodies that Dave has brought in.

I can highly recommend the Saison Dupont on draft, especially with the wild boar sausage from Rosamunde. The beer is rich, hoppy and dry, and would be a nice match not only with the sausage, but with tandoori. Chicken tikka to be specific. Really nice beer -- if you want to try it on draft get there very very soon -- we got the first samples of the second of ? barrels. It won't be available on draft much longer, but might be in the bottle. Lovely stuff, a bit drier than Orval if you know that one.

I also sampled the Cuvee de Konick and Maredsous 10. The Maredous 10 was winey, rich but well balanced. Probably good with mussels or a somewhat richer dish. The Cuvee de Konick was a perfect balance of spice/hops with winieness, with a dry finsh. I had visions of this with a great pate or again with the wild boar sausage. Highly reocommened.

Belgian beers are a specialty of Toronado, but the Belgian Beer Month is rather special, so head there soon if you are interested in this sort of thing.