LCBO Food & Drink Winter 2017

BEER  THE DARK SIDE OF BEER

Abbey-Style

This category of beer is something of a catch-all for beers brewed in a style reminiscent of the ales created for centuries by Trappist monks in Belgium. They are beers full of flavour, with great food compatibility. Brewed with traditional Belgian yeasts, they almost always have an elevated level of effervescence and alcohol, giving them a comforting warmth that’s perfect for the chill of winter.

GLASSWARE AND SERVING TEMPERATURE

1

FLAVOUR The range is enormous, with many different styles. However, some flavours you may encounter are candied fruit, toffee, molas- ses, roasted nuts, caramel and licorice.

Rochefort 10 LCBO 374363, 330 mL, $4.40

48° TO 52°F

This iconic Trappist ale is still brewed by monks today and offers an abundance of complexity on the nose; dried fruit, nut and toffee aromas. Followed by a mouth- ful of delicious flavours including buckwheat honey, molasses, licorice and pecan tart. Heavenly? Indeed.

2

A chalice is the traditional glass choice, but a large snifter or stemless wineglass will also allow room for swirling and the release of aromatics. Serving temperatures should range from 48° to 52°F (9° to 11°C) depending on the beer.

Boulevard Brewing 2015 Bourbon Barrel Quad LCBO 473629, 750 mL, $14.95 A wealth of aroma! Think dates, roasted chestnuts and sticky toffee pudding leading into a mouthful of sweet, creamy nuttiness and sponge toffee.

COLOUR An abbey-style beer can range in colour from light golden to dark chestnut or brown.

3

AROMA The aroma of an abbey- style beer is typically full and complex. Quite often there are dried-fruit notes such as fig, dates and roasted chestnuts, and also sweet aromas such as honey, caramel and fresh pipe tobacco.

PAIR WITH ROASTED CHICKEN LEGS WITH ORANGE & GARLIC recipe on page 94

FOOD & DRI NK WINTER 2017 77