by Brouwerij Slaghmuylder

We all know Belgium is famed for their high strength beers but traditional Belgian breweries are showing an increasing tendency to have a lower ABV offering in their range.  

The ‘Speciale Belge’ style is said to have been introduced after the First World War, to offer drinkers an alternative to the Czech and German pilsners that were quickly taking over the beer market.  They are the Belgian ‘session beers’ with flavour, the most commonly known examples would have been beers such as Dekoninck or Palm. 

But more and more breweries are (re)introducing similar beers to the market, either in the style of a Speciale Belge or small Belgian Pale Ale.  

This Witkap Pater Special Amber is just such a beer, and probably fits somewhere in between the two styles.  It is darker in colour than a pale ale, so probably tends more to the Speciale Belge.  

The malt body feels light in the mouth, despite the darker colour.  The grainy malt offers just a hint of sweetness at the start.  Belgian yeast flavours and aromas dominate, with the dry and light mouthfeel giving in to a pleasant  earthy bitterness as the beer finishes.

 

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Country
Belgium
Alcohol
5.5%
Style
Speciale Belge
Size
330ml

More Speciale Belges

De Koninck

by Brouwerij De Koninck

This special belge is the official beer of Antwerp

De Ranke Franc Belge

by Brouwerij De Ranke

A new beer from De Ranke is this Belgian Speciale Belge

Gentse Strop

by Brouwerij Roman NV

A 'Speciale' Belgian ale, crisp and dry and very refreshing with a bunch of flavour

Kasteel Hoppy

by Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck

A Special Belge style beer, with a hopper profile than the traditional style

Palm

by Brouwerij Palm (Swinkels Family Brewers)

This Speciale Belge ale is easy drinking with flavour

Siphon Brewing Argon

by Siphon Brewing

A hoppy Speciale Belge with a good malt backbone supporting the Citra, Simcoe and Mandarina Bavaria hops

Troubadour Speciale

by Brouwerij de Musketiers

Amber ale with a spicy and malty character, crisp and light with a dry, slightly bitter finish.

Also from Brouwerij Slaghmuylder

Slaghmuylder's Kerstbier

by Brouwerij Slaghmuylder

A decidedly different and very interesting Kerstbier

Witkap Pater Dubbel

by Brouwerij Slaghmuylder

A dark but traditional-tasting Belgian Dubbel style

Witkap Pater Tripel

by Brouwerij Slaghmuylder

A typical Belgian Tripel from one of Belgium's old family breweries

Witkap Stimulo Blond

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A pleasant Belgian blond from the Witkap family of beers