Might I point out that sprint has sprung. Isn’t it obvious? Cold wintery nights, grey dull days, bitter winds and the constant threat of fuel price hikes – if Dostoevsky and Chekov were still alive they would be wrestling to bottle this and pour it into their next texts.
What to do? If this was January we’d be down the gym thinking, okay I can do this, I can beat this bloody weather with my next set of crunches; if it was December we’d be donning the beer (gin, wine or Scotch) coat and thinking on to turkey, Port, Roger Moore and that elusive pair of slippers from Foster & Son of St James. Next year Santa, please. But what do you do when spring has arrived? Slump into the doldrums and think ‘will it ever end?’ – you could. Or you could take a step towards the cellar and draw forth a bottle or two of Duvel’s triple hop.
If you like to partake in Duvel’s regular serving of rich 8.5% Belgium brew then this takes your taste experience to a different level. The hopiness comes in almost right away, but it’s not like a slug of farm brewed nutty liquor which punches you so hard in the face you wake up smelling of cheap women and barely cooked meat – or is it the other way around? No, this is more a drink for the connoisseur of continental offerings. There is a distinct Belgium overtone here which comes – so I’m informed on good authority by my tweed wearing, ale-loving chum – from the esters. Packing a serious alcoholic punch at 9.5% it’s not to be trifled with, but there’s no boozy hit and the sweetness is tempered with the yeasty layer.
Pick up a bottle or two and stick a couple of fingers up to Jack Frost who will no doubt be peering into your lounge with envy as you pop the top off your new found friend.
Duvel Triple Hop is available from all good stockists of beer. For more information, visit the website. And if you’re visiting Belgium, you may wish to pay a visit to arguably the most spectacular beer house in Europe, De Hopduvel, specialising in local micro breweries.
