The Belgian Beer Styles Every Enthusiast Should Know

Belgium is famous for the huge variety of beer styles it produces. Unlike other countries where just a handful of main styles dominate, Belgium offers an extraordinary diversity of flavour profiles, fermentation techniques and regional traditions. Getting to know these styles is the first step to understanding why this country is considered the world capital of beer.

What are Dubbel and Tripel, and how do you tell them apart?

Dubbel is a dark, mahogany-coloured beer with notes of caramel, dried fruit and spice, typically between 6% and 8% ABV. Tripel, on the other hand, is golden, high-fermentation, with spiced aromas and notes of tropical fruit, usually between 8% and 10% ABV. Both are at the heart of Belgian monastic tradition and rank among the most recognised craft beers in the world. Westmalle Tripel is widely considered the world reference for the style.

What is Witbier, and why did it nearly disappear?

Witbier is a wheat beer flavoured with orange peel and coriander. It's cloudy, pale yellow in colour, with a soft, refreshing texture. This style nearly disappeared during the 20th century but was rescued in the 1960s by Pierre Celis, a Belgian dairyman who relaunched Hoegaarden. Today it's one of the most accessible and popular styles among Belgian beer lovers.

What is a Saison, and where does it come from?

Saison is a craft beer style originally brewed on Walloon farms for agricultural workers during the summer. It's light, refreshing, with fruity and spiced aromas and high carbonation. Its ABV ranges between 5% and 8%. Today it's one of the most highly regarded styles among craft beer enthusiasts worldwide.

What is a Quadrupel, and when should you drink it?

Quadrupel is the most intense of the Belgian beer styles. Dark, with an ABV between 10% and 14%, it offers complex aromas of dried fruit, dark caramel and spice. It's a beer meant for slow tasting, ideal alongside blue cheeses and rich desserts. The most celebrated versions come from Trappist abbeys such as Rochefort and La Trappe.

A Diversity Without Equal

Dubbel, Tripel, Witbier, Saison, Quadrupel: each of these styles tells a different part of Belgium's brewing story, blending monastic heritage, farmhouse tradition and craft revival. It's this richness of flavour profiles, unmatched anywhere else in Europe, that makes Belgium an essential destination for any enthusiast curious to discover new tastes.