Brouwerij De Halve Maan - Brugse Zot Blond

This month the Rare Beer Club is proud to bring you another very special beer from world class brewery Brouwerij De Halve Maan, the Brugse Zot Blond. This beer is very hard to come by in the US and is usually only found in 11.2oz bottles. For this feature, the importer brought in 750ml bottles of Brugse Zot specifically for the Rare Beer Club.

The Brouwerij De Halve Maan Brugse Zot Blond pours a vibrant golden yellow, with a touch of haziness. The thick and creamy white foam head is well retained and leaves behind persistent lacing. The aromas are quite fruit forward with esters of ripe banana, pear, and subtle apples tones. There are also soft hints of lemon zest, lemon blossom, and orange peel adding a citrus kick. As we dig deeper, a light malty backbone appears with notes of honey, fresh bread, and biscuit. This is well supported by hoppy notes that deliver subtle herbal, floral, and earthy undertones, along with mild spicy phenolics from the Belgian yeast lending touches of clove and coriander.

On the palate the Brouwerij De Halve Maan Brugse Zot Blond starts off with a gentle malt sweetness with honey and lightly toasted bread flavors. Once we passed the malty notes, fruity esters came to life in the form of banana and pear, golden apple, and bright, zesty citrus. As in the aroma, we found the yeast driven phenolics of clove, white pepper, and coriander quite pleasing. Mild herbal bitterness from noble hops adds a nice depth and nuance to the tasting experience, bringing a balance to all the flavors. The Brouwerij De Halve Maan Brugse Zot Blond is medium bodied with a smooth and creamy mousse made of tightly packed bubbles. The carbonation is moderate giving it a lively effervescence and smooth mouthfeel. The finish is long, refreshing, and crisp, with lingering fruity and spicy notes causing us to anticipate each and every sip.

Brouwerij de Halve Maan’s Brugse Zot Blond will mature nicely over the next 2-3 years or more; however, we recommend taking full advantage of this fresh bottling and drinking now. The complexity of the fruity and spicy yeast profile makes it extremely food friendly and it pairs with a wide variety of international fare. Start with a cheese course that includes creamy camembert, then move on to shrimp croquettes or crispy calamari. We’d also recommend roasted chicken or pork tenderloin, Belgian-style pommes frites with creamy mayo, and Belgian waffles with powdered sugar for dessert. Cheers!

The site of Brouwerij De Halve Maan has housed a brewery for over five centuries. In 1856, Leon Maes, also known as Henri I, took ownership of the brewery. Generations of "Hendriks" followed, and in 1981, Veronique Maes, a trailblazer as one of Belgium's first female brewers, assumed leadership as the fifth-generation brewer. That same year, she introduced Straffe Hendrik, a beer crafted to honor the brewers who came before her and to embody the brewery's heritage and history. Straffe Hendrik became the brewery's flagship beer, shaping its future for the next four decades and beyond.

For over a century, the brewery on Walplein street in Bruges has produced distinctive beers, faithfully preserving a brewing tradition passed down through generations. Today, under the leadership of Xavier Vanneste, the sixth generation, Brouwerij De Halve Maan continues to innovate while maintaining its rich legacy. From home deliveries by horse and cart to the installation of an innovative beer pipeline, the brewery's journey reflects a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. As the last authentic family-owned brewery in the historic heart of Bruges, Brouwerij De Halve Maan proudly celebrates its storied history and dedication to the art of brewing.