Brouwerij De Halve Maan - Straffe Hendrik Wild 2024

This month the Rare Beer Club is proud to bring you a very special beer from a world class brewery and one of our favorites, Brouwerij De Halve Maan, the 2024 Straffe Hendrik Wild. Brewed just once per year, this is a special variant of the brewery’s iconic Straffe Hendrik Tripel which has been refermented in the bottle for three months with wild Brettanomyces yeast, making for a uniquely funky, fruity variation on the original. Straffe Hendrik Wild is a very lightly distributed beer throughout the United States and the Rare Beer Club’s allocation is the only 750ml bottle portion of what was imported for the recent 2024 vintage.

Straffe Hendrik Wild pours a hazy golden amber with a frothy, off-white head that retains well and leaves intricate lacing on the glass. The beer’s effervescence is visible, with fine bubbles rising steadily, hinting at its refermentation with Brettanomyces. The nose offers a complex bouquet of fruity and funky aromas. Notes of ripe stone fruits like apricot and peach blend harmoniously with tropical hints of pineapple and mango. Subtle citrus zest—like orange and lemon—adds brightness. The signature Brettanomyces character contributes earthy and barnyard elements, complemented by a gentle floral hop undertone and a touch of spice from the yeast.

On the palate, the Straffe Hendrik Wild tripel exhibits an intricate balance between fruity sweetness, spicy warmth, and tart funkiness. Flavors of green apple, pear, and overripe banana unfold alongside tangy grapefruit and subtle lemon acidity. The Brett adds a dry, mildly funky complexity, with layers of hay, leather, and an underlying herbal note. A light honeyed malt backbone provides body, while peppery phenols and a gentle clove-like spice round out the flavor profile. Straffe Hendrik Wild has a medium body with a lively carbonation that gives it a crisp and effervescent mouthfeel. The dryness, enhanced by the Brett, cleanses the palate without being overly astringent, creating a refreshing and elegant drinking experience.

The finish is dry and slightly tart, with lingering flavors of citrus, mild Brett funk, and a whisper of warming alcohol. There’s a hint of bitterness from the hops, which integrates seamlessly into the beer’s complex profile. Straffe Hendrik Wild tripel ale is a masterfully balanced beer, marrying the robust character of a traditional Belgian tripel with the unique, dynamic qualities imparted by Brettanomyces fermentation. It’s a beer that evolves with time, making it ideal for aging or savoring immediately for its vibrant and intricate flavors. Perfect for fans of both traditional Belgian ales and wild, funky brews.

Straffe Hendrik Wild tripel is appropriate for some cellaring time, perhaps up to 5 years or more; however, drinking now is very rewarding. The complex profile of Straffe Hendrik Wild, with its fruity, funky, and slightly tart characteristics, makes it an excellent pairing with a variety of dishes. As a cheese course, we suggest aged Gouda for its nuttiness, tangy Roquefort, triple-crème brie, and the tartness of fresh goat cheese. The Straffe Hendrik Wild will also pair well with mussels in white wine and leek sauce, smoked salmon, and Thai Curry. For dessert, try the Straffe Hendrik Wild tripel with lemon tarts, bosc pear cobbler, or crème brulee. 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.