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chatRare Beer Club 4-Bottle Selections - February 2025
Straffe Hendrik Wild 2024
Brouwerij De Halve Maan – Bruges, Belgium
[Wild Fermented Belgian Tripel Ale - 10% ABV]
Brouwerij de Halve Maan (Half Moon) is the last authentic family brewery in Bruges' city center. The site has housed a brewery for over 500 years, and Halve Maan's story begins in 1856 when Leon Maes, also known as Henri I, took ownership of the brewery. Today, under the leadership of Xavier Vanneste, the sixth generation, Halve Maan continues to celebrate its storied history and dedication to the art of brewing. It's our pleasure this month to bring our members two very limited offerings from this superb brewery.
Straffe Hendrik Wild 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. Brewed just once per year, it's naturally 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.
Pouring a hazy golden amber with a frothy, off-white head that retains well and leaves intricate lacing, Straffe Hendrik Wild offers complex aromas of ripe stone fruits like apricot and peach, along with tropical hints of pineapple and mango. Subtle citrus zest-like orange and lemon-adds brightness, while the wild yeast contributes earthy and barnyard elements, complemented by gentle floral hops and a touch of spice. On the palate, this wild tripel exhibits a medium body with lively carbonation plus an intricate balance between fruity sweetness, spicy warmth, and tart funkiness. 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 2024 is a masterfully balanced beer, marrying the robust character of a traditional Belgian tripel with the unique, dynamic qualities imparted by Brettanomyces fermentation.
Brugse Zot Blond
Brouwerij De Halve Maan – Bruges, Belgium
[Belgian Blonde Ale - 6% ABV]
Brugse Zot Blond pours a vibrant golden yellow with a touch of haziness and a thick and creamy white foam head that's 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, Brugse Zot Blond starts off with a gentle malt sweetness with honey and lightly toasted bread flavors. Fruity esters come 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. Medium bodied with a smooth and creamy mousse made of tightly packed bubbles, Brugse Zot Blond displays moderate carbonation with a lively effervescence and smooth mouthfeel. The finish is long, refreshing, and crisp, with lingering fruity and spicy notes. 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. Enjoy!
