Abbaye de Scourmont · Wallonie

The queen of Belgian Trappists.

Deep brown ale, notes of dried fruit, gingerbread and dark chocolate. Refermented in the bottle. Gains complexity with age — some are drunk after ten years.

Pairs with: a carbonade flamande, blue cheese, dark chocolate

Abbaye de Scourmont · Wallonie

The classic, for beginners.

Amber dubbel, fruity and malty notes, slightly spiced finish. Less powerful than the Bleue, more approachable.

Pairs with: the daily special, a charcuterie board, vol-au-vent

Abdij Westmalle · Vlaanderen

The world reference for tripel.

Golden, hopped, lively. Aromas of banana, clove and citrus. Considered by many to be the best tripel in the world.

Pairs with: a carbonade, roast chicken, Belgian fries of course

Abbaye d'Orval · Wallonie

The original. The unique. The brett-dry.

Pale, dry, heavily hopped with a touch of Brettanomyces that evolves in the bottle. No other beer resembles it. One single beer at Orval — but what a beer.

Pairs with: Orval cheese, warm goat cheese salad, as an aperitif

Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat · Vlaanderen

The devil in the bottle.

Strong golden blonde, dense foam, dry and hoppy finish. Don't trust the colour: 8.5% well hidden. Serve very cold in the tulip glass.

Pairs with: mussels, a spicy dish, an aperitif with friends

Brouwerij Huyghe · Vlaanderen

The pink elephant in the room.

Strong blonde with complex character: alcohol, spices, a long dry finish. Iconic stoneware bottle. The Delirium café in Brussels made it a legend.

Pairs with: Liège-style meatballs, aged cheese, rich fries

Abbaye de Leffe · Wallonie

The best-known abbey in France.

Golden blonde, notes of vanilla and citrus, soft finish. A balanced abbey beer, approachable, perfect to begin an evening.

Pairs with: fries with samurai sauce, vol-au-vent, a gratin

Brouwerij Anders! · Vlaanderen

The lively blonde from the north.

Golden blonde, slightly fruity, refreshing. An accessible beer that pairs wonderfully with rich dishes and moments among friends.

Pairs with: a cone of fries with andalouse sauce, a summer day

Brouwerij Herberg · Vlaanderen

Abbey brown, generous.

Amber brown, notes of caramel and dark fruit. Rounded on the palate, slightly sweet finish. Perfect for long evenings.

Pairs with: a carbonade, sugar tart, abbey cheese

Brouwerij Bosteels · Vlaanderen

Served in its coachman's glass.

Strong amber, caramelised notes, malty finish. 18th-century origin: designed to be drunk on horseback, hence the round-bottom glass in its wooden stand.

Pairs with: a carbonade flamande, game, aged cheese