I fell in love with the Belgian Beer Culture back in 1983 after reading the late Michael Jackson’s book “The World Guide to Beer”. It described how the Belgians revered beer.
From each individual beer being poured into its own special glass, to the renowned “Cuisine a’ la Biere” (cooking with beer), to the specialized beer bars and shops, it was clear that no other country’s beer culture could compare.
Heck, Michael even wrote that if you were at one of the specialty bars in Belgium and were served a specific beer that was not poured in it’s signature glass, you could send that beer back, and ask the beer server to get it right! Now that’s respect!
The times they are changing. Over the past 39 years, I never saw a picture (in any magazines, websites, TV, etc.) of a Belgian pouring any Belgian beer in a glass other that the signature glass for that beer- until now.
I recently joined a Facebook group that highlighted Belgian beer. I saw lots of beers being poured into glasses that were not their signature ones (people from Belgium doing this!) I can understand people outside of Belgium not having access to the right glasses (in the USA, you can get signature glasses from our friends at Belgian-Style Ales). But to me, there is NO excuse for people in Belgium with the vast retail resources there not to have the correct glass. It’s just pure laziness if you don’t.
When I saw the blasphemous picture of a Chimay Grande Réserve being poured in a lowly bud glass (as seen above), I had to speak up! I also mentioned that if you are going to take a picture of a beer and don’t have the signature glass to pour it in, then pour it in a stemmed, non-logoed glass. Many people liked what I had to say about respecting the Belgian Beer Culture in the way it is meant to be. More so, I was called out for being legalistic, “why don’t you relax”, etc. It is obvious that may people drinking Belgian beer (especially those in Belgium) simply don’t hold the respect they once had. I’m not saying all are this way, but from what I saw, there were a lot.
The times, they are changing. And as for me and the Facebook group, I decided to leave. A Trappist ale is to be enjoyed with respect and reverence.
Gordon A. Ponce
CEO – Beer Review Journal
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