Brouwerij Verhaeghe is undoubtedly much better known for its Flemish sour ales such as Duchesse De Bourgogne. But they also have the ‘Barbe’ label in their portfolio.
Belgian brewers are great lovers of brewing tradition, and many beer names are references to long-lost brewing operations. The Barbe label is a nod to the old medieval brewery Barbe D’Or in the nearby town of Leige. Though the name also affectionately translates as ‘Black Beard’.
There are several different beers in the Barbe range, with this being the Belgian Export Stout which has been brewed since 2011.
It pours a deep black colour with a fluffy white foam. Presented in its correct class, it really is an attractive beer. A lovely roast malt bitterness is balanced by a chocolate and dark fruit sweetness. There is more than a hint of coffee, an earthy hop bitterness, a slightly sour edge and a smooth creamy mouthfeel.