De Graal was one of the first breweries I went to visit when we had the idea of bringing Belgian beers to Australia. A true home brewery in the sense of the word, I followed directions to a residence in the small village of Brakel which lies between the cities of Kortrijk and Brussels.
I wasn’t sure I was in the correct spot as all I saw were residences. Approaching the house, I approached an elderly lady tending her garden who assured me I was in the right place as she invited me into the back shed. I was given a De Graal Tripel and left in the brewery while I waited for her to bring her son who was the brewer, Wim.
The brewery surprisingly large scale given that it was in the back shed. De Graal actually makes quite a few beers for other breweries, and Wim is something of a brewing educator in the region.
The De Graal beers are very much traditionally Belgian in style, and none more so than the Tripel. Exactly what you’d expect with a solid malt backbone supporting a yeasty and somewhat herbal, spicy beer.