Belgian beers: Duvel
Brewed by the Duvel-Moortgat brewery, Duvel is one of the brands that have worldwide recognition.
The beer is strong, has a great taste and a unique foam composition that makes the beer stand out and well praised.
1871, a brewery was born
Jan-Leonard Moortgat, owner of the Moortgat farm/brewery, struggled to survive amongst 4000 other family breweries in Belgium.
His strategy was brewing high fermentation beers like Stavelot. Some were a compelte disaster, but some grew to have a loyal fanbase.
Around 1900 his 2 sons, Albert and Victor join the business. Albert takes the brewing for his account and Victor the delivery an logistics.
During the first world war, the Moortgat brewery comes into contact with the British ales and Albert, being a business man, notices the british ales sell exceptionally well.
Albert leaves for a crusade in Britain in search for a local type of leaven to use in his beers. To this day, grown leaven from this original piece are still being used.
1923, a brand was born
After world war I, the Moortgat brewery created an ale they called "Victory Ale" until someone tasting the beer called it "Nen echte duvel" (flemish for "A real devil"). Since then, the beer was marketed as Duvel. The brand struggled at first, but it eventually became the flagship of brewery Moortgat, and one of the best known Belgian beers in the world.
The Moortgat brewery started growing enormously around 1970. In 1999, Moortgat brewery was introduced into the Belgian stock market with a new name "Duvel Moortgat". Ever since, Duvel Moortgat uses his flagship Duvel to export more beers to over 40 countries.
The beer
Duvel has a fruity aroma. The flavor is dry, yet sweet from the alcohol with a strong aroma of hop.
Duvel is brewed with the highest quality in mind. If you want to serve a Duvel, be sure to apply the same standards:
- Alwas store Duvel upright
- Keep between 4°C and 10°C
- Serve only in a special Duvel glass
- The glass needs to be dry & clean
- Tilt the glass when pouring
- Foam should be starting at the Duvel logo until right under the edge of the glass
- Leave 1cm in the bottle
Duvel is suited as an appetizer, with several meals as thirst-quencher and after dinner with cheese.
