Beers of Belgium Trivia Quiz

Answer: Six

Apart from the Belgian six, there was a Dutch abbey and a German one. The number of beers with the official logo has increased over the years. The rules are more about stopping commercial factory-style production than about the beer itself. Numerous breweries make a Trappist style beer, known as "Abbey Ales".

Many are well-respected by beer enthusiasts, but the stamp of approval is a sure-fire guarantee.

Answer: Affligem

The six are Chimay, Westmalle, Rochefort, Orval, Westfleteren and Achel. Achel is the smallest and least known of them. Despite having been founded in 1648, the brewery has had a chequered past. Destroyed in the French revolution, even pillaged by the Germans in World War I (for its copper, not ale), it eventually got going again in 1998. Affligem took a very different road to the Trappist Breweries, being sold to Heineken.

Answer: La Chouffe

La Chouffe beers come in a 1.5 litre Champagne style bottle, and are widely available. Lupulus has a wolf on the label, Ardenne Blond has a fingerprint. Achel isn't from the Ardennes, but from the Limburg area.

Answer: Sezoens Blond

Sezoens Blond is made by Martens, the oldest brewery in Limburg, having been on the go for over 250 years. Orval has a taste all of its own that some people love, others detest. In 2010 there was a fire at the Rochefort brewery but fortunately nobody was hurt, and no beer lost.

Answer: Cheese

Lots of abbeys also make cheese. Cheese made by Trappists at Westmalle and Chimay are widely available, even in supermarkets. A perfect accompaniment to a Belgian beer, cheese cubes are often served in drinking establishments. Many Belgians claim French Fries were "invented" in Belgium and get irate that Americans call them French Fries.

However, the name has nothing to do with France, coming from an old English verb meaning to cut. In Britain we call them chips thus evading the wrath of the Belgians.

Answer: You have to buy it in person, at the brewery

Despite the high demand for the beer (it's often been voted best beer in the world), the monks state: "We are no brewers. We are monks. We brew beer to be able to afford being monks." Westvleteren can now only be purchased after reservation. Belgians also make fruit beer, such as Kriek which is made by fermenting lambic with sour Morello cherries.

Answer: Blue, red and white

Chimay Rouge has a sweet, fruity aroma. Chimay Bleue is the strongest (9% alcohol) and is the most widely available. Chimay Blanche, aka Chimay Triple, or even "Cinq Cents" is my favourite thirst-quencher. There's also one brew just for the monks (known as a patersbier) called Chimay Dorée, which is not as strong as the others (4.8%).

Answer: Bush

Bush clocks in at a huge 12%, much too strong for most tastes. The East Flanders (Ghent) brew called Delirium Tremens (8.5%) is a fairly recent contender, starting production in 1989, but quickly becoming known world famous. Jupiler (5.2%)is the biggest-selling beer in Belgium, but isn't that different from other regular lagers, thus hasn't got such a high profile abroad. Karmeliet Tripel is brewed in East Flanders at a brewery that's been pumping out ale since 1679.

Answer: It's served in a round-bottomed glass

Kwak is served in a glass that looks a bit like a mini yard of ale which is propped up in a wooden stand. It's unclear why, but the novelty is not lost on foreign beer tourists. Kwak is made by the same folk as Karmeliet Tripel in East Flanders. Even the most-seasoned drinker would struggle with a litre serving, although some might be daft enough to try.

Answer: They make a non-alcoholic one, Duvel White

Duvel Green is very hard to find in Belgium, and slighly snubbed by serious Duvel fanatics. Duvel brewers warn against pouring the whole bottle's contents into the glass and recommend leaving about a centimetre, but connoisseurs fall on both sides of the fence. They say it depends if you're in the mood for a sweet taste (don't pour it all), or a bitter taste (do).