There they sit, the Dutchman and the devil, foes enveloped in fumes and plumes. Now it is peace they seek, a liquid respite from their intense duel. Van Hunks proffers a Belgian style brew — dry, fruity, with a touch of spice —a golden ale sparkling like the sun.

Review courtesy of our Sensory Specialist, Travis Houston, a Certified Cicerone and FoBAB judge.

Malts: 2-Row, Pilsner, Flaked Wheat, Acidulated, Dextrose

Hops: Magnum, Saphir

Van Hunks is debuting in cans. Could you talk us through the story behind this beer and the decision to bring it into our seasonal lineup?

With so many malt forward beers released around this time, we decided that a dry, flavorful Belgian was just what we wanted after the barrage of winter warmers and stouts.

What are the notable characteristics of this beer?

Malt and hops both take a backseat to the fruity, spicy aromas and flavors created by Belgian yeast. This beer is extremely dry and crisp while still delivering loads of flavor.

What are some of your favorite Belgian Golden Ales?

Duvel (Dutch for “Devil”) literally invented the style, and started the Devilish naming convention. Delirium Tremens from Brouwerij Huyghe is another classic, world-famous example. Goose Island’s Matilda is also great.

What makes you want to drink this beer?

This beer is light bodied and dry, but still loaded with notes of fruit and black pepper.

Appearance: Crystal clear, and light gold with a bright white head.

Aroma: Hints of pear, apple, and black pepper from Belgian yeast.

Taste: Dry with low bitterness and hints of malt. Fruity esters and spicy notes from yeast round out the flavor, which finishes clean and crisp.

Mouthfeel: Very light bodied and dry with a crisp finish.

Overall: Fruity and spicy Belgian yeast flavors dominate the aroma and flavor in this extremely dry golden strong ale.

What foods pair well with Van Hunks?

Belgian beers are world famous for going well with almost any dish, but I like pairing them with something spicy. My favorites are Thai and Indian dishes, like Pad Thai and Vindaloo.

Ideal glassware for Van Hunks?
A snifter.