REVIEW #82: Vicaris Generaal (Brouwerij Dilewyns)

Pours a dull brown until held to the light, upon which it magically transforms into a gorgeous deep ruby red. It also has an everlasting silky beige head. Sourness on the nose is reminiscent of an Oud Bruin such as Liefman's Goudenband (review #46) but this sits nicely alongside a heavy malt scent. Lovely roast malt taste up front, think Ovaltine and drinking chocolate. This fades to a dry, peppery biscuit and hazelnut finish with plenty of warm alcohol. Hop aroma is minimal but a fair amount of bitterness is present throughout. The sourness in the nose takes a backseat in the taste; this isn't a Flemish Brown, but one of those dark, malty, complex 'brune' beers (albeit a sourer interpretation) that the Belgians have made their own.

Brouwerij Dilewyns ferment Vicaris Generaal ("Vicar General") at around 24C, lager (age) it at 1C and then secondary ferment it in the bottle. This beer was brewed at brewery-for-hire De Proefbrouwerij prior to Dilewyns opening their own brewery in 2011 in Dendermonde, East Flanders. A Vicar General, by the way, is a Catholic priest who deputises to the Bishop of a diocese. It is decreed that a Vicar General must have at least 30 years working knowledge of canon law or a degree in theology. It wouldn't be a Belgian beer without some link to religion would it?

• MALTS: 3 malts
• HOPS: ?
• IBU: mid
• ABV: 8.8%
• BOTTLE CONDITIONED, no spices added (unusual for a belgian beer!)

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