THE BELGIAN BEER SHOP
on the island of Malta
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THE BELGIAN BEER SHOP on the island of Malta |
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Updated 21 June 2011, original story 5 September 2008
taste the splendour of Augustijn Blond and Donker, and Bruegel at the Sun in Splendour
The Sun in Splendour is opposite Spinola Gardens, close to Portomoso and the Hilton and just not quite in Paceville. It boasts a surprising and cleverly created beer garden at the back and tables outside at the front overlooking the newly laid out Spinola Gardens.
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The Sun is well known locally as "The Beer Garden" and well known for its local and foreign regular charactors. It is open daily from 11am until late. There is live entertainment Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Donald has always offered a couple of more unusual beers in addition to the international lagers and the local brews. The Sun was probably the most southerly outlet for bottled "Cotswold Way" - an English bitter from a small brewery in Wickwar in Gloucestershire. It sells bottles of the famous German Weisse Bier - Erdinger Hefe.
And is now selling 3 bottled Belgian ales - Bruegel and Augustijn Blond and Donker
ABBEY BLONDS are light golden Ales brewed by commercial breweries in Belgium, either under license from a functioning abbey or named after a non-functioning (possibly ruined) abbey. They are usually around 6-7% in strength. A hugely popular style that was possibly first brewed for the French market. The Augustinian fathers of St Stefanus Abbey in Gent had been brewing beer at their abbey since 1295. In 1982, the brewing, marketing and distribution of the beer was taken over by Van Steenberge. In return the Abbey receive royalties The Abbey near the centre of Gent can be visited. Van Steenberge's Augustijn Blond is a 'living' abbey beer. It has a hoppy flavour with a malty background. You may also detect a light fruity vanilla flavour.The beer has an alcohol content of 7%
Augustijn Donker is a dark 7% ale in the style of am Abbey Dubbel. It is not distinctly sweet, as many would expect from a dark beer. It tastes rather lightly smoked with a touch of nuts and caramel. Its colour is redybrown hazel with a rich full foam head. The aroma is fruity (red fruit) and slightly smoked. The taste is mild with a touch of raisins and chocolate nicely balanced. The after taste is slightly bitter and semi-dry.
Bruegel is an excellent 5.2% Flemish Amber ale and would also pass for an extremely good bottled English bitter. Bruegel’s full-bodied flavour, refreshing after taste and aromatic head make the second one all the more inviting. The ideal drink to have with lunch. This beer combines well with all spices, from a hearty warm meat dish to a spicy salad.