There is a long history in Belgium of beer being brewed by monks to sell to help with the upkeep of the Abbey. 6 Abbeys still brew. But others have licensed the use of the Abbey's name in return for royalty payments.

Van Steenberge's BORNEM DUBBEL is brewed under licence from the Sint Bernardous Abbey situated in Bornem. Bornem Dubbel is a beer in the style of beers still brewed at the Abbeys of Westmalle (Westmalle Dubbel) and Chimay (Chimay Red). A 'dubbel' means that the brewer uses twice as much malt as for a regular beer and this gives the beer its full round and rich flavour, its warm dark brown colour, its bordeaux red undertones, and its fruity flavour. You'll also find a hoppy aftertaste in this velvety soft beer. It is said that the monks ate or drank nothing other than their Dubbel during Lent. Bornem is 'living' abbey beer, which means that after the primary fermentation in the brewery, the beer continues to evolve during the second fermentation in the bottle and that it has a small amount of yeast sediment in the bottle so should be poured carefully into its own special glass. It has an alcohol cotent of 7%

Van Steenberge's AUGUSTIJN had been brewed by the Augustinian fathers of Gent since 1295. In 1982, the recipe for the beer was taken over and improved by Van Steenberge, who also took over the marketing and distribution. In return they pay a royalty to the Augustinian Abbey in Gent. Augustijn Blond has a hoppy flavour with a malty background. You may also detect a light fruity vanilla flavour. It too is 'living' abbey beer, so should be poured carefully into its own special glass. Augustijn has an alcohol content of 7%.

Van Steenberge's GULDEN DRAAK is a beer in a class of its own. It is a beer that is rich and glowing, so full of its very own characteristic flavour, that it reminds some who try it of chocolate and others of coffee. In 1998 Gulden Draak was crowned “best beer in the world” by the American Tasting Institute! This beer has won many other awards too. Gulden Draak is named for the golden statue at the top of the clock tower of the Belgian city of Gent. The statue was originally given to the city of Constantinople by the Norse King Sigrid Magnusson in 1111, during the crusades; hence the form of a Viking ship that the beast was given. During a later crusade, Boudewijn IX (Count of Flanders and Emperor of Constantinople) took it back to Flanders with him because it was so beautiful. In 1382, the cities of Brugge and Gent did battle for the statue. Gent won. It too is 'living' beer, so should be poured carefully into its own special glass. It has an alcohol content of 10.5%

But the special beers don't end here. There are 2 special Italian beers. A special Danish beer and a special English beer These are:-

PERONI GRAN RISERVA is the highlight of Peroni's beer range. It is a "double malt" beer with an alcohol content of 6.6%. This beer is the result of the careful selection of aromatic hops, and a variety of barley named "cherie". The aromas are of caramel, nut and spice. The taste is sweet and long lasting. and the palate is silky.

BIRRA MORETTI ZERO is a pale, bottom fermented beer with an intense aroma, a medium body, a balanced and aromatic taste and a beer that is both light and pleasant to drink. Most importantly it was developed for those who wish to enjoy their beer without having to deal with the effects of alcohol - it contains 0% alcohol.

CERES STRONG ALE is most imported beer into Italy and has contributed to giving many people there a more varied taste in beverages in this traditionally wine-drinking country. Ceres Strong Ale is brewed at Ceres Bryggerierne in Denmark. It has a distinct vinous character. However, it is not a heavy beer since raw grain (maize) has been used to soften the taste. It should be drunk chilled, preferably in large, stemmed glass. Why not try it with your food instead of a glass of red wine? The alcohol content is 7.7%

SHEPHERD NEAME are England's longest established brewers. BISHOPS FINGER is full-bodied with complex fruit flavours, brewed to a traditional Kentish recipe. It is one of Britain's best-loved ales and is also exported in bottles to more than 30 countries worldwide. It is a nut-brown, nourishing ale with a lingering hoppy finish, an ideal companion to food, or it can serve as a delicious digestive after a meal. What's behind the name? Well, a Bishops Finger is an unusual finger-shaped signpost still found in Kent, which once pointed pilgrims on their way to Canterbury. The alcohol cotent is 5.4%