Style: IPA
Brewery: Duvel Moortgat
Origin: Belgium
Size: 33cl
Alcohol: 5.5%
Price: 30kr
Systembolaget: 82828
Duvel Moortgat is a Flemish family-controlled brewery founded in 1871 in the Antwerp province, and “Duvel” is an Antwerp dialect for devil. Vedett was the name given to a lager Duvel was producing in 1965, but this brand has since grown to produce witbier and this IPA. This was first brewed in 2014 and has a walrus for a mascot (each beer in the range has a different animal). Brewed with Simcoe and Cascade hops and then dry hopped with Centennial and Chinook, which are all classic American varieties. This beer was paired with some simple cheddar.
This was clear and crisp gold to light bronze in colour with a white head that clung to the edges of the glass for a fairly long time. A refreshing note of grapefruit peel, pine and grass formed the aroma. The bitterness came through fast, with a crisp malt backbone helping to balance it. Tastes of lemon peel, pine needles, moss and honey compete on the palate, with a gentle persistent bitterness on the back of the tongue. Well carbonated and crisp, this beer left the mouth invigorated.
This was a well-made and easy to drink IPA that ticked all the boxes it should. Maybe it won’t blow people away, but I could easily drink a few of these in a session, especially on a warm day enjoying a barbecue. Very nice indeed!