Originally Posted by number_6
Oranjeboom is the Budweiser of Holland, pretty much the cheapest beer (but still good). Of course the Belgian beers are so much better -- astonishingly so. My favourite is Duvel (means Devil), which is the Belgian's idea of a Scottish ale. Created after WW I in honour of some Scottish regiment that liberated a Belgian town. Never had beer like that in Scotland (or anywhere in the UK for that matter); one of the best beers in the world, but hard to find (also hard to ship, it kept shattering the bottles until they went to thicker glass).
Speaking of Four Peaks, I like their Kiltlifter. Is their Hef competitive with Widmer (which is the benchmark US Hef and quite good)?
I too love Duvel but 3 is the limit due to alcohol content. Funny enough the Groelsch isn't too bad here in the USA but it tastes like dishwater in Holland. The first time I drank one there I spit it all over our dining room floor! I had bought several cases of different brands for our house warming party. I thought I got a bad case of Groelsch but soon found out that it just tastes that way in Holland. I can detect some difference in Guinness in Ireland, but mainly attribute it to their nitrogen injection units on the taps - they seem to be in better shape than here. I also agree with you on Kiltlifter, very good stuff. Have you seen that Rio Salado Brewery has been sold?