We tend to think of beer as something we drink before or during a meal, but beer at the end of a meal – surely not? Sherry, port, dessert wine, liqueurs or brandy are the tipples most usually associated with completing a culinary repast. I have been researching the beer market and would suggest that there are several beers that are best appreciated in small quantities at the end of a meal, preferably to accompany a fine cheese board. These dessert beers are very strong (7 -13%) and have very rich complex flavours.
Foremost amongst the dessert beers I would place Trappist ales. These are specialist beers brewed by Trappist monks at abbeys in Belgium and the Netherlands. The only beers allowed to be called Trappist are, Achelse, Orval, Chimay, Rochefort, Westmalle, Westvleteren and La Trappe. Belgian beers that are similar in style but not actually produced by monks are generally referred to as Abbey ales, the best known brands are Leffe, Maredsous and Kasteel. These can be found in major supermarkets, specialist off-licences and via internet retailers. I would recommend starting with a Westmalle Dubbel (7%) which is a reddish brown beer with a rich complex fruity taste. This beer can be found in major supermarkets such as Waitrose for as little as £2.30 a 330ml bottle.
There are also a number of British beers which would be suitable for drinking at the end of a meal. I have been particularly impressed with the smooth, moreish Traquair House Ale (7.2%) which is brewed in Scotland and is widely available from about £2.30 for a 330ml bottle.
Another contender as dessert beers are Imperial Russian Stouts. These are very strong (7-13%) dark beers which have intense flavours of chocolate, liquorice and coffee. Sussex brewer, Harvey’s of Lewes produce a very fine Imperial Extra Double stout (9%). This retails for around £2.65 a 275ml bottle. A type of beer which was once popular and could be viewed as a dessert beer is Barley Wine. Gold Label barley wine is still available, albeit in cans and several small brewers offer their own take on this once popular strong brew.
I recommend sampling dessert beers in small amounts – try pouring half a 330 ml bottle into a small wine glass and sip slowly whilst working your way through the cheese board. These beers should be served at around 12 C. Although they all can be drunk immediately some will improve with ageing and some beer writers maintain that the beer will change in character over the years in the same way as a fine wine. Dessert beers usually come in 330 ml bottles and prices vary according to strength, expect to pay for £2.30 - £4 a bottle. This may seem expensive but this is quality beer, made is small batches and is meant for sipping, not quaffing.
Enjoy your beer drinking and try to sample real ales, local breweries and speciality beers rather than bland supermarket brews.