The Best Places To Buy Duvel Beer In Belgium

Duvel is a Belgian beer that has been described as the best experience with beer so far by some drinkers. It is a Belgian strong ale with a subtle bitterness, a refined flavour, and a distinctive hop character. The beer is fermented in tanks at 20-26°C and then matured in storage tanks where it is cooled down to -2°C. After bottling, the beer undergoes refermentation in warm cellars and is then moved to cold cellars to continue maturing for six weeks. This maturation process contributes to Duvel's refined flavour and pure taste. Duvel has a high alcohol content of 8.5% and is known for its enormous head, fine effervescence, and silky smooth mouthfeel. It has a slightly fruity, dry aroma with a hint of pear and a well-hopped, slightly bitter aftertaste. Duvel is available for purchase in Belgium, the Czech Republic, and the United States, with distribution worldwide.

Duvel Beer online

Duvel Beer, a Belgian beer brand, is available for purchase online from several retailers. The official Duvel website offers a Beerfinder feature, which allows users to find stores and restaurants near them that sell Duvel Beer. The website also offers delivery services, allowing customers to get Duvel Beer delivered straight to their doorstep.

In addition to the official website, there are other online retailers that sell Duvel Beer. For example, The Belgian Beer Company, a UK-based company, offers a range of Duvel Beers on their website, including the Duvel 6.66%, Duvel Tripel Hop Citra, and Duvel Barrel Aged Batch. They offer free shipping for mainland UK postcodes (excluding Scottish highlands) on orders over £75 and provide a click-and-collect service. The Belgian Beer Factory, another online retailer, offers a wide range of Belgian Beers, including Duvel, and provides delivery services as well.

Duvel Beer is also available for purchase on the Belgian Style Ales website, which ships door-to-door to most US addresses. This website offers a toll-free number with live customer service and well-researched product information. Additionally, they offer unique gifting options for those looking to gift someone a special beer.

For those looking to purchase Duvel Beer in Belgium specifically, the Belgian Beer Factory is a great option. They offer a wide range of Belgian Beers, including Duvel, and provide quick delivery services within Belgium.

Duvel Beer in-store

Duvel Beer is available for purchase in-store at select retailers. The beer is distributed in over 60 countries worldwide, so availability may vary depending on your location. Here are some options for purchasing Duvel Beer in-store:

The Belgian Beer Company

The Belgian Beer Company offers a range of Duvel Beer products, including mixed cases and individual bottles. They provide free delivery for orders over £75, or you can utilise their click-and-collect service. The company offers a 5% discount when you subscribe to their newsletter.

Belgian Beer Factory

Belgian Beer Factory is an online retailer that offers Duvel Beer for purchase. They have been in business for over eight years and ship packages to end consumers all over Europe. In addition to the beer, they also offer a matching glass and related products such as gifts, kegs, gadgets, and accessories.

Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More offers Duvel Belgian Ale in a 4-pack of 11oz bottles. The price, vintage, and availability may vary by store, so it is recommended to check with your local store for more information.

It is always a good idea to check with local specialty beer stores or liquor stores in your area to see if they carry Duvel Beer. Additionally, some grocery stores may also stock Duvel Beer, depending on your location.

Duvel's brewing process

The brewing process of Duvel, the "quintessential Belgian Beer", is a complex and carefully executed procedure that ensures the beer's distinctive flavour and character. Here is an overview of the key steps involved in the brewing process:

Ingredients

Duvel is crafted using carefully selected ingredients, including two-row summer malts and noble hops, specifically Saaz and Styrian Golding hops. The choice of hops is essential to the unique character of Duvel, with only the highest-quality hop varieties used to impart a lively bouquet and a hint of citrus, tending towards grapefruit.

Brewing

The brewing process for Duvel is a slow and meticulous one, taking 90 days to perfect. This lengthy process results in a highly carbonated beer with an incredibly fine-poured head and excellent head retention. The beer is slow-brewed with the finest ingredients to achieve its heavenly taste.

Fermentation

Duvel undergoes a secondary fermentation process in the bottle, known as refermentation. This step is crucial to the beer's character, contributing to its pure character, delicate effervescence, and pleasant sweet taste of alcohol. The refermentation also enhances the beer's subtle bitterness, refined flavour, and distinctive hop character.

Maturation

Following fermentation, Duvel is matured for an extended period. This lengthy maturation process further refines the beer's flavour, ensuring a well-balanced taste profile. The long maturation period is a key factor in the overall quality and character of the final product.

Dry Hopping and Flavouring

In some variations, such as the Duvel Single Fermented, the beer is dry-hopped with Citra hops, adding subtle citrus notes and a gentle herbal, green hoppiness. This process enhances the beer's refreshing character and imparts unique flavour characteristics.

Bottling and Packaging

After the maturation process, the beer is carefully bottled and packaged. The classic Duvel is bottled, while the Duvel Single Fermented is packaged into kegs and cans. The different packaging methods accommodate varying preferences and serving styles.

The brewing process of Duvel is a testament to the brewers' dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Each step, from ingredient selection to fermentation, maturation, and packaging, contributes to the unique character and flavour profile that has made Duvel a renowned and beloved Belgian beer.

Duvel's history

Duvel is a Flemish family-controlled brewery founded in 1871 in Antwerp Province, Belgium. The brewery was founded by Jan-Leonard Moortgat, who was descended from a family of brewers that lived in Steenhuffel, Belgium. In 1923, Duvel Brewery launched its first beer, Victory Ale, to celebrate the end of World War I. The name "Duvel" is Brabantian, Ghent, and Antwerp dialect for "devil", and the name was inspired by a comment made by a local shoemaker, who remarked that the beer was "a real devil".

The yeast used in Duvel is said to have been sourced from Scotland by Albert Moortgat, who embarked on a journey to the UK in 1918 during World War I in search of a specific English yeast strain. The yeast is still cultured from that strain today.

Duvel has since become a popular beer, enjoyed in over 60 countries worldwide. The beer is known for its bitterness and carbonation and is considered the definitive version of the Belgian Strong Pale Ale style. It is brewed with Pilsner malt and dextrose and hopped with Saaz hops and Styrian Goldings.

Over the years, Duvel has diversified its beer portfolio and acquired several other breweries in Belgium and internationally. The company has also received numerous awards and recognitions for its beers, including gold medals at the Brussels Beer Challenge and being named the best Belgian beer at the World Beer Awards in London in 2018.

Duvel's glassware

The Duvel Tulip Belgian Beer Glass is a popular choice, with a 330-millilitre capacity that perfectly complements the beer. These glasses are available on Amazon, with customers praising their quality and aesthetic appeal. The reviews highlight the glasses' ability to elevate the Duvel beer-drinking experience, with some considering them a "perfect compliment to a great beer."

In addition to the standard tulip-shaped glasses, Duvel has released unique glasses designed by American artists. For example, the 'Kansas City' Duvel glass, designed by Eric McLaghlin, showcases the Kansas City skyline with the iconic "Western Auto Landmark sign." Duvel also partnered with the Cleveland Institute of Art to release a glass designed by Jane Tierney, featuring a local art glass in Ohio.

The Belgian Beer Company also offers a free Duvel glass with the purchase of a Duvel mixed case, providing an excellent opportunity for customers to experience Duvel's beers in their signature glassware.

Frequently asked questions