I'm wondering if anyone can tell me more about that unique taste/smell Belgian beers always seem to have. I don't know how to describe it very well, (other than utterly aversive in my opinion) maybe warm and sour? Almost toxic in my personal opinion. It really gets into my nose. It is ALWAYS there, very strong (to me), in any Belgain ale I've ever tried. I've also occasionally tasted it in other types of beer that I really didn't expect to. A quick sniff will tell me if a particular beer has "that taste." Sorry, that was a pathetic description!
From what I can tell, it has something to do with using particular types of yeast, but I'm not sure, because I'm not sure what that "taste" is.
What I really want to know is:
1) Is it something to do with the strain (is that the right word?) of yeast that is used? I've read about particular yeasts used for Belgian style beers, are those the ones responsible for this taste?
2) Is there a recognized name for that taste/smell?
I'm more of a casual beer drinker than passionate homebrewer, but we do generally have a kit going all the time and play around with different hops. I want to know more about this taste and how to get it (or in my case, avoid it) before we start customizing any further.
From what I can tell, it has something to do with using particular types of yeast, but I'm not sure, because I'm not sure what that "taste" is.
What I really want to know is:
1) Is it something to do with the strain (is that the right word?) of yeast that is used? I've read about particular yeasts used for Belgian style beers, are those the ones responsible for this taste?
2) Is there a recognized name for that taste/smell?
I'm more of a casual beer drinker than passionate homebrewer, but we do generally have a kit going all the time and play around with different hops. I want to know more about this taste and how to get it (or in my case, avoid it) before we start customizing any further.