Devil Dogs and Bitter Belgian Beer – Are You up for the Challenge?

Uncategorized — By admin on March 23, 2008 12:00 am

 

Cafeeke

Calle del Cuchilleros, 3
T: 91 366 98 42

By Ben Dornan

Tucked away behind the imposing Plaza Mayor on calle
Cuchilleros you can find the Belgian Beer Café. If you’re a fan of the
arts of the Flemish master brewers then this place has to be a regular stopping-off
point. They have an excellent selection of beers on tap and in bottles. All the classics can be found
- Chimay, Orval, Leffe, Duvel, Belle Vue to name but a few.

Each brewery’s offering comes in a range of styles and states
of potency and as you’d expect every beer is strictly served, according to
Belgian custom, in its appropriate glass. A word to the Irish
publicans of Madrid
- isn’t this more civilised than serving pints of Guinness in Heineken glasses
and vice versa?

They also serve more than a couple of decent Gueze’s. Among
aficionados this is considered the champagne of the lowlands’ amber nectar
but be warned – it’s an acquired taste and is generally above 8% alcohol. Why
is it that beers predominantly named after religious institutions and
traditionally brewed by Trappist monks are like liquid rocket fuel? Something
to do with the Vandevelde act apparently.

For those who want to take things a little more tranquilamente they have a range of
fantastic fruit beers. These are generally slightly sweet and are a 100%
natural offering (no alcopop chemical bombs here) that genuinely
taste like the fruit illustrated on the label. Not as strong as the
blondes, wheat beers and the rest, they are the perfect beverage to
sup while indulging in a little tourist watching in the late afternoon spring
sunshine. If you’re in any doubt about what to order just ask for a
recommendation from one of the informative and friendly staff. They know
their beers.

The authentic Belgian bar snack food is also pretty passable.
The tosta tartar came highly recommended, which in Belgium is called something
like a ‘cannibal’. Yes, as you’re already thinking, this is raw minced steak
mixed with herbs and egg on toast but it’s actually totally delicious and
will help sustain you as you try out a few of the stronger ales.

A quick mention to the real star of the establishment – the small but
lively “guard dog” with her own kennel by the front terrace. Standing
less then a foot tall, she has those stupid mini-radar-dish ears
you see on mutts over here and a face only a true dog lover could find
appealing but she entertains and terrorises patrons and passing tourists in
equal measure. She’s named after the most popular beer in Belgium – Duvel
- “devil” in Flemish. That gives you an idea of her personality.