Van Steenberg De Garre 750ML

Van Steenberge De Garre 750ML is an 11% ABV Belgian tripel brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge as the exclusive house beer of the renowned De Garre pub in Bruges, Belgium. Earning an outstanding 97 score on BeerAdvocate across hundreds of reviews, this tripel has built a devoted following among Belgian beer enthusiasts who seek it out for its rich malt complexity and warming strength.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11%  |  Origin: East Flanders, Belgium  |  Style: Belgian Tripel  |  Brewery: Brouwerij Van Steenberge

Production & Heritage

Brouwerij Van Steenberge operates out of Ertvelde, a village in Belgium's East Flanders region, and has long been a contract and collaboration partner for specialty Belgian ales. De Garre was developed specifically as the house tripel for the tiny, famous De Garre pub tucked down an alley in the heart of Bruges. The grist bill combines Pilsner, pale, and Munich malts — with three times the standard malt charge to reach its formidable 11% ABV — while Saaz and Aurora hops contribute gentle bitterness and mild floral aroma without overpowering the malt-forward character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with striking apricot and ripe banana, followed by layers of vanilla, honey, and a peppery spice note. A vinous warmth lingers beneath, along with subtle floral hop presence and a trace of citrus zest.

Taste: The entry is generously sweet, led by honey, biscuity malt, and vanilla. Mid-palate brings phenolic spice — clove, coriander, and a touch of bubblegum — before orange zest, dried fig, and a hint of banana weave through. The high ABV delivers a noticeable but well-integrated warmth that keeps the sweetness in check.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, with lingering honey, subtle cracker-like malt, and a gentle peppery fade. A faint citrus brightness stays on the palate, balancing the residual sweetness.

How to Drink De Garre

De Garre is best served in a wide-mouthed chalice or goblet at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, which allows the complex aromatics to fully express themselves. A Belgian Peach Fizz — blending a small pour with peach nectar and sparkling water — highlights the beer's fruit-forward character. A Tripel Shandy using fresh lemon juice and a touch of honey syrup tames the ABV while amplifying the citrus notes. For a warming winter drink, a Hot Tripel Toddy with cinnamon, clove, and a thin slice of orange peel leans into the beer's natural spice profile.

Best For

• Gifting a Belgian beer enthusiast who has explored the major Trappist labels
• Special-occasion dinners where a high-ABV ale can stand alongside rich cuisine
• Building a curated Belgian tripel tasting flight at home
• Sharing with friends who appreciate rare or pub-exclusive European beers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does De Garre taste like? De Garre delivers a rich, sweet-leaning profile of honey, vanilla, banana, and biscuit malt, layered with clove, coriander, and orange zest, all carried by a warming 11% ABV backbone.

How does De Garre compare to Westmalle Tripel? Westmalle Tripel, the archetype of the style at 9.5% ABV, is drier, more restrained, and citrus-driven, while De Garre leans sweeter, spicier, and fuller-bodied with its higher alcohol content and triple-malt charge. Both are highly regarded Belgian tripels, but De Garre trades Westmalle's elegant precision for bold intensity.

Is De Garre good for sipping neat? De Garre is ideally suited to slow, contemplative sipping from a goblet — its 11% ABV and layered complexity reward patience and reveal new notes as the beer warms slightly in the glass.

Where is De Garre made? De Garre is brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge in Ertvelde, a village in the East Flanders region of Belgium, under commission as the exclusive house beer of the De Garre pub in Bruges.

What foods pair well with De Garre? Roasted chicken with herbs complements the beer's malt sweetness and spice. Aged Gouda or Gruyère mirrors its caramel and honey tones. Mussels in cream sauce echo its Belgian heritage. Pork belly with apple chutney balances the richness with fruit. Crème brûlée or bread pudding aligns with the vanilla and biscuit notes in the finish.

What sizes does De Garre come in? De Garre is commonly available in the 750ml bottle format, designed for sharing or a generous solo pour.

Is De Garre worth the price? De Garre positions as a premium Belgian tripel, and its 97-point BeerAdvocate score, exclusive pub heritage, and 11% ABV place it firmly among the top tier of the style — strong value relative to comparably rated Belgian ales.

Why De Garre?

Few Belgian tripels carry the backstory of being born as the exclusive house pour for a single centuries-old pub in Bruges. The triple malt charge that drives De Garre to 11% ABV sets it apart from lighter tripels and delivers a density of flavor — honey, vanilla, banana, dried fig — that few in the category can match. Its 97-point BeerAdvocate score places it in rare company among commercially available Belgian ales. For drinkers who have worked through the Trappist canon and want something with genuine provenance and boldness, De Garre fills a distinctive space.