The Beer

India Pale Ale, or IPA, is an out-and-out success story on an international scale. That we know this beer style at all, is thanks to the Brits. When they created this beer, they added extra hops so the IPA would be able to weather the long sea journey to India unharmed.

Fast-forward a few years and US microbreweries are discovering the style. They emphasise this beer’s hoppy bitterness, using American and exotic, bitter and aromatic hop varieties. With Houblon Chouffe, Duvel Moortgat introduced their first Belgian IPA. This was to be followed by Duvel Tripel Hop and finally the Vedett IPA.

Vedett is a heritage brand, named after an export pils that first came onto the market in the 1940s. This retro label lingered in the background for dozens of years until it was revived with a relaunch to fashionable, young clubbers in Brussels in 2003. It is now enjoying a renaissance.

Since the relaunch, the Vedett IPA has been joined by the Vedett Extra Blond pils and the Vedett Extra White wheattbier. The Vedett Extra Ordinary IPA is an unfiltered, top-fermented beer that re-ferments in the bottle. Two varieties of American hops are added during the boiling process and a further two are used for the dry hopping.

The result is a refreshing, hoppy and complex beer with fruity, floral and green aromas underpinned by citrusy flavours (grapefruit), with a mild bitter taste and a long, dry finish.

Alcohol

5.5% ABV

Fermentation

Vedett IPA is a top-fermented beer that re-ferments in the bottle. It is left to re-ferment in both the warm and cold rooms.

Ingredients

Vedett IPA is brewed using 100% natural ingredients: water, yeast and slightly coloured barley malts.

Two varieties of American hops are poured into the boiling kettle and a further two American hops are used for the dry hopping.

Colour & Transparency

This copper-coloured beer stands out with its slightly cloudy appearance, characteristic of an unfiltered beer that re-ferments in the bottle.

A slight pearlisation occurs underneath a luxurious, cream-coloured head of froth.

Serving Temperature

3 – 6 °C / 41 ° F – 42 °F

Serving Glass

Vedett IPA is served in a cone-shaped, branded, multifaceted Vedett glass.

Character, Tastes & Aromas

The wonderful and exceptional aroma of this beer is clearly derived from the use of different varieties of hops. These come to the fore in a balanced marriage between hints of sub-tropical citrus fruits and, on the other hand, an abundance of floral as well as green, fresh aromas.

The taste has a pronounced, but mild bitterness that gains in intensity towards the finish, when impressions of bitter grapefruit come through. This gives the beer its thirst-quenching character and helps the beer to go down very well.

All of this is fired up by a smooth, malty undercurrent with hints of sweet caramel reaching the surface. Vedett IPA ends with a long-lasting, dry finish that really stays with the drinker.

Culinary

Vedett IPA makes a great taste pairing with spicy Eastern wok dishes, lamb, veal, fillet of pork, coquilles St. Jacques and herring. Try it with vegetables such as spring onions, radishes, asparagus, celeriac, cauliflower, parsnips and chicory.

Finally, on the cheese front, we can recommend a combination with red-veined cheeses. Vedett IPA is also the ideal partner for desserts made with dark chocolate, pink grapefruit, tangerines, avocado or lychees.

Keeping and Storage

Vedett IPA keeps in the bottle for 12 months without affecting its taste or colour. It should be stored in a dark and cool environment.

It is not advisable to keep this beer for longer than one year. Barrels should be stored vertically to allow the yeasts to blend. Bottles should also be stored vertically.

Availability

Bottle ✔       On Tap ✔

Vedett IPA is available in 33cl bottles and on tap (20l). Vedett is an important brand for the Duvel-Moortgat brewery and, just like La Chouffe, you will find it easy to track down this beer in Belgium and far outside its borders.

Other Duvel Moortgat Beers