Valeir Extra
Valeir Extra© BeerTourism.com
The Brewery
Beer Style
Blond Specialty Beer; IPA (India Pale Ale)
The Beer
In 2007 Gavere was named at the top of the list of the Villages of the Tour for the Ronde van Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders cycle race.
Such an honour is a big taste of the spotlight for any community in this cycling-mad region.
Brouwerij Contreras saw an ideal opportunity to honour local cycling champion Arthur Decabooter with a new beer.
Arthur’s nickname was El Toro, but that name was already trademarked, so to keep the beer going they needed a new name, coming up with Valeir Extra by 2008.
A Valeir is the name given to the soldiers who fought at the Battle of Gavere between Philip the Good and the people of the city of Ghent in 1453.
A statue of the soldier features on the labels of the four beers that Contreras produce under the name.
Valeir Extra is an extra hoppy, blond beer that takes its inspiration from the IPA (India Pale Ale) beer style. IPAs – originally a British beer style - tend to be extremely bitter and can be highly aromatic as well.
The heavy hopping of the original IPAs was meant to help preserve them for the long sea journey to the UK’s thirsty Indian armies.
These days, the international craft brewing scene has fallen in love with the style.
Those made by Belgian brewers tend to be balanced, well-hopped, quite bitter and aromatic. Valeir Extra is a prime example in this style.
The Contreras range also includes a Valeir Blond, Donker, Divers (triple) as well as a spirit named Valeir Coffee.
Alcohol
6.5% ABV
Fermentation
A top-fermented beer that re-ferments in the bottle.
Ingredients
Valeir Extra is made with water, barley malt, Sterling and Amarillo aroma hops, sugar, and yeast.
Colour & Transparency
Valeir Extra is a slightly cloudy beer with a golden-blonde colour in the glass under a delicate, white head.
Serving Temperature
6°C / 42°F
Serving Glass
The Valeir beers are served in an elegant, branded chalice that rests on a tall stem.
Character, Tastes & Aromas
Valeir Extra has the fragrance of hop cones and is aromatic and zesty with hop bitters in the finish.
It is a well-balanced and complex degustation beer.
Culinary
This hoppy blond is equally happy in the company of a mild sheep’s cheese as it is with a strong, blue-veined cheese of the Roquefort type.
It is also recommended in pairing with deep-fried fish, fish burgers and zesty or spicy dishes, a pizza diavola for example.
Keeping and Storage
Keeps in the bottle for 24 months. In kegs it will keep for up to 12 months.
Always store your bottles upright in a cool and dark place.
Keeping the beer longer than advised by the brewery will not improve this beer. As with all well-hopped beers, the 'hoppiness' diminishes over time.
Availability
Bottle ✔ On Tap ✔
Valeir Extra is available in 33cl bottles and kegs of 20l and 30l.
Contreras is well represented locally so in it's home region you will have no trouble finding it on the menu. Around Belgium you will find the beers from Gavere via the usual channels; abroad you will be able to find them too.
Comments
You must be logged in to leave a comment
SHARE:
You Might Like
Brewery Van Honsebrouck - Bierkasteel
Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck, well known for it's "Kasteel" beer range, now offers their Bierkasteel beer experience; brewery visit, event location, restaurant, bar and shop. Open from 10th August 2016.
The Duvel Moortgat Brewery caters to everyone’s tastes with 3 different brewery experiences. From complete novice to experienced beer lover, Duvel has the brewery visit package for you.
Everything you ever wanted to know about (Belgian) beer under one roof. You get to feel, smell and taste ingredients and discover the typical Belgian beer styles. Come celebrate Belgian beer culture in heart of historic Bruges! Shop and bar are accessible without visiting the museum.
The ultimate book on Belgian beer; a 704 page illustrated hardcover written by Erik Verdonck and Luc de Raedemaeker. Discover how brewing works, how to tap, pour, taste and store your beer; which beer styles and types there are, how to pair beer and food, must-try beers and what about the new craft beer trend? The Belgian Beer Book covers it all.
BLOG
POSTS
Brewers of Europe Forum 2019: Craftsmanship on the old continent
ANTWERP - Brewers from 59 different countries flocked to attend the Brewers of Europe Forum 2019 in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Hall, right next to the renowned Antwerp Central Station building. ... [ more ]
Craftsmanship and balance at brewery Van Steenberge
ERTVELDE - To track down a brewer within his own domain is a high-ranking form of sports, or that’s the impression I get. After a bit of practice I spot Jef Versele, CEO of the Van Steenberge brewery, well hidden amongst... [ more ]
Brussels Beer Challenge 2018 - The results!
MECHELEN - The historic city of Mechelen, halfway between Brussels and Antwerp, is truly a hidden gem. The presence of the Dukes of Burgundy, who ruled here in the late middle ages, still permeates the ancient city centr... [ more ]
Best of Belgium Beer & Bites pops up at Brussels Airport
BRUSSELS/ZAVENTEM - This year Brussels Airport is 60 years young! The airport is planning to mark this milestone by showcasing the very best of Belgian produce, which would not be complete without ... [ more ]
Trappist beer meets whisky, Chimay Grande Réserve Fermentée en Barriques 2018
At the BeerLovers’ Café just behind Liège’s City Hall we get together to taste the limited edition Chimay Grande Réserve Fermentée en Barriques 2018, a Trappist beer aged in whisky barrels. T... [ more ]
More Beer
The brewers at Bosteels pay a lot of attention to using the right glasses to complement their beers. The Kwak glass could well be one of the most iconic drinking vessels in Belgium... [ more ]
Beer Tourism Newsletter Signup
Enter your name and email address on the right and click "SignUp" to join.