Duvel Belgian Golden Ale and Vega Talanga Cigar

The Ale
Duvel Golden Ale
8.5% abv
1 pint 9.4 oz bottle
Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat
Belgium

On the bottle it says, “The pilsner malts, Bohemian hops, and unique yeast strain combine to create Duvel’s intensity, aroma and oomph.”

This ale pours a pale golden color with plenty of white foam for the head. The lacing on the glass just clings on for dear life.

The aroma is that of a fresh cut Fuji apple and spice – slightly peppery.

The texture is fresh and crisp from start to finish. The mixture of hops and malts make me think of pink peppercorn, slightly sweet with a delicate peppery note. With a hint of fruit, a touch of citrus, and some tasty yeast and malts, it all combines for a delicious golden ale. If you want to experience a well-balanced brew give Duvel Golden Ale a try.

I recommend this as a must buy.




The Cigar
Vega Talanga - blue label
This is one of those cigars you cannot find any longer. This was a very good value cigar. My only disappointment with this cigar is that I did not buy more when they were being closed out. Solid flavor for the bucks you spend. This cigar to me always had a toasted white bread quality along with pecan nut taste and a touch of sweet cedar flavor.

If you read the previous posting I had a difficult time pairing this ale up with a cigar. The ale has a very tasty pink peppercorn like quality with a touch of citrus but, when the cigar was oaky that brought out the bitterness in the ale. Then the cigar with the coffee profile just didn’t do this ale justice.

So, I was thinking that a cigar with an earthy profile that is not complex or a smooth and simple tasting cigar might just do the trick. I noticed the Vega Talanga cigar in my humidor and thought this would do the job – simple but tasty in profile. I could not think of any tasting notes in this cigar that would bring out the bitterness in this ale.

The Pairing

Home Run! This is a very fine pairing. The toasted white bread and pecan notes of the cigar mingle well with the malts and the slight taste of sweet cedar does a fine balancing act with the pink peppercorn and that touch of citrus from the ale.

I get to enjoy all the fine flavors of this delicious ale and the taste of the cigar stays true to what it is.