Sommelier Says: Duvel Green on Draft

Beer Chat with Duvel USA's Sommelier

"Duvel (Green) on Draft? Isn’t that an oxymoron?!" Well, as Bob Dylan once said, "The times, they are a-changing."

Many people stumble over the idea of Duvel being available on draft. We’ve been asked many times, "Why mess with perfection?!" First of all, we take that as a compliment. Duvel, described by Michael Jackson as "One of the five greatest beers in the world," is indeed perfection in a glass. We offer no counter. However, the Duvel we all know and love remains, and will forever remain, unchanged. Duvel Moortgat has simply come up with yet another outstanding – and notably different- beer choice: Duvel Green on draft.

Duvel Green is a brand new beer produced especially for the US and UK markets. It is only available on draft as it was formulated specifically with this purpose in mind. The idea was to brew a beer that acknowledges the growing interest in Belgian session-style beers, yet has Duvel heritage, quality and tradition behind it. This leads one to ask why we didn’t just make the acclaimed Duvel available on draft...

This has been a question for decades; hence, we have your answer well versed. First, we recognize that it is difficult to manage secondary fermentation in kegged beer. Adjectives like inconsistency and unreliability come to mind, words not recognized in the Duvel dictionary. Refermenting in the bottle also creates a beer with a very high level of carbonation; reproducing this carbonation level in keg beer could create pouring dramas for differing draft systems, potentially affecting the consistent quality of the beer. Finally, we feel it worthwhile to acknowledge the interest for a lower-alcohol, more session-able option- without compromising the renowned Duvel drinking experience.

So, what’s the difference? Are they entirely different beers? The answer is both yes and no. Both use the same ingredients (fine Pilsner malts, Styrian Golding and Saaz hops, Duvel’s coveted yeast strain) and undergo the same primary brewing process. But at the end of the single fermentation process some of the beer heads off to become Duvel Green - 'Green' hence referring to its youth- and the majority goes into secondary fermentation to become Duvel. Thus, while both beers share the primary fermentation, many complexities are created by the secondary fermentation in the bottled beer. So, yes, there are differences between the two beers. Duvel in the bottle, besides being higher in alcohol (8.5% abv), offers more complex flavors and aromas. It also has a bigger head and more powerful carbonation. In comparison, Duvel Draft offers lower alcohol (6.8%), but with a lighter body, highly-refreshing tastes and aromas, and a bit less extravagant head. And its freshness makes it just oh-so-easy to drink.

As a dark, masked, handsome stranger recently said, "Duvel Green is a stand up beer whereas Duvel is a sit down beer." Well, there you go – now there is truly a Duvel for every occasion.

-Kate Stamps, Sommelier, Duvel USA

Related Features:

• To read more about Duvel Green and to discover fine bars and restaurants in your neighborhood that are serving Duvel Green on draft, click here.
• To learn more about Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat, click here.
• To see more of the fine beers imported by Duvel USA, click here.
• To discover the Belgian-style ales produced at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, New York, click here.