PALM Speciale receives a great review by Entree
PALM Speciale is the best selling ale in Belgium, and has just recently become available in New York (draft only). Don’t be fooled by its amber color, it is neither heavy nor bitter, and is a true alternative/upgrade for your customers who drink Heineken or Stella Artois. It is slightly more flavorful than those brews, with a clean finish. The beer experts who measure such things, say PALM has a bitterness unit of 18, which places it squarely between Heineken and US mainstream, domestics.
“We have been carrying PALM for six months,” said Julien Goiran, general manager of BXL Café. “My customers have been surprised by it. At the beginning, it was not that famous, the name PALM was not well known. But then people tried it, and they really love it now. It is a Belgian amber ale, so it is really a classic beer. What the customers appreciate about it, is the drinkability. You can have a couple, or even four or five.
PALM Speciale is brewed at Belgium’s largest independent brewery, also named
PALM, which dates back to 1747. The Speciale style (which is a variation of ale) originated in the early 1900’s, in response to a spate of lagers and pilsners to hit the European market. Speciale style ales are very flavorful, yet very drinkable. Part of the complexity owes to a yeast strain similar to that used with Trappist beers, and also Kent Golding Hops. It is its roasted Champagne Malt which gives it the rich amber color, without the hitter tastes found in most dark beers. Noted beer writer Michael Jackson describes PALM Speciale as “exceptionally fresh, with aromas of toasty malt, a bitter-orange palate and a tartly refreshing finish.”
As is common with authentic Belgian brews, they are replete with there own glassware, designed to enhance taste. PALM’s glassware, which is available to on-premise accounts (speak to your wholesaler representative), has a proportionally large hall to hold the bulk of the liquid, and then a narrower mouth, creating a smaller head to beer ratio. “I think it is part of the success,” said Julien. “People really like it. The size of the glass is perfect, it fits great in your hand.”
This article is from Entree Magazine, V. 15 N. 1