Taste of Belgium, Cincinnati’s home for Belgian bier, has added another unique offering to its lineup – Duvel on draft – now available exclusively at its Over The Rhine bistro.
Duvel is a strong golden ale originally brewed in 1918 to celebrate the end of World War I. Known as one of the best biers in the world, Duvel was only available in bottles until 2018. Duvel – which translates to Devil – is brewed with a unique double fermentation process that lasts about 90 days, first in tanks held just below the freezing point and then again in the bottle to bring its final ABV up to 8.5% and requiring high levels of carbonation – so high that Duvel’s iconic bottle shape was designed out of necessity to contain the pressure.
The challenge to offer a draft version of Duvel was how to deliver a bier at that high level of carbonation from a standard tap and still achieve the same characteristics of the bottled version. Duvel accomplished this feat with a unique draft system specially designed with a 3mm line that throttles back the carbonation pressure so it doesn’t generate too much gas or foam in the glass. Poured correctly by holding the glass at a 45-degree angle to the tap results in a pour that is indistinguishable from the bottled version.
The draft version of Duvel has only been in Europe since 2018 and just recently became available in the US. Taste of Belgium is the fifth location in the United States to have this devil of a bier available on draft.
“After visiting Belgian Bier Weekend last year in Brussels and seeing Duvel on Draft for the first time I knew this was something that we needed to bring to Taste of Belgium,” said Jean-Francois Flechet, owner of Taste of Belgium. “We are on a mission to introduce our guests and bier lovers to the most interesting Belgian biers, and we are extremely excited to have the opportunity to partner with Duvel to bring this unique experience to Cincinnati.”
Getting this bier to Taste of Belgium wasn’t easy. Not only did it require investing in the dedicated draft system and equipment, but Flechet also needed to convince Duvel that Taste of Belgium was the right place to serve it.
“We are very selective in choosing the best establishments that will pour our draft bier,” said John Mediate with Duvel Moortgat USA. “We are seeking partners with our same dedication to quality and passion for educating people about beer. We foundthat with Jean Francois and his team”
Taste of Belgium features over 30 Belgian biers on draft. The Over the Rhine Bistro is located at: 1135 Vine Street, Cincinnati OH 45202. Operating hours are:
- Mon – 7am-3pm
- Tue-Thu – 7am-10pm
- Fri – 7am-11pm
- Sat – 8am-11pm
- Sun – 8am-8pm
Crowler fills of Duvel on draft are also available at the OTR location,