Chicagoist's "Beer of the Year": Brouwerij Bosteels Deus (Brut des Flandres)

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Dec 31, 2008 6:00PM

There are some of us out there who don't like the taste of champagne; its understandable. But from the moment we tasted this week's "BotW" selection, we knew that no other brew we profiled this year would even come close to being named Chicagoist's "Beer of the Year." Well, Unibroue's 2002 Queleque Chose came close. But from Brouwerij Bosteels — makers of Kwak and Tripel Karmaliet — comes this unique offering that appeals to both beer geeks and wine snobs.

Miller has long called High Life "the Champagne of Beers. Bosteels' Deus (pronounced Day-au) is a biere de champagne brewed in a two-stage process. After its initial brewing in Belgium, the beer is transported to France's Champagne region where it undergoes a second fermentation via the "méthode champenoise" for an additional nine months. The champagne yeast really refines the bubbles on this, while still maintaining the sweetness of the malt and adding a dryness comparable to, well, a brut champagne.

We were so floored tasting Deus at an industry show in September at Mrs. Murphy and Sons that we ran out to Binny's on the way home to grab a 750 ml bottle. At around $40, Deus is priced comparable to Moet, Mumm and other popular French bubblies. And it's a treat to drink, to boot. Fitting that we end this year's "BotW" offerings with an actual champagne beer.

Image courtesy 40 Beers at 40.