Piraat 750ML

Piraat 750ML is a 10.5% ABV Belgian Strong Ale brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge, bottled in a 750ml format. Winner of a Gold Medal at the 2012 World Beer Cup, this unfiltered, bottle-refermented ale stands apart from the Belgian strong ale pack through its distinctive use of wine yeast during fermentation.
Quick Facts: ABV: 10.5%  |  Origin: Ertvelde, East Flanders, Belgium  |  Style: Belgian Strong Ale  |  Brewery: Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
Production & Heritage
Brouwerij Van Steenberge has been brewing in the village of Ertvelde, near Ghent, since 1784 — making it one of Belgium’s oldest independent family breweries. Piraat is brewed with barley malt, hops, sugar, and notably wine yeast, a choice that lends the beer a vinous complexity uncommon in the Belgian strong ale tradition. The beer is unfiltered and unpasteurized, with a secondary refermentation in the bottle that builds natural carbonation and allows the flavor to develop over time.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Sweet caramel and bready malt greet the nose first, followed by subtle herbal and citrusy esters. Orange zest and a faint Belgian yeast spiciness round out the bouquet, hinting at the complexity within.
Taste: The entry is rich and sweet with caramel malt and ripe dried fruit — think raisins and figs. The mid-palate opens into peppery phenolics, lemongrass, and bready grain, with the wine yeast contributing a layered, vinous depth. Clove spice and a well-integrated alcohol warmth emerge as the flavors build, balanced by a moderate hop bitterness.
Finish: Moderately long with a dry hop bite and lingering black pepper spice over a bready malt backbone. A carbonic bite keeps things lively, while the warmth of 10.5% ABV settles in gently without becoming harsh.
How to Drink Piraat
Pour into a tulip glass or Belgian goblet at 46–50°F to let the complex aromatics fully express themselves; this beer rewards patient sipping neat. A Belgian Beer Spritz — Piraat topped with a splash of sparkling water and an orange twist — tames the ABV while highlighting the citrus notes. A Strong Ale Shandy blending Piraat with fresh lemonade works well in warm weather, as the caramel malt pairs beautifully with tart citrus. For a cocktail-minded approach, try it in a Beer Flip — shaken with a whole egg, simple syrup, and nutmeg — where the wine yeast character adds a richness most ales cannot match.
Best For
Sharing with fellow Belgian beer enthusiasts during a tasting session
Pairing with a multi-course dinner as a conversation-starting centerpiece
Gifting to a craft beer collector who values World Beer Cup medal winners
Cellaring for special occasions — the bottle refermentation allows graceful aging
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Piraat taste like? Piraat delivers a rich blend of caramel malt, dried fruit (raisins and figs), and peppery phenolics, layered with citrus esters and a warming but well-integrated 10.5% alcohol presence. The wine yeast fermentation adds a vinous depth that distinguishes it from more straightforward Belgian strong ales.
How does Piraat compare to Duvel? Piraat is notably sweeter, maltier, and spicier than Duvel, with a higher ABV (10.5% versus Duvel’s 8.5%) and a richer body due to its wine yeast fermentation. Duvel leans drier and more effervescent, while Piraat favors depth and warming complexity.
Is Piraat good for sipping neat? Absolutely — at 10.5% ABV with layered fruit, spice, and malt flavors, Piraat is built for slow, contemplative drinking from a proper Belgian glass. The unfiltered, bottle-refermented character reveals new nuances as it warms slightly in the glass.
Where is Piraat made? Piraat is brewed at Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V. in Ertvelde, a village near Ghent in the East Flanders province of Belgium. The brewery has been family-owned and operating at the same site since 1784.
What foods pair well with Piraat? Rich stews like Belgian carbonnade flamande complement the caramel malt beautifully. Aged Gouda or Gruyère echoes the beer’s nutty, caramel depth. Roasted pork belly matches its sweetness and spice. Fig and walnut tarts mirror the dried fruit notes. Blue cheese like Roquefort stands up to the assertive ABV and peppery finish.
What sizes does Piraat come in? Piraat is commonly available in 750ml bottles as well as 330ml bottles, with the larger format being ideal for sharing and allowing more controlled pouring of the sediment from bottle refermentation.
Is Piraat worth the price? Piraat positions as a premium Belgian strong ale, and the 750ml bottle delivers strong value given the Gold Medal pedigree, 10.5% ABV, and the complexity that wine yeast and bottle refermentation bring to each pour.
Why Piraat?
The use of wine yeast is the detail that separates Piraat from the crowded field of Belgian strong ales — it introduces a vinous character that pure brewer’s yeast simply cannot replicate. That distinction earned it a Gold Medal at the 2012 World Beer Cup, validating what Belgian beer devotees had long recognized. Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and refermented in the bottle, Piraat retains a living complexity that evolves with each sip and rewards patient cellaring. For drinkers who find standard Belgian blondes and tripels too restrained, this 10.5% ABV ale delivers the power and depth to match its pirate swagger.