Tap Handle #439: Brewery Van Steenberge

November 19, 2014

Tap Handle #439: Brewery Van Steenberge - Bornem Double Abbey

Tap Size: 12.25"
Rarity: Rare
Mounting: standard 3/8" ferrule on 5/16" anchor bolt

Stylistically, the Bornem tap handle feels right at home next to Brewery Van Steenberge's other taps like Augustijn and Piraat. Featuring a monk holding a stein while he pulls the barrel tap to dispense beer into another monk's stein, it's really quite beautiful, particularly the bright blue "banner" on the front that is made to look like a tapestry hanging from a rod. At the bottom of the tap, partially obscured by the tapestry, is a door with steps leading up to it. The barrel face and grey bricks are a nice touch, and there's even a rough-looking cat on the back. Cats were popular in old European breweries as a way to control rodents from getting into the grain used for brewing. This tap rarely appeared on the secondary market, but lately the supply seems to have dwindled even further and as a result the price has skyrocketed.

Click through to read more about Brewery Van Steenberge's Bornem Double Abbey and to see more photos of this beautiful tap...

Bornem is a lively dubbel-style beer with a reddish-brown appearance and a massive, foamy head that sticks to the glass. Named after a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp, its sugary-sweet aroma storms the nose with very spicy cracked pepper, clove and a healthy dose of alcohol. On the tongue, the beer is sweet from start to finish, with heaps of caramelized malts and toffee, though the yeast brings nice peppery spice and clove notes as well. The swallow is rounded out by a generous floral hop finish. Bornem is full-bodied and mutes its elevated alcohol presence very well, offering only a slight warming sensation in the chest. Monks used to fast on this type of beer for 40 days! No food, only beer. Recommended food pairings are meat dishes, such as steaks, roasted meat, game or sausages.