Brugse Zot Belgian Ale
BEER: Brugse Zot Belgian Ale, from De Halve Maan Brewery in Bruges, Belgium 
WHO LIKES IT: Ronny Smeink, owner of Rembrandt's Dutch Pub on McKinney Avenue (in the old Village Brewery building between Victory Park and the West End) 
STYLE AND ORIGIN: Belgian Blonde Ale (pale ale). "Brugse Zot means Bruges fool, which is a Belgian nickname for the people of Bruges," Mr. Smeink says. "Around 1600, Emperor Maximilian visited Bruges, and the town threw a big party on the day he arrived. There was lots of drinking, and everyone at the party got hammered. The next day, the town officials asked the emperor to finance an asylum for the mentally disabled – the fools' house, as it was known back then. His response was, 'You don't need an asylum. This whole town is one big fools' house.' After that, the people of Bruges were nicknamed Brugse Zotten, or fools of Bruges." 
THE PITCH: "The ale was created in 2005 and has already won several international competitions," Mr. Smeink says. "It's only been available in Dallas for three months. It has a very rich froth – like a Guinness almost, except lighter. It has a cloudy, golden-blond color and a really soft, flowery aroma. The flavor has hints of peach and banana. It's fruity, but very dry, and doesn't have a bitter aftertaste. It's kind of complex and effervescent. This is a good beer for the patio. It's very easy to drink. Although heavier than the average beer, it's not as heavy as the Trappist ales, which have a higher alcohol content." 
PAIR IT: "You can serve it as an after-dinner drink or with a fruit sorbet." 
GET SOME: Available in a 750 ml cork-finished bottle ($21.99) and in a four-pack of 11.2-ounce bottles ($18.49); some Sigel's, Goody Goody, Market Street, Mr. G's and S&K Liquor stores, as well as at Lone Star Beverage and Kegs & Barrels in Plano.