Westmalle Trappist Ales

Westmalle Trappist Ales from Belgium are not everyday beers in the U.S.

But every beer drinker ought to try them.

Last night I had a glass of Westmalle Tripel and a glass of Westmalle Dubbel, as part of my continuing celebration of the new laws in South Carolina that allow higher alcohol levels in beer.

Both are beers that fill the mouth -- medium-to-heavy bodies and sweet maltiness.

Be careful, though. The easy-to-drink, yummy character of these two can catch up with folks who aren't used to drinking Belgian imports. The Dubbel is 7 percent alcohol by volume, and the Tripel is 9.5 percent.