Kuitenbijter Gin

After a ride over the steep climbs of the Flemish hills, Kuitenbijter is meant to be raised with friends. The gin is a tribute to that hilly landscape and to the cyclists who tackle its climbs; its name translates literally as calf-biter, a fair description of what those slopes do to the legs. It is aimed squarely at cycling fans, for a gin, or a beer, once the bike is back in the shed. The Flemish Ardennes, around Oudenaarde, are famous for cobbled climbs such as the Koppenberg and the Oude Kwaremont, raced each spring in the Tour of Flanders.

Spicy · Herbal

This spicy micro-batch gin is 40% ABV, and the standard bottle holds 50 cl; the Aalst distillery Stokerij De Moor also sells it in 70 cl and 10 cl sizes. Its particularity lies in how the herbs are used. After distillation, a selection of botanicals is added by slow dripping, a gentle process in which the herbs release only their finest flavours into the spirit, rather than everything a long macerationMacerationBotanicals soak in alcohol, from a few hours to several days, before distillation to release their aromas.Glossary would extract. Slow dripping suits delicate herbs that would turn bitter if they were left to steep for too long.

The distillery keeps the exact herbs to itself and describes the result in two words, fine and spicy. JuniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary gives the familiar backbone, and the slow-drip herbs add an aromatic, gently peppery layer on top. The mint-green bottle, marked Van de Vlaamse Ardennen, from the Flemish Ardennes, is as easy to spot as a team jersey in the peloton.

A classic gin and tonic suits it best after a ride. Pour 4 cl over ice, add 12 cl of Indian tonicIndian tonicThe classic tonic: sparkling water, bitter quinine and sugar. The name recalls colonial India, where quinine warded off malaria.Glossary and finish with a small sprig of thyme, which picks up the herbal side of the gin. The small 10 cl bottle, sold for 13 euros, is an easy gift for a cycling club. It is also good neat and well chilled, as a reward at the end of the day.