A Beery Merry Christmas!

Our 2012 Christmas List

Let the Festivities Begin!

 

The Bruery 2 Turtle Doves 

Au Baron (Bailleux)  Saison Saint Médard Noël

Ommegang Biere D’Hougoumont

Gouden Carolus Noël

Fantôme de Noël

St Bernardus Christmas Ale

Scaldis (Bush) Noël

Mikkeller Santa’s Little Helper 2011

Abbaye des Rocs Triple Impériale

Corsendonk Christmas Ale

Three Floyds Alpha Klaus Christmas Porter

Dugges High Five!

Westvleteren XII (x 2)

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout 2009

Stone 12 Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout

 

This is what’s on our Christmas List, we hope you get everything on your Christmas List too!

Happy Holidays!

Ruth & Mike

Bringing Back Beercation Beer… To Ship or To Schlep?

Bringing Back Beercation Beer (BBBB)…

To Ship or To Schlep?

Are you going to go on a Beeration over the holidays? Do you plan to bring home some special brews with you?

Well then read on…

One of them most frequent questions I get asked from our beercation guests is “What is the best way to bring beer back home from Belgium?”

Although this answer is based on shipping or schlepping from Belgium, the basics of packing and shipping apply, regardless from  where you are BBBB!

This is getting more complicated to answer each year because of all the airline restrictions on the weight of your suitcases as well as the number of bags you are allowed to check-in without a fee. As you know, this can vary from carrier to carrier, some are free & some charge an arm & a leg. Other variables include how much of the green stuff ($) you’re willing to spend vs. how much you are willing to schlep your beer to get it to and from the airport.   

To help you decide, first, you should find out what your airline charges for baggage fees. Then you can compare it to the cost of shipping. 

If you want to ship (mail) beer from Belgium to the US:

Good News is that there are National Postal service offices in Bruges & Brussels and in all major metro areas.

The Bad News is the Cost is pretty steep.
To ship to the USA, approximate prices are: 52 euro for 10KG(22lbs), 78 euro for 20KG(44lbs) and 102 euro for 30KG(66lbs).

In USD assuming an exchange rate of 1.35 then 52 euro = $70.20 for 22 pounds; 78 euro = $105.30 for 44 pounds & 102 euro = $137.70 for 66 pounds.

Weight wise, a case of 750ml bottles (12) can be between 33 – 42 pounds depending on the weight of the glass.  The weight can vary greatly as some champagne style bottles weigh 4 pounds & the small bottles (11.2oz) can weight about 1.2 pounds each.

So once you do the math, you can determine how much you want to spend to ship vs schlep the beer home yourself.

How To ship: You can most likely get boxes at some of the beer bottle shops. Some of the breweries you visit might have one of two to spare…but there are no guarantees to find a box.  The Post Office might have some boxes, but the “green” movement is very big there and it is getting more and more difficult to find bubble wrap and cardboard boxes in Europe. So at the very least, make sure to bring a roll of bubble wrap and packing tape with you (or, even better, if you have one, an empty wine shipper).

To pack your beer, wrap up in bubble wrap or put it into a Styrofoam beer/wine holders and secure snugly in shipping box. Make sure your address includes “USA”. Take to Post office to ship. You might have to fill out forms at the post office. If you do, make sure you say it is for personal consumption.

Shipping downfalls: Besides being very pricey, it could take a long time to receive your beer. It will have to clear customs in the US, which is much more difficult than at the airport. There is also a higher risk of losing your packages by sending them this way.

To bring beer back on the plane with you: 

Either check on, pack in your suitcase, or carry on the plane a large lightweight empty duffel bag with a roll of bubble wrap and packing tape (or, even better, if you have one, an empty Styrofoam wine/beer shipper).  At the end of the trip just bubble wrap all the bottles then place them in your “hard suitcase” and cushion with some of your clothing. Use the large duffel bag to stash the rest of the clothes that will not fit in your hard suitcase because there is beer inside. You might want to also pack a few small garbage bags to put your wrapped beer bottles in, just in case there is breakage.  This is the method most people use, including me, and is the safest and cheapest. Customs is no hassle, however I recommend that you still declare that you have beer and the value of all the beer you are bringing home. Most likely you will not have to pay any taxes and it will not be confiscated.  By bring the beer home with you on the plane there is less risk of the beer getting lost and you will get you beer much quicker since it will arrive home when you do!

(Besides using bubble wrap, other ways to “protect” you beer bottels are to slip a bottle into a heavy sock and then roll it up with a t-shirt or a pairs of jeans/slacks).

Downfall of bring beer back on the plane: You need to schlep a very heavy suitcase (full of beer) to the airport.

Additional precautions and thoughts: Sometimes we also take large ziplocs and/or Saran wrap for extra wrapping. Most important to remember though, is though the beer will be good when you get it home, it is never the same as the joy of drinking great beer at the source, so don’t forget to enjoy your brews when you are there, in the moment, on Beercation!

Cheers!

Huisbrouwerij Sint Canarus

Today’s Brewery of the Day:

Huisbrouwerij Sint Canarus

Polderweg 2 Deinze-Gottem Belgium

Huisbrouwerij Sint Canarus

We’ve just returned from France & Belgium where we met with some of the brewers and vendors for our upcoming October 27^th –November 3^rd Bon Beer Voyage beer tour:  “Grand Crus to Farmhouse Brews- A Beercation Cruise through Belgium & France”. 

During this trip we visited 3 fabulous breweries on the French side of the border, 5 on the Belgian side as well as one French genièvre distillery.  In France, we visited Brasserie St Germain, Brasserie Thiriez & Brasserie Bailleux (where we had lunch in their magnificent restaurant Au Baron). In Belgium, wevisited Brouwerij Rodenbach, Brouwerij St Bernardus, Brouwerij Van Eecke, Huisbrouwerij Sint Canarus & Chimay.

Over the next few days we will be highlighting each of the breweries on our tour as well as sharing some beery cool information on the beer scene in Lille.  For those who want a quick look at the amazing Day by Day Itinerary of the Grand Crus to Farmhouse Brews- A Beercation Cruise click here.

Brewery of the Day: Huisbrouwerij Sint Canarus

Huisbrouwerij Sint Canarus is the smaller building in this photo

Sint Canarus is an extremely small brewery which makes really “big” beers.  They are located about a half hour drive southwest of Gent in the small town of Gottem (for you Batman fans, you can call it Gottem City).

Dr Canarus

The owner and brew-master Piet Meirhaeghe – who is better known in the beer world as Dr. Canarus, has a very interesting sense of humor which he imparts on his brewery.  Both Dr. Canarus & his brewery get their name from a local drinking club, called “Semper Canarus” which translates to always drunk.  Also, the word canard meets duck, and if you see a duck walk we would say it waddles, or looks drunk, therefore the word canard is slang for a drunkard. 

Below you will see Dr. Canarus hard at work serving up some of his fantastic brews

Dr Canarus serving up some of the fabulous brews at Sint Canarus

Bottles for sale at Sint Canarus

Beers available at Sint Canarus the day we were there included:

Export, his Pilsner is 4.6%abv

Sint Canarus Tripel 7.5%abv

Sint Canarus Tripel

Maeght van Gottem (which translates to the Virgin of Gottem) is a Belgian Strong Pale Ale at 7.0%abv and inside every bottle, placed by hand, is a single hop cone.

Potteloereke 8% abv a Belgian Strong Dark Ale

Pere Canard, which would translate to drunk father was originally brewed for Christmas and is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale at 9%abv.

Sint Canarus Pere Canard

Sint Canarus 10 jaar 8.72%abv, his 10^th anniversary brew, is a Belgian Strong Pale Ale

Rule of Thirds (Import Series Vol 4) is a Tripel at 8%abv.   A Saison Darkly (Import Series Vol 2) is a Saison at 8.0%abv. Both of these are collaborations with Stillwater Artisanal Ales and brewed here.

Here is Dr Canarus serving up Rule of Thirds (Import Series Vol 4)

Dr Canarus serving Rule of Thirds his collaboration with Stillwater Artisanal Ales

 Here is a peek at the “Large” brewery seen behind Ruth as she enjoys her Pere Canard:

Ruth enjoying her Pere Canard at Sint Carnarus

Currently, Potteloereke & Sint Canarus Tripel are their only “non- collaboration” beers which are being imported to the USA (12% Imports) and they not too easy to find-so we hope you’ll join us for our awesome upcoming beer trip-  “Grand Crus to Farmhouse Brews- A Beercation Cruise through Belgium & France”  where you can enjoy these wonderful beers and experience the special humor of Dr. Canarus  yourself! 

Ruth & Mike at Sint Canarus

Cheers from Mike & Ruth! 

Brasserie Bailleux / Restaurant Au Baron

We’ve just returned from France & Belgium where we met with some of the brewers and vendors for our upcoming October 27^th –November 3^rd Bon Beer Voyage beer tour:  “Grand Crus to Farmhouse Brews- A Beercation Cruise through Belgium & France”. 

During this trip we visited 3 fabulous breweries on the French side of the border, 5 on the Belgian side as well as one French genièvre distillery.  In France, we visited Brasserie St Germain, Brasserie Thiriez & Brasserie Bailleux (where we had lunch in their magnificent restaurant Au Baron). In Belgium, wevisited Brouwerij Rodenbach, Brouwerij St Bernardus (where we stayed at the Brouwershuis), Brouwerij Van Eecke, Huisbrouwerij Sint Canarus & Chimay(where we stayed at  l’Auberge de Poteaupré).

Over the next few days we will be highlighting each of the breweries on our tour as well as sharing some beery cool information on the beer scene in Lille.  For those who want a quick look at the amazing Day by Day Itinerary of the Grand Crus to Farmhouse Brews- A Beercation Cruise click here.

Restaurant Au Baron & Brasserie Bailleux

Today’s Brewery of the Day:

Brasserie Bailleux / Restaurant Au Baron

2 rue du Piemont  Gussignies, France

Brewer Alain Bailleux grilling in their copper brew kettle

 Au Baron was started as a small tavern in the petite French town of Gussignies by Alain Bailleux and his wife Danielle Baron Bailleux in 1973.  By 1981 they turned this tavern into a wonderfully quaint restaurant with a grill made from a copper brew kettle!  In 1989 Alain, a brewer, with the help of his father (who also happens to be a brewer, as was his grandfather) built Brasserie Bailleux in the back of the restaurant.   This multi-generation family of brewers has now passed this brewing art onto Alain’s son Xavier.

Brasserie Bailleux is run by only 4 employees and make 3 year round brews and a Christmas beer.  We are excited that this year’s batch of Christmas beer will be finished brewing when we return in November on our “Grand Crus to Farmhouse Brews- A Beercation Cruise through Belgium & France”. 

The 3 year-round beers are: 

Au Baron Cuvée des Jonquilles

Cuvée des Jonquilles 7% abv. A Bière de Garde brewed with dandelions.   Cuvée des Jonquilles has a marvelous looking head with a fantastic nose. Also look at that nice thick lacing left on the glass!

What a great nose on the Cuvée des Jonquilles

Saison Saint Médard Ambrée & Saison Saint Médard Brune both are 7% abv Saisons / Farmhouse Ales named after the patron saint of the parish of Gussignies.   Pictured here is the Saison Saint Médard Ambrée

Au Baron Saison Saint Médard Ambrée a 7% abv Saison

 The restaurant was packed with locals enjoying the great food and beer at Au Baron.

Restaurant Au Baron

Restaurant Au Baron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Salade du Berger, which is salad, tomato, walnuts and toast topped with warm goat cheese

For lunch Ruth had the Salade du Berger, which is a salad with tomatoes, walnuts and toast topped with warm fresh goat cheese.  I had the plat de jour, which was a beef carbonnade made using the Saison Saint Médard Ambrée… Yummy!!

Inside the Restaurant is a shop to buy local delicacies and of course their delicious beer!

Local products for sale inside Au Baron

Here are a few photos inside the brewery: 

Brasserie Bailleux

Brasserie Bailleux

Currently, Cuvee de Jonquilles is the only beer imported to the USA (12% Imports) and not so easy to find-so we hope you’ll join us for our awesome upcoming beer trip-  “Grand Crus to Farmhouse Brews- A Beercation Cruise through Belgium & France” so you can enjoy the wonderful ambiance at Au Baron and try some of these fabulous beers and delicious food for yourself! 

 

Mike, Ruth and Brewer Alain Bailleux

Cheers from Mike, Ruth & Alain! 

France & Belgium Vacation Beer Haul

Beer haul from our France & Belgium vacation

Here is the beer haul from our recent trip to France & Belgium where we met with some of the brewers and vendors for our upcoming October beer tour “Grand Crus to Farmhouse Brews- A Beercation Cruise through Belgium & France”. 

This is all the beer we were able to fit in our luggage without going over the 50 pound limit.  We also had some fantastic Bière de Garde from St Germain (Page 24) and Belgian Ales from Sint Canarus, which we weren’t able to bring back home due to the weight limits.

During this working vacation we had the chance to visit 8 of the 11 breweries which will be on our tour. This included 3 fabulous breweries on the France side of the border, 5 on the Belgium side and one French genièvre distillery.  From France we visited Brasserie Bailleux / Au Baron, Brasserie St Germain & Brasserie Thiriez.  In Belgium wevisited Brouwerij Rodenbach, Brouwerij St Bernardus, Brouwerij Van Eecke, Huisbrouwerij Sint Canarus & Chimay. 

Over the next few days in this blog we will be highlighting each of the breweries on our tour as well as share some amazing beery information on the beer scene in Lille.  For those who want a quick look at the amazing Day by Day Itinerary of the Grand Crus to Farmhouse Brews- A Beercation Cruise click here.

Beers in the Photo from left to right are:

The Pastis by Ricard, well it’s not beer but was added as a palate cleanser between beers 🙂

Dalva, a fantastic D.I.P.A. from Brasserie Thiriez.

Toyko, a Witbier from St Bernardus which was made for their new brewpub in Toyko.

2 great Saisons from Brasserie Baileux (Au Baron) both the Brune and the Ambrée
Saison Saint Médard.

Rodenbach’s Caractère Rouge which cost only 7.99 euro at a supermarket close to the French/Belgian border.

Rodenbach 2009 Vintage, a gift from the Rudi the brewer.

The last 3 beers were found at L’Abbaye des Saveurs a fabulous bottle shop in Lille which carries over 300 different beers, including a great selection of French beers:
Cuvée D’Oscar from Craig Allen.

Kabert (a blend of Kate the Great and Black Albert) from de Struise.

1997 Samichlaus (the last year it was made and bottled by the old brewery Hürlimann in Zürich Switzerland, it is now made by Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg in Austria).

70 Brewers, over 300 beers, meads and cider at The Festival

Bon Beer Voyage will be going to The Festival in Worcester Massachusetts where we will be joining a number of the brewers whom we visit on our Beercations and Beer Safari Weekends.    

This is a truly unique international festival focused on artisanal brewers.  What’s special about The Festival is that the people who create these brews will actually be on hand to pour them- Every single producer will be there: more than sixty five different artisans, bringing over three-hundred different beers, ciders and meads! And since we know once you taste their beers, you’re going to want to go visit the breweries in person with us on Beercation, we’ve arranged for you to save $10 per ticket with a special discount link for our Bon Beer Voyage Brewsletter subscribers, Beer Stocked Refrigerator readers and Twitter followers! 

The Festival Discount Coupon

And if you are psyched about The Festival, you’ll love our Grand Crus to Farmhouse Brews Beercation Cruise through Belgium and France.  Not only do we visit some of the great breweries represented at The Festival on this trip, but we also will be visiting Rodenbach, In de Vrede at Westvleteren, St. Bernardus and more. And this once in a lifetime itinerary finishes with a tour of Chimay during their 150th anniversary! But don’t wait too long to book or you’ll miss the boat – cabin space is very limited!

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

12% Imports and Shelton Brothers have partnered to present a unique international festival focused on artisanal brewers, as well as cider and mead makers. We aren’t just throwing the words ‘unique’ or ‘artisanal’ around lightly here. We specialize in importing small-batch products, from tiny producers, in far-off places, in very small quantities. Never before has any festival in the U.S. featured such a broad array of traditional drinks from across the globe. That alone is unique, but what’s even more special about The Festival is that the people who create these beers, ciders, and meads will actually be on hand to pour them! Every single producer will be there: more than sixty different artisans, bringing over three-hundred different beers, ciders, and meads! We have producers traveling from as far away as Japan and New Zealand – all told, more than a dozen countries will be represented at The Festival.

Location: Mechanics Hall, 321 Main Street, Worcester MA 01608

Session 1: Saturday, 23 June, 12pm – 4pm

Session 2: Saturday, 23 June, 5:30pm – 9:30pm

Session 3: Sunday, 24 June, 12pm – 5pm

Cost: With the special Bon Beer Voyage discount each session is $50 (originally each individual session is $60; and a weekend pass for all three sessions is $160).

For general inquiries, please contact: info@the-festival.us

Twitter: @TheFestivalUS

Volunteer inquiries may be sent to: volunteers@the-festival.us

The Artisans 

(from the offical Festival website)

Some of the world’s greatest and smallest artisanal beer and cider makers will join us to meet festival attendees and share their stories and knowledge. You’d have to spend months and countless dollars for a chance to meet this many world-class brewers and cider makers. We’ve saved you the trouble and the expense . . . they’ll all be on hand, personally, to talk about their work and to pour for you. And many will be creating special brews specifically for the event — you won’t be able to find them anywhere else!

We’ve listed the brewers and cider makers who have committed to attend The Festival below. We’ll be updating this beer list until The Festival, so keep checking back.
Click on a name below to be taken to the individual website of the producer.

8 Wired Brewing Co and Renaissance: Blenheim, New Zealand
Brewer in attendance: Soren Eriksen
Confirmed Beers: HopWired, Fresh HopWired, ReWired, Big Smoke, iStout, Batch 31, Coffee Brown, Haywired, Tall Poppy

ÆppelTreow Winery & Distillery: Burlington, WI, USA
Brewer in attendance: Charles McGonegal
Confirmed Beers: Barn Swallow, Appley Brut, Oriole Perry, Kinglet Bitter, Apple Brandy, Pommeaux, Poirrissimo

Against the Grain: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Jerry Gnagy
Confirmed Beers: Bloody Show, Lick the Blade, Bay and Pepper your Bretts, Raucho Man Randy Beverage

Masia Agullons Cervesa Artesana: Mediona, Spain
Brewer in Attendance: Carlos Virigili
Confirmed Beers: Setembre, Dalmoru, Veritaine Pale Ale, Pura Pale, La Runa

Anchorage Brewing Company: Anchorage, AK, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Gabe Fletcher
Confirmed Beers: Whiteout Wit, Tide and Its Takers, Galaxy IPA, The Experiment

Bad Attitude Beer: Stabio, Switzerland
Brewer in Attendance: Nicola Beltraminelli
Confirmed Beers: The Dude, Kurt, Two Penny, Hippie

Baird Brewing Company: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
Brewer in Attendance: Bryan Baird
Confirmed Beers: Rising Sun, Angrey Boy, Red Rose, Kurofone Porter, Dark Skye, Shizuoka Summer Mikan Ale, Belgian Strong Pale Ale

Middlemiss Brewing Co.: Auckland, New Zealand
Brewer in Attendance: Ben Middlemiss
Confirmed Beers: Nota Bene Vintage, Nota Bene Current, Hodgson IPA

Beer Here: Kobenhavn, Denmark
Brewer in Attendance: Christian Skovdal Andersen
Confirmed Beers: Sod, Wicked Wheat, Dead Cat, Dark Hops, Yule Wine, Executioner IPA

Brasserie de Blaugies: Dour-Blaugies, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Pierre-Alex Carlier, Kevin Carlier
Confirmed Beers: La Moneuse, Darbyste, Saison d’Epeautre

Brasserie de Cazeau: Templeuve, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Laurent Agache
Confirmed Beers: Tournay Black, Tournay, Tournay Tripel

Brodie’s Beers: London, United Kingdom
Brewer in Attendance: James Brody
Confirmed Beers: Hoxton Special IPA, Hackney Red IPA, Sim Coe for Breakfast, Romanov Empress Stout, Old Street Pale Ale, Citra

Buxton Brewing Company: Buxton, Derbyshire, United Kingdom
Brewer in Attendance: Geoff Quinn
Confirmed Beers: Coming Soon!

Cabinet Artisanal Brewhouse: Alexandria, VA, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Terry Hawbaker
Confirmed Beers: Coming Soon!

Cambridge Brewing Company: Cambridge, MA, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Will Meyers
Confirmed Beers: Coming Soon!

Brasserie Cantillon: Brussels, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Jean van Roy
Confirmed Beers: Single-Barrel Lambic 1, Single-Barrel Lambic 2, Single-Barrel Lambic 3, Gueuze, Kriek, Fou’foune, Cuvee St. Gilloise, Vigneronne, Zwanze 2010

Christoffel: Roermond, Netherlands
Brewer in Attendance: Joyce van den Elshout
Confirmed Beers: Bier, Nobel Bramling Cross, Wijzer

Celestial Meads: Anchorage, AK, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Michael Kiker
Confirmed Meads: Odin’s Gift, Gunnlod’s Tears, Belgique, Razzery, Miel Noir

Cidrerie Traditionnelle du Perche: Le Theil, France
Brewer in Attendance: Nathalie Plessis
Confirmed Beers: L’Hermetière Cidre Brut, L’Hermetière Cidre Demi-Sec, L’Hermetière Poiré, Trahant, Pommeau, Calvados

La Companiya Cervesera del Montseny: Seva, Spain
Brewer in Attendance: Info coming soon!
Confirmed Beers: Malta Cuvee, Blat, Ecolupulus, Negra Stout, Malta Pale

Crooked Stave: Fort Collins, CO, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Chad Yakobsen
Confirmed Beers: Petite Sour, Surette Reserva, Batch #1, Persica, Blackberry Petite Sour, Wild Wild Brett Series

Brouwerij De Dochter Van De Korenaar: Baarle-Hertog, Antwerp, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Ronald Mengerink
Confirmed Beers: Peated Oak-Aged Embrasse, L’Enfant Terrible, Charbon, Bravoure

Brouwerij De Graal: Brakel, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Wim Saeyens
Confirmed Beers: Gember, Tripel, Quest, Triverius

Brasserie de la Senne: Brussels, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Yvan de Baets, Bernard Leboucq
Confirmed Beers: Brussels Calling, Taras Boulba, Zinnebir, Jambe de Bois, Zwarte Piet, Stouterik

Brouwerij de Molen: Bodegraven, Netherlands
Brewer in Attendance: Menno Olivier
Confirmed Beers: Hout & Hop (Barolo Barrel), Mooi & Meedogenloos (Bruichladdich Barrel), Lief & Leed on Cherries, Hemel & Aarde (Caol Ila Barrel), Hel & Verdoemenis (Bunnahabhain Barrel), Bakker Wort Brouwer (Bowmore + Port Barrels)

De Ranke: Wevelgem, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Nino Bacelle
Confirmed Beers: XX Bitter, Guldenberg, Noir de Dottignies, Saison de Dottignies, Kriek, Cuvée.

Bryggeriet Djævlebryg, Devil’s Brew: Copenhagen, Denmark
Brewer in Attendance: Per Olaf Huusfeldt
Confirmed Beers, Gudeløs, Old Mephisto, Dark Beast, Pride of Nekron, Eclipse.

Dieu du Ciel!: Montreal, QC, Canada
Brewer in Attendance: Jean-Francois Gravel, Stephane Ostiguy, Luc Lafontaine
Confirmed Beers: Péché Mortel, Péché Mortel Bourbon, Chaman, L’Herbe à Détourne, Isseki Nicho, Isseki Nicho Pinot Noir, Solstice d’été aux Framboises

Evil Twin Brewing: Valby, Denmark
Brewer in Attendance: Jeppe Jarnit Bjergsø
Confirmed Beers: Yin & Yang, Freudian Slip, Even More Jesus, Auld Yin

Freigeist Bierkultur: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Brewer in Attendance: Sebastian Sauer
Confirmed Beers: Coming soon!

Brouwerij ‘t Gaverhopke: Harelbeke, West Flanders, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Bruno Delrue
Confirmed Beers: Gaverhopke Extra, Gaverhopke Singing Blond, Koerseklakske

Bierbrouwerij Grand-Café Emelisse: Kamperland Zeeland, Netherlands
Brewer in Attendance: Kees Bubberman
Confirmed Beers: Ardbeg Imperial Russian Stout, Espresso Stout, Black IPA, Holland Oats

Haandbryggeriet: Drammen, Norway
Brewer in Attendance: Jens Petter Maudal
Confirmed Beers: Dark Force, Union (Collaboration with Narke), Norwegian Wood, Dark Force Reserva, Barrel-Aged Aquavit Porter, Sweet and Sour, Sur Megge, Cuvée #1, Krekling

High & Mighty Beer Co.: Easthampton, MA, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Will Shelton
Confirmed Beers: Coming Soon!

Hill Farmstead Brewery: Greensboro Bend, VT, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Shaun Hill, Dan Suarez
Confirmed Beers: Everett, Nor, Edward, What is Enlightenment?

Hobbybrouwerij Het Nest: Turnhout, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Guy Verbunt
Confirmed Beers: Turnhoutse Patriot, Kevertienen, Hertenheer.

‘t Hofbrouwerijke: Beerzel, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Jef Goetelen
Confirmed Beers: Hofblues, Hoftrol, Hofdraak, Bosprotter

Brouwerij Hof Ten Dormaal: Tildonk, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium

Brewer in Attendance:Andre Janssens

Confirmed beers: Premier of the Barrel Aged Beer Project: A blonde farmhouse house ale aged in several different European wine and spirits barrels (including: Armagnac, Cognac, Madeira, and Jenever).

Hogan’s Cider: Alcester, Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Brewer in Attendance: Allen Hogan
Confirmed Ciders: Coming Soon!

Hopfenstark: L’Assomption, QC, Canada
Brewer in Attendance: Fred Cormier
Confirmed Beers: Boson de Higgs, Kamarad Frederick

Huvila & Malmgard: Malmgård, Finland
Brewer in Attendance: Markku Pulliainen, Tuomas Markkula
Confirmed Beers: ESB, X Porter, Artic Circle, Pale Ale, Sahti

Brasserie de Jandrain-Jandrenouille: Jandrain, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Alexandre Dumont, Stéphane Meulemans
Confirmed Beers: IV Saison, VI Wheat, V Cense

Jester King Craft Brewery: Austin, TX, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Jeffrey Stuffings, Ron Extract
Confirmed Beers: Drink’in the Sunbelt, Whiskey Rodeo, Beer Geek Rodeo, Weasel Rodeo, le Petit Prince, Nobel King, Boxer’s Revenge, Wytchmaker, Black Metal

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales: Dexter, MI, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Ron Jeffries
Confirmed Beers: Coming soon!

Brouwerij Kerkom: Sint-Truiden, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Marc Limet
Confirmed Beers: Bink Blond, Bink Tripel, Bink Bloessem, Bink Grand Cru.

Kissmeyer: Charlottenlund, Denmark
Brewer in Attendance: Anders Kissmeyer
Confirmed Beers: Coming Soon!

Les Trois Mousquetaires: Brossard, Quebec
Brewer in Attendance: Jonathan Lafortune
Confirmed Beers: Kellerbier, Sticke Alt, Doppelbock, Porter Baltique

Local Option: Chicago, IL, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Tony Russomano, Noah Hopkins
Beers Confirmed: Morning Wood

Mahr’s: Bamberg, Germany
Brewer in Attendance: Stephan Michel
Beers Confirmed: Coming soon!

Midtfyns Bryghus: Broby, Denmark
Brewer in Attendance: Eddie Szweda
Confirmed Beers: Double IPA, Barley Wine, Wasabi Pale Ale, Chili Tripel, Imperial Stout, Rough Snuff, X-Porter (Collaboration with De Molen).

Mikkeller: København, Denmark
Brewer in Attendance: Mikkel Borg Bjergsø
Beers Confirmed: SontanBlueberry Deluxe, Texas Ranger BA Raspberry, US Alive, Hop Bomb Challenge, Hot Dog Beer, Koppi IPA, Invasion IPA (Mercury Brewed Version), Not Just Another Wit, Sour Bitch, Mikkeller/Three Floyd’s Boo Goop, Beer Geek Brunch Cognac Edition.

Nøgne-Ø: Grimstad, Norway
Brewer in Attendance: Kjetil Jikiun, Tore Nybø
Beers Confirmed: Nøgne O/Terrapin Imperial Rye Porter, Two Captains 2IPA, Oak’d Sunturn, Sunturn Bo 11%, Dark Horizon Batch 3, Citrus Hystrix, Porter, India Saison, Red Horizon 3rd Edition, Red Horizon 2nd Edition, Imperial Stout Cognac Edition, Sake Junmai.

Oliver’s Cider & Perry: Hereford, United Kingdom
Brewer in Attendance: Tom Oliver
Confirmed Ciders: Coming soon!

Omnipollo: Stockholm, Sweden
Brewer in Attendance: Henok Fentie
Confirmed Beers: Leon, Mazarin

Page 24/ Brasserie St Germain: Aix-noulette, France
Brewer in Attendance: Stephane Bogaert
Confirmed Beers: Reserve Hildegarde Blonde, Reserve Hildegarde Ambree, Brune, Triple

Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project: Somerville, MA, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Dann Paquette, Martha Paquette
Confirmed Beers: Babayaga, Lovely St. Winefride, Jack D’Or, Baby Tree, Fluffy White Rabbits, Field Mouse’s Farewell, American Darling, 1945 X Ale, 1838 X Ale, St. Botolph’s Town.

Ridgeway: South Stoke, United Kingdom
Brewer in Attendance: Peter Scholey
Confirmed Beers: Coming Soon!

St Somewhere Brewing Company: Tarpon Springs, FL, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Bob Sylvester
Confirmed Beers: Coming Soon!

Huisbrouwerij Sint Canarus: Deinze-Gottem, East Flanders, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Piet Meirhaeghe
Confirmed Beers: Coming soon!

Sixpoint Brewery: Brooklyn, New York, USA
More information coming soon!

Brouwerij Slaapmutske: Melle, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Dany De Smet
Confirmed Beers: Triple Nightcap, Hop Collection Ft. Kent Goldings, Hop Collection Ft. Challenger, Dry Hopped Lager SaazSaaz.

Stillwater Artisanal Ales: Baltimore, MD, USA
Brewer in Attendance: Brian Strumke
Confirmed Beers: Bourbon BA Folklore, Table Beer

de Struise Brouwers: Oostvleteren, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Urbain Coutteau
Confirmed Beers: Coming Soon!

Thiriez: Esquelbecq, France
Brewer in Attendance: Daniel Thiriez
Confirmed Beers: Blonde, Ambree, Extra, Dalva.

Gueuzerie Tilquin: Rebecq-Rognon, Belgium
Brewer in Attendance: Pierre Tilquin
Confirmed Beers: Gueuze Tilquin, Gueuze Tilquin on Draft

To Ol: Frederiksberg, Denmark
Brewer in Attendance: Tore Gynther, Tobias E. Jensen
Confirmed Beers: Ov-Ral, Mochaccino Messiah, Sleep Over Coffee IPA, First Fontier IPA, Black Ball Porter, Goliat Coffee Stout, Raid Beer, Sort Mælk.

Brasserie Trois Dames:Sainte-Croix, Switzerland
Brewer in Attendance: Raphaël Mettler
Confirmed Beers: Coming Soon!

Le Trou du Diable: Shawinigan Quebec, Canada
Brewer in Attendance: Isaac Tremblay, André Trudel
Confirmed Beers: Sang d’Encre, SMaSH Citra, La Buteuse, Schieve Tabarnak!, Dulcis Succubus, Impératrice (Bourbon Barrel), La Buteuse Brassin Spécial

Klosterbrauerei Weissenohe: Weißenohe, Bavaria, Germany
Brewer in Attendance: Urban Winkler
Confirmed Beers: Coming Soon!

Yeastie Boys: Wellington, New Zealand
Brewer in Attendance: Stu McKinlay, Sam Possenniskie
Confirmed Beers: Gunmatta, Digital IPA, Bye Bye Badman, Pot Kettle Black, Rex Attitude.

The Monumental Beer Tour of Washington DC

The Monumental Beer Tour of

Washington DC

Learn about Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Hoppiness!

Explore some of the most inspiring monuments in our nation’s capital city in a whole new light during this brewnique walking tour given by Ruth Berman, CEO & BBB of Bon Beer Voyage -who also happens to be a licensed Washington DC Tour Guide!

Discover entertaining tidbits and historical information about our founding fathers as well anecdotes about how beer is intertwined with those who have served our country.

We are running this specially themed tour on Saturday, June 9, 2012

so that those of you who are attending any of the great beer events in the city this weekend can say “Yes, of course I did some sightseeing when I was in our nation’s capital!”

The tour is open to all, so whether you are just in town for a few days or live locally and want a new perspective on your hometown, we hope you will join us- and feel free to bring the family along!

(Please note: This is a walking tour of the monuments, not a pub crawl, so while beer talk will be served up, no beer will actually be served) The tour will last approximately 2 and 1/2 to 3 hours, ending just in time to head out to lunch and the various afternoon events about town.

Date: Saturday, June 9, 2012
Cost: $15 per person
Time: 10:00AM (please try to be at meeting place by 9:50AM- we start promptly at 10)
Meeting Place: At the 17th street entrance to the World War II Memorial (across the street from the Washington Monument)
Attire: Walking Shoes – clothing is a good idea too, since nudity is banned on the mall 🙂

Bring: Umbrella (if you have it, it probably won’t rain) Water Bottle, Camera, Sunscreen, Your Friends!

Click Here to Register Today- Space is limited!

Beer # 192 Ommegang Art of Darkness

Ommegang Art of Darkness

Name: Art of Darkness

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

Brewery:  Brewery Ommegang   website

Country: USA

Region: Cooperstown, New York

ABV: 8.9% abv

How served:  750ml corked and caged poured into a Ommegang glass.

My Overall Opinion: Very Good.

I paired this beer with:  Rotisserie, not baseball but…  chicken with a side of chick bean salad.  Not bad, but then again not many beers wouldn’t pair well with this meal.

Tasted on:  Tuesday June 05, 2012

Notes:  This is a limited and brewed only once beer.

This beer poured an extremely dark brown/black with an impressive 3 finger light brown head which dissipated slowly and left a very nice thick lacing on my glass.

The nose was light but full of dark fruits like plum and raisin with hints of dark chocolate and of the Belgian yeast.       

The taste of this brew starts off on the sweet side with dark fruit flavors like prunes, raisins and dates and a nice hint of candi sugar and dark chocolate. By mid palate the sweetness mellows out and you get some warmth from the alcohol and it ends more on a nice dry note.

The body was light to medium  with a creamy feel with a lively carbonation level which tickles the tongue.

The drinkability was very good especially since the body was light to medium.

Overall this brew could have benefited from a little more body, otherwise it is very good.

On the Label: Art of Darkness unites barley and wheat malts, and flaked oats, Ommegang yeast, and noble hops in a bewitching demonstration of the brewing arts.  Yet there are no secret ingredients nor mystical incantations.   There is only the highest realization of the art of brewing a dark Belgian-style ale of extraordinary flavor, aroma, and balance.  This ale walks the line between being savored now, and being cellared to relish later.  As discerning patron of the dark arts, you can make your own choice.

Pour slowly so as to not disturb the yeast sediment, but with enough vigor to create a luxurious head and release the rich bouquet.  Brewery Ommegang is 3, 624 miles from Brussels, but its heart is right in Belgium. It was created out of our devotion to the unique ales brewed by then country where brewing is an art and partaking is a passion.  Part of the Duvel family of fine ales.   Serve at 50° F/ 10° C

From their website:  Let us now acknowledge the dark arts of brewing. Our limited edition Art of Darkness Ale is deep, dark and magical, with champagne-like carbonation and rich maltiness from a complex recipe of multiple barley and wheat malts, as well as flaked oats.

Using no spices or flavorings, Art of Darkness gains all its rich aromas, tastes, and apparent spiciness from the malts and Ommegang’s proprietary house yeast.

There are no secret ingredients or magical incantation. There is only Ommegang brewers’ creating the finest quality dark, strong ale of complex and deep character.

Art of Darkness is a fine ale to enjoy immediately, and is excellent to cellar.

8.9% ABV

Available for a limited time in 750 ml bottles and 1/6 BBL keg starting in April 2012

Beer #191 Struise Rosse by De Struise Brouwers

Struise Rosse by De Struise Brouwers

Name: Struise Rosse

Style: Amber Ale

Brewery:  De Struise Brouwers   website

Country: Belgium

Region: Oostvleteren

ABV: 5.0% abv

How served:  11.2oz capped bottle poured into a De Struise glass.

My Overall Opinion: Very Good.

I paired this beer with:  Nothing…Is that a sin? 

Tasted on:  Sunday June 03, 2012

Notes: 

This beer poured a cloudy orangey/amber with a 2 ½ finger light tan head, which dissipated slowly and left a thin lacing on the glass.       

The nose was full of caramel, malts and candi sugar, as well as some underlying notes of fruits, spices and Belgian yeast.       

The taste was similar to the nose with it starting off on the slightly sweet side with the caramel and malts; midway through it balanced out with some bitterness and I picked up some fruits and spices as this brew finished nice and dry.

The body was on the light to medium side with a refreshing level of carbonation.

The drinkability was very good especially on this hot Florida day.  I think I’ll have another!

On the Label: Interesting errors on the label…75 cl – CAT. 3  Alc 5,0% VOL.  SR No 2 AMBER BREW.  (Note size error on label… it was a 33cl bottle)

Cloudy amberbeer with nice appearance and an expressive nose of roasted nuts with a fine tone of noble beeryeast.  It has a full refreshing taste with a forestlike, dry caracter.  The aftertaste is elegant and very well balanced. (spelling is as per the label )

High fermentation beer, bottle conditioned, unfiltered and unpasteurized.

Ingredients: malt, malted wheat, oats, hops, yeast and candi.

From their website:  Slight hazy amber coloured ale with a fluffy off white head.

The aroma is complex and has touches of malts, nuts, yeast end hops.

The taste is well balanced and has intense flavours of malts, nuts and hops.

The aftertaste is long and ends with a refreshing hoppy note

Beer # 190 Clown Shoes Miracle

Clown Shoes Miracle I.P.A.

Name: Miracle

Style: I.P.A.

Brewery:  Clown Shoes   website

Country: USA

Region: Ipswich, Massachusetts

ABV: 5.5% abv

How served:  22oz capped bomber poured into a De Struise glass.   

My Overall Opinion: Good.

I paired this beer with:  a Rib-eye steak topped with A-1 bold and spicy sauce (Tabasco) and a side of Chickpea salad.   You can almost never go wrong pairing an IPA with a steak, &  this pairing was awesome!

Tasted on:  Wednesday May 31, 2012

Notes: 

This beer poured an opaque amber orange with a 2 finger off white head, which dissipated slowly leaving a thin and sticky lacing on my glass.

The nose was light with some citrus notes like orange and lemons mixed with sweet malts and caramel.

The taste was not overpowering and started slightly hoppy/bitter with citrusy grapefruit rind notes and a pinch of pines, then was quickly balanced with a mildly sweet biscuit malty flavor and finished more on the dryer side.

The body was light to medium body & and a nice level of carbonation.

The drinkability was good as this was a light and refreshing IPA.  This IPA might be one of the few IPA’s which those who say they do not like IPA’s might actually like!!!

Overall, this was a great pairing with my steak, but as I.P.A’s go, it was just middle of the road.  That’s not saying this beer wasn’t good, as it was, but there are many other I.P.A’s which I would much rather have.  However if this beer was in front of me… down the hatch it would go & I would enjoy every drop of it!

On the Label:  Our boy Miracle Mike,  represents the good we hope to do with the Clown Shoes  Minor Miracle Fund.  A percentage of the profits from this juicy sessionable IPA will be used to help real people (and maybe a puppy or two).

Mercury Brewing Co.  Ipswich, MA.  Bottled May 2012

From their website:  Our boy Miracle Mike represents what we hope to do with our Minor Miracle Fund. A percentage of the profits from this juicy sessionable IPA will be used to help real people (and maybe a puppy or two).