-
La Ferme de Sanglochons: a pork lover’s heaven, with beer
Disclaimer/warning: if there are any vegetarians perusing this article, I suggest you read no further. This is strictly a meat lover’s post. I have been to a lot of great cafe/restaurants during my 29 trips to Belgium, and I had the pleasure of eating a lot of great meals. Variety is the keyword: seafood, chicken,…
-
Baltibrew’s Chilibrew is October 10th in Baltimore
OK, so it’s not Belgium, but it is about good beer and Baltimore. Chilibrew, one of the most anticipated events of Baltimore Beer Week, is just ten days away. From the event organizers: It’s time for our 8th celebration of the DIY spirit! Presented by the Baltibrew, Brewtherville Labs, and Lady Brew Baltimore homebrew club,…
-
De Lambikstoempers “Beer Weekend” festival
De Lambikstoempers, the premier Zythos-affiliated beer appreciation and promotion club in Belgium’s lambic country, organizes several events throughout the year. For the first time, I attended their “Bier Weekend” on August 30-31. This beer festival usually occurs during the last full weekend of August, and features over 100 different brews. The new venue for this…
-
Updates from Geuzestekerij Oud Beersel
I visited Oud Beersel again a few weeks ago, and I’m happy to report that all is well. Actually, that would be an understatement, as the venerable Beersel lambic producer is doing very well. During my visit on August 30th, blender/co-owner Gert Christiaens told me that demand is such for his beers that he needs…
-
Meet Anne-Françoise Pypaert, the first female Trappist brewmaster
Step aside, guys. The lady is in charge. Welcome to Brasserie d’ Orval, Anno 2014. Things have changed a lot in the male-dominated world of the Trappist Abbey breweries in the last few decades. A significant number of women now work at these hallowed places, mainly in the area of lab work, marketing, and quality…
-
Antwerp’s Modeste Beer Fest is October 4-5
One of Belgium’s better beer festivals is coming up soon. The Modeste Beer Festival, held on the grounds and buildings of Brouwerij De Koninck in Antwerp, is set for Saturday and Sunday, October 4-5. The hours are 11 am to 7 pm, which will give you plenty of time to explore Antwerp’s many great beer…
-
Maryland Brewer’s Harvest Festival, this weekend in Fell’s Point
It’s not exactly about Belgium, but there will be a major beer festival right in my backyard this weekend here in Baltimore. The first edition of the Maryland Brewer’s Harvest Festival will be held at Bond Street Wharf in historic Fell’s Point, from 2pm to 6pm. There will be a VIP session from noon till…
-
Brasserie Cantillon set to expand and double production
Jean Van Roy released some big news today: Brasserie Cantillon has found a space where they can add lots of extra barrels and increase production by double over a four year period. The building is just 300 meters from Cantillon, and was the site of another lambic blendery, Brasserie Limbourg, which closed in the 1960’s.…
-
The Belgian brewery: fifty shades of grey
This is a guest post by Carl Kins. Carl is very well known in beer circles in his native Belgium, as well as all over Europe and the U.S.A. He is a member of Zythos, The European Beer Consumer’s Union (E.B.C.U.) and other beer associations and groups. He is an International Beer Judge, and has…
-
Cantillon Bomb Shelter article in USA Today
I’m happy to say that my first newspaper article was just published. A 600 word piece I wrote about Cantillon’s Bomb Shelter Beer Cellar, “Revered beer ages in a bomb shelter” was published on USA Today’s website yesterday, July 12. The article also features a dozen photos from the cellar. USA Today has about 1.3…