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Brouwerij Fort Lapin-‘t Koelschip barrel-aged Quad, and more
Barrel-aging continues to be all the rage in the beer world, and there are a lot of such projects going on in Belgium right now. A new one involves Brouwerij Fort Lapin of Brugge (Bruges) which just opened in 2012. Brewer Kristof Vandenbussche has teamed up with Ive Mostrey of ‘t Koelschip (“The Coolship”) which…
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Belgium’s Brut beers: Champagne-style
Today, I welcome Carl Kins as a guest contributor to the site. 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…
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Circa 1960 Cantillon Kriek
Here’s some eye candy for you vintage geuze and kriek lovers out there. An unopened bottle of Kriek from Brasserie Cantillon, dating to about 1960. Note that it’s hard to determine the age for certain of the old Cantillon bottles, as they had no label. There was only a red stripe of paint and a…
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Spencer, the new American Trappist
After years in planning, the USA finally has a Trappist beer. It’s official. Spencer Trappist Ale, from St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, officially became an Authentic Trappist Product as of yesterday, December 10. “At a meeting yesterday of the International Trappist Association in Brussels, the Spencer Trappist Ale was awarded the ‘Authentic Trappist Product’…
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Café La Brocante, a Brussels insitution
It’s a classic old boozer that’s been around for quite a few years, yet it still beckons with Bruxellois charm, as well as friendly, knowledgeable staff, and a fine beer selection. Not to mention good, inexpensive food. Café La Brocante is located on a corner next to Place du Jeu de Balle, where a daily…
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Belgium’s premier Christmas beer festival is this weekend
The O.B.E.R. Kerstbier festival is this weekend, and, as always, it should be a great one. O.B.E.R. are the Objective Beer Tasters of the Essen region. Essen is a small city near the Dutch border and the city of Rosendaal, about 45 minutes from Antwerp, in Antwerp Province. O.B.E.R. is a Zythos-affiliated beer club, and…
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Belgian Family Brewers Press Trip, Day 3
Brugge, Oudenaarde, Poperinge, Kortrijk Friday, November 8th had a bit of a slow start, mostly owing to the two or three late night beers many of us enjoyed at Le Trappiste in Brugge. But, it was worth it. After a fine breakfast at Martins Relais Oud Huis Amsterdam, we boarded the coach and headed out.…
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Greeting cards and prints from Belgian beer and brewery photos
Interested in beery gifts for the holiday season? Check out the print and greeting card possibilities on my page at Fine Art America. I have images from Brasserie Dupont, Brouwerij Liefmans, Chateau de Beloeil, and from the cellar of Cafe Bodega, the first beer bar run by Dirk and Leen, owners of the Kulminator, in…
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The Payottenland’s Hops, Beer, and Chocolate spa treatment
Seriously, when I saw this, I had to spread the word. The cool factor is above and beyond. Especially for the beer and chocolate-loving ladies out there. Zen Your Life, which calls itself a Center for Natural Health and Wellness, in Groot-Bijgaarden, Flemish Brabant (yep, that’s in the Payottenland) is offering a spa therapy involving…
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Herberg De Zwaan, Dworp
It’s one of the great lambic cafes of Belgium, and it’s barely two years old. Herberg De Zwaan just opened on October 1, 2011, yet it has already made a big impression on local beer lovers and with International visitors. I’m one of them. I first paid a visit to the cafe the day before…