In the barrel room at Brasserie Cantillon in Brussels, Belgium, these words are painted on a barrel head that’s been tacked to a column: “Le temps ne respecte pas ce qui se fait sans lui.” Time does not respect that which is done without it. The beer at Cantillon, the world-class lambic brewery, is aged … [ Read more]
Boom Island announces Breaking Boundaries Series
January 10, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Until now, Boom Island Brewing has mostly stuck to faithful representations of classic Belgian beers. In 2017, they’ll veer off the beaten path. Boom Island has announced the kick-off of their Breaking Boundaries Series—four single-batch beers (only 12 barrels each, and one per quarter), each a riff on a classic Belgian brew. The label art for the … [ Read more]
Boom Island releasing Triple Brett – which is not as intense as it sounds
April 22, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The newest entry to Boom Island Brewing‘s Spontaneous Series, Triple Brett, is slated for release on Friday, May 13 at 6pm. As the name implies, Triple Brett has been fermented simultaneously with three different strains of Brettanomyces yeast. It’s then aged for 10 weeks in French oak red wine barrels. “[The process of creating Triple Brett] is taking elements … [ Read more]
New Brew: Boom Island Django Hop Bier
February 5, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Boom Island Brewing Company hasn’t ventured too far into the hoppy side of brewing. Other than their Belgian-style IPA, Thoprock (which was especially terrific in its wet-hop form), their beers have relied mostly on malt and yeast for their defining flavors. But even the most traditional Belgians have succumbed to the IPA craze. Recent formulations like Duvel Tripel … [ Read more]
Brasserie de Rochefort Trappistes Rochefort 10
February 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Brasserie de Rochefort Trappistes Rochefort 10 11.3% ABV Brasserie De Rochefort, located in the Ardennes region of Belgium, is one of ten authentic Trappist monasteries (look for the hexagonal blue logo on the bottle) and they brew three identical beers to different strength: 6 (red cap), 8 (green cap) and 10 (blue cap). 10 is the … [ Read more]
Brouwerij Boon Geuze Mariage Parfait
February 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Brouwerij Boon Geuze Mariage Parfait 8% ABV Geuze is a skillful blend of young and old lambics, aged and re-fermented in the bottle. Mariage Parfait consists of 95% mild lambic aged in oak barrels for at least three years and 5% young lambic. It is the latter that provides the fermentable sugars and wild yeast … [ Read more]
Brauerei Alken-Maes Grimbergen Dubbel
February 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Brauerei Alken-Maes Grimbergen Dubbel ABV: 6.5% Grimbergen’s version of this classic style shows a clear, deep-mahogany color with an orange tinge that reflects grandly in the light. One can barely notice the sandy-colored head at the top. The nose is unmistakably Belgian and is rife with candy such as toffee, cotton candy and brown sugar with … [ Read more]
Who Are the Trappists, Anyway?
February 10, 2014 by 2 Comments
By Michael Agnew Photos by Nick Hiller “Trappist.” That one word evokes deep reverence in even the most secular beer nerd. In the minds of many, this mark of monastic provenance elevates these beers above the rest. It is synonymous with quality and complexity. It conjures images of robed monks chanting, heads bowed, over boiling … [ Read more]
Antwerp-Belgium Brewing Seef Bier
December 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Antwerp-Belgium Brewing Seef Bier ABV: 6.5% This unique recipe dates to post WWI (1918-19ish). With its Belgian roots, this pale ale pours like a traditional Belgian, but the aroma and the thick head sets this beer apart from the others. Seef Bier is a really earthy, cloudy beer (hence the swirling needed in this traditional … [ Read more]
Homebrew Recipe: Orange Blossom Honey Tripel
August 6, 2013 by 2 Comments
This recipe appears in Michael Dawson’s book, “Mashmaker: A Citizen-Brewer’s Guide to Making Great Beer at Home.” Learn more at mashmakerbook.com. The youngster in the family of Belgian monastic beers, Tripel is attributed to the Trappist abbey of Westmalle, where it was first brewed in the early 20th century as a response to the soaring … [ Read more]
Biere de Garde: Getting to Know a Real Farmhouse Ale
October 29, 2012 by 1 Comment
Style Profile Goes Rustic By Michael Agnew, A Perfect Pint The border between France and Belgium is also a beverage border of sorts. It marks the point where the wine culture of southern Europe gives way to the beer culture of the north. While France is rightfully lauded for its fine wines, as one edges … [ Read more]
