We haven’t had a Belgian tasting in some time, so we’re heading back across the pond this week with some very special treats. Don Richardson of All Good Brands joins us next week with Mark Fields of Ararat Distributing for a sampling of the De Proef Brewmaster’s Collection. Don’t miss these unique and award-winning examples of the Belgian brewer’s art!
Le Grand Blanche “Beautiful hazy golden color capped by bright white foam. Floral and tropical fruit aromas followed by a soft wheaty palette. Finishes with a hint of hop and coriander spice notes. A bit more body than many Belgian Wits, but still stylish and refreshing.” 96 points/World Beer Championships
Saison Imperiale
“Created in 2006. While the style is generally known for its light body and subtle spice, Saison Imperiale is a bolder, ‘mega’ interpretation of the style. Light amber in color, funky wild yeast notes and spice to the nose, with a bit more malt character, body, and hop notes as appropriate to the ‘Imperiale’ style.” 89 points/World Beer Championships
Reinaert Flemish Wild Ale
“Fermented three times with two different yeasts, including a strain of brettanomyces—the “wild yeast” of lambic brewing. Pale golden color with an enormous rocky white head. Brett and spicy aromatic notes, with a malty-juicy note on the palate. Finishes with Brett and dry hop notes.” 94 points/World Beer Championships
Signature Ale
“A unique collaboration with noted San Diego brewer Tomme Arthur. A complex hybrid of aggressively hopped west coast IPA, combined with traditional Belgian brettanomyces fermentation. Strong citrus hop notes followed by hints of sourness and delicate spice and a long fimish.” 94 points/World Beer Championships
Obama won the NC primary. Were the Obama folks out in force yesterday or what? We had three phone calls and saw people on what seemed to be every street corner. Here he is yesterday mingling with folks out East at the Raleigh Times Bar.
Joey Redner lists “the world’s 10 most disgusting beers.”
[tampabay.com]
The Brits, on average, start with a pint at 6:14pm and then hang out until about 10:30pm. Other random tidbits on European drinking habits, too.
[ukpress.google.com]
Vermont gets its cap lifted and stronger beers over 8% abv are now in liquor stores. Hooray. Only a few states left with these archaic laws.
[boston.com]
Charlotte stores get busted undercover while selling beer to minors.
[wcnc.com]
Beer writer, Lew Bryson, names the World Beer Fest in Durham one of the top six beer fests in North America. Cool.
[msnbc.com]
Oh, happy day! This series of brews has been looking for a home for some time now, but it’s here. De Proef, headed by creative brewmaster Dick Naudts (aka The Prof), has put out a series of brews called the Brewmaster’s Collection. Five of the six offerings were selected for Michael Jackson’s Rare Beer Club. (We gushed about Signature Ale last year, which is a collaboration between Naudts and Port Brewing/Lost Abbey brewer, Tomme Arthur. “A complex hybrid of aggressively hopped west coast IPA, combined with traditional Belgian brettanomyces fermentation.”) Only one of the brews in the series didn’t make it this week, Lozen Boer Abt, but we should have it soon.
Alesmith Brewing Company is not a brewery we get here in North Carolina, though we wish we did. Just thinking about Speedway Stout makes us thirsty. Here’s an interview with Peter Zein, the brewmaster.
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