We head to Belgium for Vicaris Winter Ale 2011 brought to us by the Vanberg and DeWulf people…
“Vicaris Winter ale pours an intense dark brown, almost black. The nose is a warming mix of licorice and ground coffee. Flavore of anise, sweet molasses and roasted coffee dominate the palate. Like all of Dilewyn’s offerings, Vicaris Winter is never filtered. Instead it is only cold clarified by lagering for at least one month. This is one reason why the beer is so well attenuated and smooth. You would never guess it was 10% ABV.”
Thirst Insurance
Belgium is a must see for a craft beer geek. And that is coming from someone who still hasn’t been. (So many items on my Beer Bucket List). And one place that I will add to the “Places to go Column” will be In de Verzekering Tegen de Grote Dorst which in English has the almost equally cool sounding name, In the Insurance Against the Great Thirst.
Here are some bottle highlights that prove the point….
3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze De Boeck 2002
Cantillon Bruocsella Lambic Grand Cru 2005
HORAL Megablend Oude Geuze 2009
Girardin Faro
‘Nuff said.
some special Chimay
This looks like something to add to both your ‘fridge and your cellar. According to the label, “To celebrate the 150 years spent at the Abbey Of Scourmont, the Chimay Trappist brewery has developed this exceptional anniversary beer brewed specially for the occasion.”
Review – Posca Rustica
For the month of June, I will be reviewing beers not from a specific brewery or state or style but from the Vanberg & DeWulf line of beers. And I start with this gruit, Posca Rustica.
Here’s more from the V&D website about this beer…..“Since 1983, Dupont has produced a beer especially for a Gallo-Roman site near the brewery where Stone Age life is interpreted, the Archeosite d’Aubechies.
Known as Cervesia in Belgium this beer is a throwback inspired by research into the drinks of the Gallo-Roman era. It is surely one of the brewery’s most exotic beers. It is a “Cervoise” beer spiced with a gruit (an old-fashioned herb mixture used to bitter and flavor beer, that was popular before hops came to predominate). Posca Rustica beer is highly, if delicately, spiced. Sweet woodruff (known as Galium odoratum or wild baby’s breath) and bog myrtle are but two of about a dozen spices used. Posca Rustica has a unique, odiferous and spicy character. Bottle conditioned. Beguiling and unusual. Discover what beer tasted like when Belgium was ruled by the Roman Empire.”
Flanders Fred
Alan Sprints of Hair of the Dog is embarking on a 2nd collaboration this time with Belgian brewer De Struise Brouwerij and it will carry the now famous Fred name with it.
Now that I have had my Michael ’09 fix sated, (Thanks Mom for the birthday gift) now I can set my sights on this beer (and a few others too)
One More Trappist?
I saw this on the fabulous Brookston Beer Bulletin site. Jay Brooks writes,“Currently there are seven Trappist monastery breweries authorized to use the “Authentic Trappist Product” label by the International Trappist Association. Six are in Belgium, one is in the Netherlands. It looks like an 8th monastery is applying for authorization to brew beer under the official designation. The monastery of Engelszell Stift has filed an application and expects to be notified of the ITAs decision in 4-5 weeks.
According to Trappist-Beers.com, the Engelszell Stift monastery was “founded in 1293 and needs financial input to recover the old paintings, fresco’s and paintings” and has decided to start a small brewery to raise the necessary funds. It is located a little over 120 miles from Munich in Austria. According to Wikipedia, it’s the only one in Austria and is located in the northwest part of the country known as the Innviertel.”
I wonder how the whole application process is for this designation? Are there check-ups from inspectors? A letter grade like restaurants in California? And most importantly will this open the floodgates to more?
Gnomes in New York
“This delectable blonde ale is a co-creation of two famed farmstead breweries: Brewery Ommegang and Brasserie d’Achouffe. It employs five fine malts, two noble hops, and both of the distinctive Chouffe and Ommegang yeasts. You’ll enjoy the smooth drinkability, fruity aromas and flavors, and warming finish.”
Good to see that the cross pollination of Duvel, d’Achoufee and Ommegang is continuing. It will only make for better beer. And who doesn’t like that little red-nosed gnome?
Add to the beer bookshelf
What I don’t know about lambics could fill a book. That’s why I will be asking for this…
…for my birthday or Valentine’s Day whichever works!
Go to the great Books About Beer to pick up your copy.
New, old Rodenbach
Here are some excerpts from the press release about this special beer…
“Vintage 2008 was aged in oak vat number 96 at Brouwerij RODENBACH in Roeselare, Belgium for the last two years. The 750 ml bottles are cork topped and the Flanders sour ale resembles an Oloroso sherry wine with its deep red, coppery glow. Cask 96 was chosen for this year’s special Vintage because its track record in producing sour beer over the years has been superior.”
“Vintage 2008 is 7% ABV and is more mild than RODENBACH Grand Cru. Like other good sour beers, RODENBACH Vintage pairs perfectly with food because of the absence of hop bitterness. Vintage 2007 took home the Silver award in the Wood and Barrel Aged Sour category at this year’s World Beer Cup in Chicago.”
“There are only 30,000 750 ml bottles of Vintage 2008. RODENBACH is often called the missing link between beer and wine.”
Koelschip
Beer stores are not just an American phenomenon. I have talked about Ojai Beverage, Sunset Beer and more recently The Beer Junction but you can get great foreign beer too.
Today’s example is Beer Shop ‘t Koelschip Oostende. Long name and it will take you longer to decide on what you want to buy. A selection of over 500 beers and growing.
Just be sure to leave extra room in your luggage to bring home some goodies.