My experiences with the
Capitol of Belgium and beer festivals are rather bad. Belgian Beer Weekend is
one of the worst beer events I have ever seen. It is targeted to tourists and
people that want to get wasted. Therefore, I wasn’t sure whether another beer
festival in Brussels could save this city’s reputation.
Artisanal (Craft) Beer
Festival sounded very attractive though. So, I have decided to see what is all
about. This time I got some male support (thanks João for joining) and we made
our steps to the place close to the Brussels Central Station. No, not to the
Grand Place, in the other direction. In fact, I have never been there before.
The festival part was carried on the small square and the street next to it was
closed for the traffic. Nice. The event was carried in the spacy, army-like
tents standing on a Place de la Liberte. Entry price OK. Fresh air priceless.
Atmosphere outside great. Outside smokers – shame on you.
Two points that are
interesting. As you could have realized, its winter. The wear was great. Not
even a single drop of rain and warm outside. Well, it does not change the fact
that it is getting dark after 5. When we got there, it was still greyish. An
hour later there was pitch black, especially under tents. If you think that the
organizers have turned on the light you are wrong. As one of them stated –
well, we didn’t think we may need lights. Congratulations.
On the other hand, they
have put multiple candles, therefore we could still get a beer without losing
our eyes or teeth.
Second point – I have found
this event on Facebook, and didn’t know what to expect. After seeing the beer
collection and getting some additional information booklets I realize that the
whole event was to promote Belgian Beer Box (https://belgibeer.com/en/offer-gift-belgian-beer-box).
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind. I would really appreciate if all promotion
events are so natural, friendly and contain beer.
And there we go – the beer…
The Politician
Hof ten Dormaal (Belgium), Belgian Strong Ale
It is not my first contact with this brewery, and
every time they tend to surprise me. Their beers are rather experimental than
excellent, but always interesting to try. This time the surprise was that a
Belgian brewery knows how to produce bitter beer. OK, not an IPA class, still
on top of typical Belgian yeast and malt notes there is a clear hoppy finish. What
may sound funny for majority of ale-lovers is a major achievement for Belgium.
Thumbs up for that one.
Cerezas y Chocolate
Hof ten Dormaal (Belgium), Dark, sour chocolate beer
The brewer told us that the chocolate was added to
the beer just for the time of souring – max two days. The effect is a nice sour
beer, in fact even very nice with some slight notes of dark chocolate. Clearly
some chocolate in, but if you expect the level of chocolate stouts you will be disappointed.
Otherwise very interesting sour ale.
Charbon
De Dochter van der Korenaar (Belgium), Stout
Another Belgian brewery that should be interesting
for a broader publicity. Their IPA is one of the best Belgian IPAs (which does
not mean a lot), but also on my private best of list (means much more for the
IPA). Charcoal is very solid and proper stout, black like a coal, clear aromas
of coffee and some chocolate, some smoked stuff as well. Very prototypic,
classical stout. Very valuable, especially in a country that does not yet realized
how to make good stouts.
Black Mamba
Brasserie Sainte Hélène (Belgium), Stout
Another interesting stout in the festival. This
time is a bit too carbonated for my taste. But to balance that, it is hopped
with Citra and Simcoe. Could have been better but citrus and grass aromas from hops save
the day. Nice one.
Single Green Hop
De Plukker (Belgium), Belgian Ale
When describing this beer,
I have told to my colleague that usually breweries will buy fresh hops directly
from the field to do “fresh hop beer”. The brewer corrected me – the apparently
have a hop field and will brew on top. This or that way the effects are quite
decent. Nice citrus aroma, well balanced with malt. Some bitterness. Not bad.
Barbe d'Or
Brasserie Verhaeghe (Belgium), Belgian Strong Ale
Very average case of the
Belgian strong ale. Malt rules the taste and the aroma. Some biscuits in the
taste. Rather sweet moderately carbonated. Unspectacular.
Bitter XX
De Ranke (Belgium), Bitter
Belgian beer that is
supposed to have over 60 IBU. Wow. Must be good. And in fact, is not bad at
all. Decently bitter, well balanced with malt and yeasty. Some bread and honey.
Since this beer is quite easy to get in many shops, I strongly suggest to buy
one and try.
Therefore, I think that a good beer would be a
worthy tribute to a brave bear. And if you add the fact that bears love honey –
the option chosen by Wrężel seems almost perfect. 
