BXLBeer Fest 2017 - first (?) craft beer festival in Brussels

BXL Beer Fest 2017

A capital city of Belgium is known because of a lot of things – Manneken Piss, Grand place, food, beer. But not really a craft beer.

When I first came to Belgium, I have joined an event called Belgian Beer Weekend. After an evening spend on a Grand Place of Brussels. Crowded with drunken tourists, and being served beers that I could get in the supermarket next door, I got a strong impression that Belgian Beer Culture is vastly overrated. It took me a lot of time to realize, that a quite a few of this so called Belgian family brewers are owned by large international corporations and that the event I have attended is Belgian counterpart of Oktoberfest. Which means – hardly any craft beer lovers are going there.

Since then, I have been in many Belgian beer festivals and have developed a solid respect to the local scene. Even more, because there is slow opening to the beer from outside and local breweries started to realize that one can brew more styles that blonde, ambree double and triple.

Now going to the BXLBeerFest17. I was really excited about that event. Advertised as a “Good craft & honest beers...” was being held for the first time this year. I was even more excited because folks from the BeerHive were strongly involved there and I always enjoy to see proper beer info made using their app (https://www.beerhive.com/).

Summary of the festival:

Place:

Tours&Taxis, old warehouse and offices, formerly being a part of a railway system. Build in the beginning of the XX century contain several large and small building, that were carefully renovated almost 10 years ago, the main building has even got the Europa Nostra award for the renovation quality (2008). So, yes, the venue of the festival really kicks ass.

Fee:

Appropriate. 25 Euro includes glass, booklet and tokens. Number of booklets were limited, the organizers encouraged use of internet (all beers were listed on Untapped). 

BTW. few days after the festival I accidentally broke my glass. I would be grateful if somebody could tell me where to get one (if possible)?

Who was there?:

49 breweries, 12 countries,

Worries:

Who came to the idea that the last beer is being served at 8 pm on Saturday? OK, I could take it on Sunday – people need to go to work, brewers must get home etc. But Saturday? Simply weird.

Second worry is the attendance – I was there for a few hours on Saturday evening, which in my experience is always the moment when craft beer festivals are full. But not that one – in fact, there was a lot of space in the tour and taxis. Trying to be positive, I could say that the expo space was huge and there is a possibility that this added to an optical illusion of having less people attending the festival. Still I would be happy to know that the event was a commercial success.

BEERS

CONSOLATION PRIZE

Imperial IPA

Lord Hobo (USA)

Not a very good start of the festival. Not a bad beer, but clearly does not stand out of the crowd of IPAs one can get on the market. Average body, average, typical IPA fruity and grassy aroma. Lower than average bitterness. Mediocre at best.

Û BACCABIANCA

Italian Grape Ale (IGA)

Ca’ del Brado (Italy)

Italians do wine. Don’t they? Well this could have been a true statement in the past, but nowadays Italians also brew. And they do it better and better. They can also be innovative – e.g.: by joining two worlds beer and wine. Italian Grape Ale was recognized as a separate style by BJCP in 2015. The main style characteristic is that the grapes are the part of the recipe, but they shouldn’t overcome other beer-like attributes. Color and the rest are rather open-end parameters.

Û Baccabianca is the first time I have tried a grape ale. And is complicated – 2 sorts of grapes, spontaneous fermentation, addition of Brettanomyces and aging for 6 months. Complex process and complex beer. First feeling is that it resembles a little Grodziskie/Gratzer style. Light sour, bit smoked. But the grapes give it a nice fresh and grape aroma twist. On top, there is a clear bitter note. Light carbonation and very smooth on the tongue. This clearly is a great beer!

DIRTY NAP

DIPA (IIPA?)

The Veil Brewing (USA)

What do you say about one of the best double (imperial) IPAs I have ever tried? Humongous blast of oranges, grapefruit, pineapple and mango in the nose, tastes like hoppy heaven. Bitter after 3-4 sips. Not filtered, creamy, well balanced. FANTASTIC.

MONKEY ON A TRAIN

American IPA

Ocelot (USA)

Another interesting story from the festival. This is the second time in my life I have tried a beer with lupulin powder.

Lupulin powder (LupuLN2) is believed to be a new hype in brewing. Fresh hops are being dry frozen and literally mashed to dust. This apparently results in magical powder that would replace the fresh hops. The trick is that to obtain the effects of 1 kg hops by adding 0.5 kg of powder. I have tried a beer with lupulin recently at OtherHalf Brewing in NYC and was not impressed. In comparison to the other beers they were selling lupulin one was not great. I honestly hoped that the powder is not “much ado about nothing”, and that there is a learning curve that need to be done by brewers. Monkey on a train was second time I have tried a magical powder beer, and this time I was positively surprised. The final product was more than solid, aromatic, tropical-fruity blast of aroma. If I could complain a little is low bitterness. Still, it was clear for me that this time lupulin was used in a proper way. And the brewer has confirmed it – they have experimented with lupulin and forund out that just adding it to the tank is not sufficient. It will behave a little like oil, forming small balls and not really mixing in. To cope with that Ocelot has created a special technological process including a lot of additional mixing and pumping. The effects are amazing. Well done.

Thanks a lot for all the info

Wadesda 7

Saison blended with Catillon lambic

Brasserie de la Senne

Experimental beer from Brasserie de la Senne. Were you ever curious how would lambic-infused Saison taste? Well it tastes like lambic with a tick of bitter taste. Peppery, aromatic and unusual. Very interesting to try, but on every day basis only for lambic lovers.

Belgian Goat

Belgian Strong Ale BA

Brasserie de la Lienne

Normally, barrel-aged beers get some nice aroma that add to their complexity. In the modern craft people tend to put strong beers in the various styles of barrels, and usually obtain unique and amazing effects. But for me a golden rule is – the beer must have a kick-as aroma before barrel aging. And I mean it. Don’t try to barrel age international lager. Otherwise it will be like aging sparkling water. All aromas will come from the barrel, and IMHO - nothing great can be obtained that way.

From all other nations, Belgians seem to have a different opinion on that fact (and I respect it). I have already tried Belgian blonde that was aged in cider barrels (yep, tasted like cider). This time Brasserie de la Lienne have aged their Belgian golden ale in a Belgian Owl whisky barrels. Apparently, there are only 574 bottles of this beer, which makes it unique. Sadly, this is not followed by the aroma or taste. You know what is the characteristic of Belgian strong golden ales – these are great beers, that contain an enormous amount of booze in a way that you drink it almost like water. Smooth, not very yeasty, not too bitter, alcohol not detectable (even if it is clearly there). Amazing beer, but not the aromatic one. Barrel aging have clearly added a lot to the overall appearance – caramel aromas, boozy sweetness are on the positive side. Strange vegetable taste and veal appearance of being a cheap, washed out whisky are on the negative side. I was glad that I have tasted this one during the festival, because I believe that I would be quite annoyed after paying the high shop price for this one. 

100 Years

Stout

Pravda Beer Theatre (Ukraine)

Another fresh encounter for me – first ever beer from Ukraine. And a good one – a high class stout. Low carbonation, not very bitter, but the aroma and flavor of smoked plums make it original and outstanding. I hope that there will be no problems, but I am very thankful for selling this beer to me at 8:05 pm (after the sale stop).

Alvine Craft Beer Ferstival 2017

This time we have visited the far west of Belgium for another beer festival. Honestly, I was quite excited to see that one, not because of the location, but because most of the invited breweries are not Belgian.

Yes.

Somebody here did realize that craft beer exists outside of Belgium.

Some facts: 130 beers, 19 breweries form around the world. On top festival is organized by a brewery (Alvinne) in a magical place called Bierhalle Deconinck.

Why magical?

Because for a beer geek, entering the gigantic shop with thousands of beers from all the world is better than finding the Alladin’s treasure. The festival venue itself is rather average, modern building with stands and places to eat. All advantages of being inside (no smokers) and enough space to have fun.

What I also noticed were groups of people not only drinking beers but also taking notes and rating the stuff. Yes, I have seen that before, but I have never seen so many. This again tells you that people coming to this festival are interested in craft. Neat, clean but nothing more.

There is a compulsory beer glass and tokens for a start. Price €1.50 for a beer is absolutely OK.

One very important information for the next year! Buy your ticket online! The festival tickets were sold out already on Friday around 7 pm. 

Something fancy, a wash station. Wash your glass in between the beers. Nice idea.

How about the beer? Here are today's candidates.

6^oN Magic Six

(Scottland), Pale Ale

Good start of the festival. Very nice pale ale. Nice aroma of grass and tropical fruits, mostly mango. Bitter enough to satisfy geeks. Just don’t expect the power of IPA and you will enjoy this one. For everybody.

Guineu.’t Verzet Super Yeah!

(Spain), APA

Rather solid thank great. On one hand, it has all aromas of hops and malts that a good APA needs, on the other, the overall feeling is rather diluted and watery.

Landlocked

England, IPA

Another solid example of IPA. It is going more in the direction of classical British IPA with a small modern aromatic twist. I am not a fan of classical British IPAs but if somebody is, can probably enjoy it.

Laugar Random 80

Spain, Rye IPA

All the time I believe, that, in this case I was given a wrong beer. Some stout or so. Therefore, no rating for this one.

La Pirata Tremenda Revival

Spain, IPA

Yep, I was revived after trying this beer. Great IPA with overwhelming hoppy aroma and more than solid bitterness. Medium body, medium carbonation. Close to perfection.

Het Uiltje Old Enough To Drink

Netherlands, Icedistilled IPA

This is a perfect example of what craft can be. Take a very good IPA and freeze it. What happens is that the beer essence will to some extend separate from water. Remove the water and thaw the whole thing. What is left is the IPA essence, a pure pleasure. Brutal heavy aromas of hops, perfect balance with malt. 21% alcohol, but balanced in a way that the beer does not feel alcoholic at all. We are talking here about one of the best beers I had in my life. Thick, hoppy, aromatic. It kicked my ass. World Class.

Moreover, the festival price of 2 tokens (€3 for a glass) is more than OK. These guys will start bottling the beer on Monday. I want 10 bottled for a start please.

One comment – is the name and the amount of alcohol a kind of a joke from the USA? Legal age to start drinking in US is 21…

Beavertown Uptown Monk

England, Rye Triple aged in White Wine Barrels

Another proof that you need a lot of aroma to age a beer in a barrel. Belgian Triples are rather malty and yeasty and its clearly not enough to cope with aggressive white wine flavors. At the end its more a wine than a beer. You may like it, you may not. Overall it is interesting.

Kees Caramel Fudge Stout

Netherlands, Imperial Stout

I was expecting much more seeing the word Fudge in the name. My saliva was coming out in the expectation of thick rich aromatic wonder. Sadly, this stout is too watery to deserve the name Fudge. Caramel enough, but not enough overall.

Alvinne & Friends Mano Negra Cognac BA

Belgium, Imperial Stout

And this is an example of what barrel aging can do to a strong beer. Marvelous aroma of cognac, dried plum and roasted malts. Heavy, thick structure. Flavor of roast and plums, no clear alcohol. Almost no carbonation. This is not everybody’s beer. But if you dare to try it is worth it. Brilliant.

Alvinne & Friends Cuvee d’Erpigny Pedro Ximenez

Blond beer aged in Pedro Ximenez sherry barrels. Apparently this one was aged for one year. OK, it may need more. Or it may never come to the point where it would be a worthy beer. Too watery, too average. Overally disappointing.

"WHAT DO WE DRINK TODAY: BEER OR TEE" DILEMA SOLVED 
(big test of Earl Grey beers on the market).

COMPETITORS:
Arcybrowar - Dark Earl Grey IPA
Revolta - Earl Grey AIPA
Olimp - Panakeja (Earl Grey IPA)

Brewed: All in Poland
Tested: bottles, 23.07.2016

Is it only my feeling, or the anno domini 2016 is the year of experiments in the polish craft? Instead of making sure that the beer you have already tested and like is accessible, anytime you want it, Polish beer crafters seems to be busy with the experimental work. Normally, I would say that there are some limits of what you can add to the beer (and to be still able to call it a beer), but the fact that 3 breweries in Poland (at least, please let me know if I miss something) have decided to add tea to the beer must mean something. 

I think that they want to solve the beer-tea dilema.

OK, I will stop the bullshit. How does this combinations taste? Specific.

If you are not a fan of Earl Grey tea, you dont even need to read further. A looooooot of Earl Grey was added here and you will not like it at all. Otherwise you are good to go.

First is the Dark Earl Grey IPA brewed by Arcybrowar. The Force (Earl Grey) is rather strong in this one. The amount of bergamotte added is solid and its strong in taste and aroma. However, still there are some citrus and possibly cardamon. The bergamotte is very well ballanced by some malt aroma and hops. Rather bitter combination and low carbonated. All together very good beer. Ex aequo place 1.

What about the AIPA? Things are getting interesting here - Revolta brewed a beer rather amber in colour (I suspect more bergamotte oil and less tea as such). This or that way, there is a clearly citrus aroma here and a lot of cardammon. Medium carbonation and solid but not overwhelming hopping are doing the job. In fact, its much more close to what I have expected to be a beer with earl grey flavout than the other competitors here. Really good beer. Ex aequo place 1.

Olimp Panakeja was a surprise (it was so surprising that I had two bottles, on two different days, from two different shops, just to see if I was right). And not a good one. Whereas two other beers in the test were clearly beers with earl grey. Panakeja is for me earl grey tee with hops. Concentrated tee is rather bitter + high hopping = really heavy piece of crafted ...tea. Bergamote and bitter aromas are really killing this one. All together not a beer I would ever taste again.