Festival des Bieres Artisanales, 17 September 2017, Nivelles, Belgium

Festival des Bieres Artisanales

17 September 2017, Nivelles, Belgium

The festival is being held for a second year in a row. You can find my last year report here.
https://beerlander.blogspot.com/2016/09/festival-des-bieres-artisanales-17.html

About Nivelles:

Nivelles is in the Wallon-Brabant region of Belgium and its population is almost exclusively French speaking (and they mean it). Its rather small town (28000 people) with a long history. Per the Wikipedia the first settlers started to work here around 4000 bc. Then it suffered from Roman and German invasions.

The important part of Nivelles history starts with a woman named Gertrude, who became first abbes of the monastery founded here by her mother. As the Gertrude was venerated a saint upon her death, the place required space to handle the growing numbers of pilgrims. That’s how the impressive collegiate church of Saint Gertrude was build. The area around the collegiate is the cultural and leisure center of the town until today. In fact, the collegiate itself is worth seeing (on top you can see the sarcophagus of St Gertrude and listen to a famous 49-bell carillon here).

As the festival in Nivelles is concentrated on a regional food and drinks, also the brewers come from the area. Observing them is very interesting – half of the day gives you an excellent opportunity to overview Belgian craft beer scene.

1.

Belgians love blonde beer. Majority of the beer on the festival was blonde. Moreover, I have spotted a few new brewers (new for me) that have offered just blonde beer (see the photos below). If you are surprised why there no reviews of the blonde beers in this post – blonde is the second most boring beer style existing (IMHO) and even after two years of living in Belgium, I am not able to separate good blonde from bad. They are just all boring.

2.

Here beer is the solution... This was the first time I have seen a social project to be supported by selling its own beer. Somehow beer in my mind is still connected with causing social problems rather than resolving them. In Belgium, it is different, Beer is a part of a culture and nobody here would think that it could be bad for a society to drink beer. Btw. I have tried a framboise and it was great fruity, not worse from any framboise of famous brand that I could get in the supermarket. This is the way of support I admire.

3.

Belgians can’t brew… IPA. OK..ok… this clearly is generalization as there are already a few good Belgian IPAs. Still, the clear majority of the local IPA-beers should be put in a box called experiments that failed. This one is no different. Funny earthy aroma, very strange aftertaste, no bitterness.  (Hoppy Redskin, Red IPA, Brasserie Hoppy, http://www.brasseriehoppy.be).  

4.

The number does not always mean quality. Belgians are considered beer nation. They produce thousands of beers and there are approx. 200 breweries in this small country. If you ask an average Belgian about their beer they think that it is the best thing in the world (maybe after Belgian chocolate).

Let's just say this is very simplistic view. Here some examples.

From the left – two beers of a Brasserie du Renard (www.brasseriedurenards.be). The one on the left – La Roublarde is brewerd with the use of 4 malts and 5 aromatic hops. La Roublarde is very low in aroma of hops, smelling mostly of malt and dried fruits. Taste is clearly malty and sweetish, full body and creamy texture with a metallic aftertaste. Not the first time where adding too much does not result in anything special.

The one in the middle is La Rousse de Poire from the same brewery. This one is supposed to be a fruit beer with an addition of pears. Phew. 3 People in my group have tried and couldn’t smell or taste pears here. Malt, yeast, heavy carbonation. Yes. Pears. Not.

Bisous M’Chou – called a social drink since 2015. I was wondering why would you consider this a social drink and I know it. When people socialize, it is better to avoid controversies. What is the least controversial taste, where it really is hard to quarrel? it is WATER. Well, Bisous is a perfect replacement (www.bisousmchou.com). 

5.

Every time I try to be negative there are some beers that are really striking and I must shut up and enjoy. These are few surprises of the festival. Even more because two of them are beers with addition of fruits, that usually will not get my attention.

Monkita

Who would imagine that the brewery that gave us the Bisous M’chou described above would be able to brew such a kick ass banana beer. There is no sarcasm, it is like eating a banana, not an artificial powder like many banana-taste things on the market. This is amazing, real fruit experience. Minions would love it!

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Pampelmousse

Bertinchamps (http://www.bertinchamps.be/) has delivered another blast. One of the best grapefruit beers I have ever had and a great idea of refreshing the traditional blonde beer. When adding a serious number of grapefruit to a flat blonde, you obtain a sort of grapefruit based refreshing drink. Almost a soft drink not a beer. Hint of ginger and a soda feeling. Overall very nice and fresh. I like the idea and the product. The only worry I have is the timing – this is clearly a summer beer (and only summer), releasing it so late could kill it.

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La Robuste Ambree 

& 

La Redoutable

Sorry this time just a photo of the stand. Ambree and Triple Brune from the brewery Elfique (www.elfique.be). Whereas the Ambree was quite OK, with its moderate sweet-bitter taste, caramel and fruity aromas it was clearly above the average. What I loved was triple brune. Really heavy, liquor, sweetness. Aroma of malt and some hops. Could as well be a Belgian answer to English barley wine. Very good beer. 

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Belgo Sapiens Triple

Last, but no least the beer of the festival (at least for me). Belgo sapiens (www.belgosapiens.be) has delivered an amazing Triple. Smooth, nonalcoholic, but well hopped and aromatic. This is the best Triple beer I have had this year and probably the best Belgian Triple. Why, because it is perfect combination of traditional smooth triple and a modern hoppy beer. What is important – it is not American Triple, a triple simply loaded with tons of Citra or Mosaic, the bitterness is subtle, but clear, it does not change the character of Triple style but just adds a new facet. It just knocked me off my socks. Brilliant.

They should be selling that in 2 weeks and I will be standing at the door of the brewery waiting for the sale start.

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Last but not least - two extra hoppy (and happy beers)

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.

Sea Dog Brewing - Orlando branch

Visit at the

Sea Dog Brewing Company Orlando Florida

8496 Palm Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32836, USA

Sea Dog Brewing Company is all American network of brewpubs. With 8 locations, all over the USA it at least gets a chance that a visitor may stumble upon on of their brewpubs. The one I have visited in Orlando is located a bit far from the downtown. Depending on the traffic 30-40 minutes. This is a bad side. On the good side, it’s just 10 minutes’ drive from the biggest congress center of Orlando and very close to some of the Disney attractions. So, if you go to Orlando for a congress or visit one of the theme parks, there is a good chance that Sea Dog is within your reach.

And it is worth to.

Located in a touristy strip mall, Sea Dog Orlando offers you a variety of food including burgers, but also salads and seafood, placing it above the usual pub grub. We went there in a small company, and the only point of criticism were fries. People from all around the world enjoyed the food, which is a 

                                                                          good sign.

Service was good, professional, fast and not disturbing the conversation. The place seems to be family friendly, and many folks were there with their kids.

The moment I went there they have offered 18 beers on Tap. All their made. One could complain about a lack of other beers, but then, on the other hand, when I go to visit a brewing company, I don’t really care to try visitor’s beer.

Professional enough they offer sampler sizes of their beers (always in sets of four).

One thing that I have noted looking up their beers ratebeer - for me it seems that they are vastly underrated. It is not like they brew the best beer in the world, but with an average score of approx. 3 (from all their beers) they are a bit behind of what they are worth. Maybe a general point of criticism is that most of the beers were a bit over the top - when they say maple stout they mean it. Still, I strongly believe that even if you are a beer geek and have tried some of the best beers in the world, you will be pleasantly surprised by going to Sea Dog Orlando.

Sampler #1

Sea Dog Blueberry Ale

Aroma and flavor of sweet blueberries and pie, lemongrass on top. Almost sweet, no hops at all. Bit sweet overall. Medium carbonated. Quite original, I like it.

Mango IPA

There is a clear mango in both aroma and flavor. It is also bitter on top, not too bitter but clear. It is still missing something in between. Would profit from some aroma hops, or heavier malt. It is not bad, but a bit one-sided.

Island Time IPA

Nice IPA for everybody, bitter enough to convince IBU-freaks and aromatic enough to make almost everybody happy. Bit too much CO2. Very drinkable one.

Hazelnut porter

This one rules. Roasted malt and hazelnut aroma, bit dark fruits and coffee in taste. Body is light and enough earthy hops to make my day. Not too sweet, not too bitter, very aromatic. Both thumbs up.

Sampler #2

Deep blue

Another light IPA, this time more malty than hoppy. Not great, but will do no harm to anybody.

Equator

IPA with habaneros? I am in. Maybe I would add more hops, so that its getting more spicy-aromatic-bitter. Instead its only spicy-bitter. Very interesting beer, but one of the hottest beers I have ever tried.

Maple Bacon Stout

Weakest one I have tried here. Maple is clearly present, but where is the smoked bacon. There are some aromas of roasted malt. But bacon? Sorry, no.

Gilbert’s Chocolate Milk Stout

It should be called Chocolate-Strawberries milk stout. And it should be called a good one. Some people may not like it because of its strong fruity nature, but I just loved it.