Soiree Italia: Bibibir & La Tana, hosted by Fermenthings Brussels, November 24, 2017

Fermenthings

Pierre Timmermansstraat 28A, 1090 Jette - Brussel

Today, I continue my quest in getting more likes on Facebook and entries on the blog.

No, different start.

Today I continue my effort of trying to get recognition by a local beer scene in publishing reports from small events that are interesting for craft beer, and nobody except me gives a damn to write about them.

Not wrong, but maybe wrong start.

Let’s try like that:

Today, I visit a new shop in Brussels. Fermenthings (www.fermenthngs.be) dedicated to beer… STOP… fermentation. It is fair to assume that beer brewing is the highest form of fermentation, but these people are really interested in all fermented things. Yoghurt, kombucha, they have it all. and will help you to do one at home. I have visited the shop once in our quest to get the live kefir and kombucha cultures and found out that they also organize Beer and Food evenings. The closest one was dedicated to Italian beer. Or, to be precise to a beer from Bibibir. Interesting, since I have never tried this brewery before. I have gathered an international pack of 3 Italians, complemented with French and Portuguese colleagues and there we were on Friday evening.

Overall, the shop is a nice place to be. Well renovated, neat and tidy. Very good selection of Brussel beers and beers from the north of Belgium. Real craft. No Jupiler. Some sitting places, enough standing space with tables. Everybody speaks English.

Entry price is OK.

And then the surprise of the week – the organizers have managed to invite the brewers from Bibibir to join the evening and bring even more of their beers. No, the Italians didn’t come because it was so important to be there (I hope it may be in the future), they have come to visit Vine, Beers, Rebels 2017 in Brussels. Still, the fact the Fermenthing had them there is a plus. Less OK, was the fact that the tap has failed to work. But this one can be forgiven, as Bibibir brought two additional beers to taste.

What was not OK is the amount of food, when I hear – you pay for the beer and the food is there. Then I mean that the food is there. Don’t get me wrong, I am willing to pay for my food, but I need to know in advance that it’s the case. Btw.: they have promised that the Polish evening will be better fed. I hope so.

Now the beer. Or rather Bibibir.

I would like to start with the negative beer of the evening – double IPA (Zero Sei). You really waste your time trying that one. Technically it may be the right style, but if you expect that it will hit any of your sensed with aroma or taste, you are wrong.

Then the good average: Belgian ale, American ale, triple and the wit were OK. You can go for them if you like. No harm will be taken and you can even enjoy.

VEDO QUADRUPLO

First positive out layer is the Peated Quadrupel. Vedo Quadruplo is a bit unusual with its light smoked character, but for me it adds a positive twist on top on its typical, quad like raisin, caramel and honey sweetness character. Another plus – no alcohol detectable. Very smooth to drink.  

WHITE SHOCK

The beer of the evening is the white IPA called White Shock. Amazing aroma of citrus and grass complemented with some sweet, malty notes. Body is a bit low and carbonation could be a tad lower for my taste, but the flavor of citrus and some bitterness make that one crazy drinkable and highly enjoyable. World class. Chapeau bas. 





Overall, it was a great evening with beer and friends. Thanks to Fermenthings!

Limburgse bierweekend 2016 - a very different beer festival

Limburgse bierweekend 2016

Today a summary of the strangest beer even I have been – “Limburgse bierweekend 2016”. Until the last moment I am perplexed what to write about it, because I have a lot of mixed feelings. Let’s start with the facts – Beer weekend is organized by the local Beer Friends (Limburgse Biervrienden), once per year, since 22 years. This year’s edition (23) is the last one. As one of the helpers told me - “Our leaders are getting older and are tired of all the work that is put in the event. They also think 23 is the great number to finish”.

Please, do not blame me, that’s exactly what I have heard.

This years’ event was planned for 3 days and there were proud 120+ beers to try (12 from the tap). For the full list of the beers lease check here (http://www.limburgse-biervrienden.be/bierlijst-2016.html). Because of the circumstances, I have visited it on the last day.

Beer weekend was held in the Cultuurcentrum Hasselt, located close to the centre of the town of Hasselt*.

Immediately after seeing, I loved the indoor location, because it prevents direct smoking. At the entrance we were welcome by very nice gentleman, who has briefly explained us the rules. Very simple one – introduction price of 10 euro will cover for a festival glass, a booklet and a few tokens to get a beer. Each beer from the tap is 1 euro. Fair price. Prices of the bottled beer will vary.

The Booklet itself is something that is worth mentioning. Especially, since it’s the best one I have ever seen. It contains names of the beer and their short, but very informative description. Beers are sorted by style, but there is also a list sorted by name. Having all this info – I was missing a bit a list sorted by a numb. Still a great help.

Welcome view was a very attractive presentation of many beer bottles. Almost as good as in my basement. 

Behind, there was a great hall filled with tables. Beer ambiente was provided by flags of different breweries. 

12 taps on the left and a row of fridges on next to it. Nothing more, not a single stand of the brewery. WTF I thought. The explanation is simple – it seems that the local organization is organizing a kind of re-selling party. Really a strange way to run a festival. On the other thing – it seems that locals were accepting it for 23 years…

But, this was not the worst part – the worst part started when I have notices that they have flags with numbers for each beer hanging below the ceiling. Bloody hell, at the beginning of the third day already 60% of beers were missing.

Shit, and double shit. Why would you like to run a festival and be that way not prepared? Seriously – I could understand that 1-2 beers were missing. OK. I could even handle 10%, but 60%. This is not my first festival, but the first time I see the situation like that. With all respect – it is a joke!

This was the last event in the series, so enough for this – for me the diseaster of the year on the local beer scene.

Just to be exact, a small stage with a presenter opening the day and doing the tombolas every hour.

Just to be honest out of my list of 12 beers to test, only 3 were left. And here is what I think:

Jack’s Precious IPA

De Proefbrij vr The Musketeers

A positive side of the festival. I have never had this one before, but if you want to try nice, modern world-type IPA made in Belgium this one is good. Clear hops in aroma. Fresh grass and citrus in both aroma and taste. Really close to the taste of Lagunitas. May still lack a bit to the top beers in a style, but it is still a very good one.

Spencer Trappist IPA

Brewery Spencer

As it seems breweries from USA can also get Trappist certification. And they are trying to connect Trappist tradition with American brewing art. Therefore, a Trappist IPA. Definitely more Trappist than IPA. Very strong, heavily yeasty. For a good side – there is a solid addition of bittering hops (Perle). Sadly aroma hops were either not present in the brewing process, or they were killed by the yeast. OK, but far from being great.   

BTW. The photo was edited by my daughter. I love her work.

Full of Hops White IPA

Het Nest

IPA? Where? It’s a beer flavored water for me. Poor aroma and taste. Its not even a beginners beer. Dissolve Jacks Precious IPA 10 times in water and you get that one. Bad.

*under circumstances, this could be a day saver. Hasselt is a capital of the Limburg province and could be a nice place to visit, if not the freezing cold and a pouring rain.