Not long ago the news that one of the world’s rarest beers, Westvleteren 12, will be released for sale next week. In the video below I talk about this extraordinary beer on “I Know Jax” with my cohort Joe Talentino.
There has been a recent uptick of interest in all things gnome. From the animated movie Gnomeo & Juliet to the photos circulating the Internet of zombified gnomes attacking helpless garden flamingos, gnomes are on a roll. This week the hype comes to its pinnacle, June 6-9 is gnome week and the 6,666th anniversary of gnomes discovering the magic water that brews magical beers. And, there are a number of celebrations taking place throughout Jacksonville to commemorate the illustrious occasion.
Gnomes are widely considered mystical spirits of magic and alchemy that were first mentioned in the 16th century by Swiss alchemist Paracelsus. He described them as just two spans high (about two feet), reluctant to interact with humans, and able to move through solid rock as easily as we m,ove through air. They are often associated with mines or underground streams. According to legend, a village of gnomes discovered that the waters of Cedrogne Spring in what would become Belgium had magical properties. It was said that the water could heal numerous ailments so the gnomes soon began using the water to brew beer. Naturally, that beer held on to the magical properties of the water.
This week, come drink with Carolyn Graham of Brown Distributing, she will be hosting several events where there will be beer born of that ancient spring in Belgium from Brassiere d’Achouffe. The fun begins Wednesday and continues through Saturday.
Wednesday, June 6
Engine 15 Brewing Company from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tastings of several brews from Brassiere d’Achouffe.
Thursday, June 7
Cork & Keg from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
More great brew to taste.
Friday, June 8
Total Wine & More from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Brassiere d’Achouffe poured by Marc Wisdom, Jacksonville Craft Beer Examiner and I Know Jax’s the Beer Guy.
Pele’s Wood Fire
Gnome Gnights three-course dinner with beer pairings for just $30.
Saturday, June 9
Whole Foods from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
More samples and more fun!
Pele’s Wood Fire
Gnome Gnights three-course dinner with beer pairings for just $30.
So, get out your pointy hats, groom your curly white beards, and come taste several of the brews from Brassiere d’Achouffe. You are sure to leave whistling a happy tune – or was that dwarves who did that?
Belgian beers have long been my favorites and, as evidenced by my trip to Belgium last year, my passion. I love the variety the Belgian brewers introduce to their brews and the outstanding quality that is virtually guaranteed of a Belgian beer. The Belgian people take their beer seriously and therefor will not stand for shoddy practices or poor quality beers.
Last night my good friend Steve of Beerjunto.com invited me over to his palatial mansion to taste several new Belgian beers he had come across. The three brews we tried were all from the Brasserie Caulier a brewery situated less than a half mile from the French border in Péruwelz, Belgium. Named for a nearby town where the first brewery was established in 1980 the three beers tasted were Bon Secours Blonde, Bon Secours Brune, and Bon Secours Ambree.
Brasserie Caulier wanted to follow in the brewing traditions of the Brigittine Monks that first settled in the area and established a brewery in Peruwelz around 1628. Brasserie Caulier tells a story about the first brewmaster of the monastery named Father Baudelot who, after celebrating Mass every Sunday at the Chapelle Notre-Dame-between-wood in the village of Bonsecours, would walk home and pay visits to the local taverns along the way. After long evenings of drinking and socializing with the parishioners, Father Baudelot would require assistance getting back to the Abbey. The good Father’s dog, a statuesque St. Bernard, would guide him safely to his home. In honor of the Father and his faithful companion, all Bon Secours brews feature a St. Bernard on the label.
Brasserie Caulier is a traditional brewery that produces beers using the traditional methods. The brews are unfiltered, unpasteurized, and the secondary fermentation takes place in the unique swing-top bottle the company uses. This second fermentation in the bottle leads to an extremely lively bottle evidenced by the “Biere Vivante!!” tag line on the label, which translate to “living beer.” Indeed, it is a very good idea to have your glass nearby when opening the bottle as the carbonation tends to rush to the top of the bottle as soon as it is opened.
The first of the beers we sampled was the blonde. As mentioned above, when poured into a tulip glass the brew formed a thick, white head of fragrant bubbles releasing aromas of sweet malt, lemony citrus, and the earthy spiciness one expects from a Belgian Strong Ale. The appearance of the beer in the glass is hazy yellow which leans towards the golden side. First sip revealed the sweetness of the malts followed by the brightness of the lemon and finally a pleasant herbal character. This beer paired nicely with the homemade gyros my host served for dinner.
Next we broke open the amber from Brasserie Caulier. As with the blonde, this brew poured into the glass with a tall, rising head of attractive and aromatic foam that was dominated by the smell of dark sugars and caramel and the typical Belgian yeast funk. In the glass the beer is a deep orange color with amber highlights. Immediately upon first sip the sweet, caramel nature of the malts washes over your taste buds. In the finish there is a hint of sourness reminiscent of a Flanders Red.
The third and final beer of the evening was the brune. This brew poured a deep brown with a generous slightly tan head. The aroma is of dark-roasted malts, mocha, and some dark fruits. The first sip revealed the dark malts and mocha hints along with dark brown sugars – perhaps molasses — and raisins. Drank alongside some truly outstanding brownies made with chili spices and vanilla made by Steve’s lovely wife Amber, this beer really stood out.
As Belgian beers continue to gain popularity in the United States, it is always a treat to come across a brew that I have not tried before. As was the case several months ago with Antigoon, the Bon Secours beers are a very pleasant addition to my catalog of tasty Belgian brews. While all three of the Brasserie Caulier brews boast 8% ABV, they are very drinkable and pleasant on the palate. If you are looking for inexpensive as well as tasty Belgian brews these three are well worth your time.
Bon Secours Blonde, Bon Secours Ambree, and Bon Secours Brune are available at Total Wine in the St. John’s Town Center for $2.99 to $5.99.
Until next time,
Long Live the Brewers!
Cheers!
Marc Wisdom
As anyone who has read my past columns knows, I am a Belgian beer freak. I love all the beers of Belgium for their originality, their audacity, their heritage, and most of all, their taste. That is why when a truly original Belgian beer becomes available I am all for opening it and giving it a go. So, on a muggy north Florida evening, while eating some truly amazing smoked pork, Steve Rushe owner of BeerJunto.com and I sat down to drink a few Belgian brews.
At the top of the list, and by far the rarest offering that evening, was Antigoon a rather wonderful Belgian double blond ale brewed by Brouwerij De Musketiers in Ursel, Belgium. This brew was developed specifically for a Belgian restaurant in Washington D.C. called Brasserie Beck as the house beer and became such a hit that the brewers and restaurant owners decided to begin bottling it and distributing it wider than just one restaurant. Lucky for us they did, too!
But, before I get to more beer talk, you may be wondering where the odd-sounding name, Antigoon, came from. The name is a reference to a legend out of Antwerp in Belgium about a terrible giant that lived next the river Scheldt. The giant, Druoon Antigoon, seeing an opportunity to make some change, began requiring all ships traveling the river to pay a fee. If the captain paid the fee, the ship was allowed to pass unscathed. If, however, the captain refused, the giant would hook off his hand and toss it into the river. Some folklore exists that claims this is how the city of Antwerp got its name. The Dutch word for the city is Antwerpen literally translates to “hand throwing” in Old English.
What Antigoon did not count on was a brave Roman soldier named Silvius Brabo coming along, defeating him and throwing his hooked-off hands into the river. The legend is so pervasive that there is a statue of Brabo tossing Antigoon’s severed hand into the river in front of the Antwerp Town Hall.
Enough history, let’s talk about the beer. The first thing you will notice is the handsome bottle this brew comes in. The label is painted on to the bottle and depicts Brabo severing Antigoon’s hand, a bit macabre, but still an impressive label. As is only proper of a fine Belgian beer the bottle is closed with a cork and wire cage.
Serve this beer at about 45 to 50 degrees, in a tulip glass, snifter, or over-sized wine glass so that you are able to capture the aromas of grains, sweet malt, spices, and slight floral. The brew should pour a deep golden color with abundant tiny bubbles and a frothy, generous head. When you sip it you should get the sweet malts and spiciness up front. The two balance each other nicely, neither dominating the other. You should be able to pick up subtle notes of apple as well as the floral, leafy notes hinted at in the nose provided by the hops. The finish presents a lingering bitterness that has been masked up that point by the malt and spices.
In helping develop this beer for Beck’s, Thor Cheston, the restaurant’s beer director was recognized by the beer guild in Brussels, Belgium with a knighthood. Not a small honor, that. So, as you enjoy this intensely sessionable, 6.8 % brew, keep in mind that you are drinking the beer of a knight and show the proper respect. Serve the beer correctly as prescribed above, set out some tangy cheese, drop a plate of wonderfully smoked meat, and enjoy!
Until next time,
Long Live the Brewers!
Cheers!
Marc Wisdom
 Yet another great event taking place for American Craft Beer Week: Intuition Ale Works is holding a beer tasting seminar just in time for the Jacksonville Craft & Import Beer Festival on Thursday, May 19th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. This Beer 101 Seminar is a sit-down beer tasting in honor of American Craft Beer Week! And the really great thing is that the Festival is the very next evening so everything you learn you will be able to immeidately apply.
Brewer and brewery owner Ben Davis will talk about the history of brewing and beer and walk you through flights of four different styles of beer: English, lagers, Belgians, and extreme beers. Light food pairings for each of the flights will provided. If you purchase your tickets this week you can take advantage of an special early bird pricing! Tickets are $15 if purchased this week and $20 after that. Attendance will be capped for this private event so get your tickets while they last. Visit the following link to purchase tickets: http://intuitionalebeer101.eventbrite.com/
Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Intuition Ale Works Tap Room during regular opening hours (Wed-Sat 3pm to 11pm). |
