January 31, 2008
American Belgian Fest at Collins Pub
When it comes to good beer, brews made in Belgium are usually the cream of the crop. So, no one should be surprised that American brewers often try to emulate their success by brewing their own versions of Belgian styles. And you know what? Some of them are fantastic (And some, not so much...)
Starting this Friday at The Collins Pub, they'll be rotating about 15 taps of Belgian-style goodness brewed right here in the good old USA (the exception is Unibroue from Canada), plus there will be a few choice bottles to choose from. All of these beers likely won't be on tap right away, but we would guess that they will rotate in as space becomes available.
On Draft:
Allagash Cureaux
Allagash Wit
Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence
Ommegang Wit
Avery Reverend Quad
New Belgium Eric's Ale
New Belgium Le Terroir
Water Street Big Phat Morning Wood
North Coast La Merle
North Coast Thelonious
Russian River/Avery Collaboration Not Litigation
Unibroue Trois Pistoles
Lazy Boy Belgian Strong
Stix Belgian Strong
Rogue Menage a Frog Trippel
From the bottle:
Jolly Pumpkin Oro de Calabaza
Bison Saison
Lost Abbey Avante Garde
While it might not qualify as Belgian style, the Water Street Morning Wood promises to be interesting. It is a blend of their Barleywine, Winter Ale and Big Phatty Imperial Red that is then aged in Cab barrels for ten months. The Allagash White is a very well made, traditional Belgian-style wheat beer. If you like Hoegaarden, you'll like this.
In addition, new chef Erik Wood will have some contemporary interpretations of classic Belgian cuisine:
Mussels w/ Ommegang Witte, garlic, butter and Herbs de Provance
Mussels w/ Cream, shallots and Pernod
White Asparagus with Horseradish & Cucumber Hollandaise and Lamb Proscutto
Chicken and Lobster Cream Waterzooi
Flemish Beef Stew
Belgian Style Corn Waffles with Honey Butter, Goat Cheese Whip Cream and Bacon Syrup
White and Dark Chocolate Mousse Yin & Yang
Bacon syrup? Bring it on.
There is no price for admission.
$4 per generous taster, or 3 for $10
Starts on Friday and runs until all the beer is gone...likely sometime next week.
Image thanks to Flickr user maubrowncow.
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10 bucks for 3 of these beers is a good deal. The Water Street was a strange beer but I liked it. Don't remember much after that.
Seriously. $10 for 3 is awesome. Especially being able to get the bottled beers as one of your tastes. I loved the Jolly Pumpkin, the Lazy Boy and the La Merle.