As many of you already know, there are many environmental factors that can affect flavor in a wine or beer. Things such as soil, wind, rain, and sunlight all have impact on the flavors of ingredients, and in the final taste of the beverage. In America we use the rather unsexy term “microclimate” to describe these factors. The French have a significantly more sexy term for it: “Terroir”. Terroir literally means “of the Earth”, but has a broader meaning of that flavor of the environment in what you are drinking (or eating for that matter). New Belgium Brewing has adopted the term as a moniker for its dry-hopped, barrel-aged ale. more ›

I love sour beers. I particularly love the style know as Flemish Red Ale. For some of you, the idea of an acidic or “sour” beer is something entirely new. Some people, like me, regard it as an old favorite. more ›

A tasty recipe from Seattlest's certified Cicerone--beware, it stings. more ›

August 8, New Belgium Brewing's Tour de Fat rolls through Seattle with a stop at Gasworks Park. The tour celebrates "all things bicycle," and one of its annual traditions is that someone will actually sign over their car at the event as a sign of his or her commitment to commute by bicycle. In exchange, this year the car-less bicyclist will receive a custom-made bike from Black Sheep Bikes. So here's your chance--the tour still needs a Seattle participant! To enter, visit their Facebook page and submit an essay or video explaining your desire to be car free. Time's running out, so jump on it ASAP. more ›

The Tour de Fat bicycle festival, sponsored by New Belgium Brewery, took place at Gasworks Park today. Naturally we bicycled over to see what it was all about. On the way, two guys in a pickup pulled up next to us and rolled down the window. Uh oh, we thought. "Hey, nice bike!" they yelled. "And nice shirt!" (We were wearing the cream of our Hawaiian shirt collection.) They gave us a thumbs up. Then they roared off again. Tour de Fat was kinda like that. more ›

In the wake of a brutal tussle between car and bicycle last weekend, it's good that New Belgium Brewing's Tour de Fat, the "traveling celebration of all things bicycle," arrives in town on Saturday, opposite the carbon-spewing, combustion engine worship-fest that is Seafair, what with the supersonic jets and souped-up motorboats. more ›

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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...) more ›

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Sunday afternoon turned out to be a terrific time to hit the Fremont Oktoberfest: at one o' clock it was still gray and cloudy and the crowds hadn't arrived. For $5 extra, we ended up with a total of eight tokens, good for eight 5-oz. pours. more ›

Well, sorry we couldn't let you know earlier. But, Seattlest had the pleasure of attending another incredible beer dinner this weekend. This one took place at The Collins Pub in downtown seattle and featured the impressive beers of New Belgium Brewing from Colorado; presented by the big brew man himself, head brewer Peter Bouckaert and company. more ›

October is here! That means candy apples, inappropriate costumes, and tons of live music. more ›