Hi, A small historic message this time. On our last visit to Ghent based beer pub De Hopduvel, we noticed some freshly installed antique breweriana hanging on the wall inside the second room.
On top of those wonderful antique enameled commercial beer plates, we observe these days a small wooden crate. In fact, two of them are exposed. I took a picture of the most right located one.
Zoomed in we see that this is a very old wooden 6-pack from an old Bruges' brewery, called bry. Vanderghote. The 6-pack containing six 75cl. old swingtop bottles.
This is quite some great historic evidence of defunct Bruges' brewery Vanderghote aka brewery "'t Zweerd" (translated, zweerd means sword, their emblem in those days).
The actual brewing stopped in 1965, and till 1972, the building was used as a depot place only ! In 1972, the final bankruptcy was declared. A catastrophe really.
Googling gave this nice Bry. Vanderghote glass, showing the sword, and the date 1807, the year that family Vanderghote took over the brewery. In fact, this brewery already exists from the year 1563 !
More Googling shows the old brewery, which was located at the Zwarte Leertouwers street 49, close to the Astrid park. During 1982, the brewery has been restorated, and build into a housing complex.
Two questions left: What did they brew ? How did the beers taste ? Consulting the ever marvelous Guilde des Tâte-bière "Belgische Bieren en Brouwerijen", we can safely conclude they made about 10 different beers. Note that this enchiridion of Belgian beer brewing history is the marvelous job of deceased Loek Klasen. A truely marvelous, exceptional, most appreciated job. We will miss Loek for ever..... The 't Zweerd beers were: Bruin, Double Blonde de Bruges, Dubbel wit, Extra Bruin, Luxe Tafelbier, Speciaal Gersten, Stout, Tafelbier, Tripel, Tripel Ouden Brugschen, and a special Christmas beer ! Jeez..... I would die to have some taste, but unfortunately this will always be an utopia. Still, reading Jan De Bruyne's page about brewery 't Zweerd, the "Den Ouden Brugschen" was a kind of Old Brown type of beer with lactic acid sourness, a Rodenbach type of beer. This beer was introduced by Hubert Vanderghote, the grown up son, and this at a time when things didn't work that well at the brewery, i.e. financial problems. It's quite intriguing to notice that an Oud Bruin was called Tripel in those days ! Again a confirmation that the style Tripel doesn't mean anything.
Anyway, this small breweriana, hanging at De Hopduvel beer bar in Ghent, has made me looking up things. Folks, this is the magic of beer pub visiting........
Brugge Tripel 8.7 vol% @ 't Brugs Beertje - Bruges
Written by Administrator
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
Hi, Today, it is exactly the 25th. anniversary of Bruges' beer pub 't Brugs Beertje! "Brugge's Little Bear" opened on Friday, May 13, 1983, and your webmaster was - at that time - already a satisfied customer. My upper congratulations towards Daisy Claeys, and the whole crew. For that occasion, a special attention towards a Bruges' beer, called Brugge Tripel has been published here, and was tasted last Sunday at that famous local Bruges' beer pub. This time, not a beer from local Bruges' breweries De Regenboog or De Halve Maan, the only real Bruges' breweries left, but brewed at Steenhuffel based Palm Breweries.
These days, Brugge Tripel is brewed by Palm Breweries at Steenhuffel. Note that Brugge Tripel is once brewed by local Bruges' brewery De Gouden Boom, which was owned for 46.5% by Duvel Moortgat around 2000, and the other part by family Vanneste with Paul Vanneste as head brewer. The beer was named Brugse Tripel in those days. It is on 18 december 2001 that Duvel Moortgat sold all their Gouden Boom shares to Palm Breweries. The reasons were the negative results of De Gouden Boom, negatively affecting the results of Duvel Moortgat. In 2002 , due to retirement, Paul Vanneste (62) sold all his remaining shares to Palm Breweries. Before the complete overtake by Palm Breweries, all beers were still brewed inside Bruges at De Gouden Boom brewery, resulting in a hazy, amber colored, 9.0 vol% tripel, with a lot of caramel burnt malty flavors. Palm Breweries changed the recipe into a more blond, and filtered beer. They dropped the alcohol contents towards 8.2 vol%. But see, about two years ago, the alcohol contents was raised towards 8.7 vol%, and still is that figure today. A couple of years ago, Palm Breweries decided to rename the beer from Brugse Tripel into Brugge Tripel, and in the mean time changed the label colors from light blue into much darker blue, with a shiny gloss.The reason for the name change was that the word Brugge is much better recognized by foreign, non Dutch speaking people, and is referring much easier towards the touristic city of Brugge. I personally think that this was a great decision.
Palm Breweries has pleasantly tweaked the beer into a wonderful vivid beer. Indeed, it's been filtered, but then again, gives a great looking crystal clear beer. On the other hand, when pouring out completely, the small yeast sediment will be poured too, and makes the beer hazy. Anyway, great looking amber golden blond beer. Looks fantastic. The movie I took (see here above) at 't Brugs Beertje shows the lively carbonation inside the Brugge Tripel. That is why pouring has to be done carefully. A big white, and long lasting head is the beautiful result, and fits perfect inside the tall, big Brugge Tripel tasting glass. Here's another Brugge Tripel movie from YouTube (French language):
The tall Brugge Tripel glass is a true beauty, and very original too. The shape is still exactly the same as the ever first Brugse Tripel glasses. What changed are the word Brugse, becoming Brugge, and the golden shiny letterings and image. Makes it look that much luxury. Brugge Tripel is without any doubts one of the better beers from Palm Breweries. It's still a fantastic quality beer with a lot of taste pallets going on. The carbonation makes it quite dangerously drinkable. Palm yeasty, and above all very malty. A maltiness that is quite sweet, not that caramelly as it used to be. Brugge Tripel is a beer to savor with care and absolute no haste. Dense, rich, hoppy and alcoholic warming.
A big toast towards Brugs Beertje's 25th. anniversary !! Up for another 25 years of excellent beer tasting...
Hi, Trappistbeer Westvleteren is momentary still nunmer one on Ratebeer's top-50 best beers worldwide. Can we say that this beer is the best beer in the world ? Some people will state that there is no such thing as "best beer in the world", still this beer has been rated by 1246 people, and this with some stunning high scores to become a fixed number one place inside Ratebeer's top-50. At least a remarkable fact, which has made some big media attention on television, radio and newspapers. The result was a hype, and the waiting row at the abbey, to order some crates, became way too long. The demand exploded ! This, all due to Ratebeer's top-50 ! Luckily, the monks have invented the beer phone, and this actually did stop the long waiting rows. Good for the local people, maybe less good for the foreign beer lovers.
Therefore we should first visit café "In de Vrede", opposite the abbey of Saint-Sixtus. Note that the brewery is located inside the walls of the abbey. Trappist Westvleteren is still brewed by the monks giving three kinds of beer. The Blond at 5.8 vol%, the Extra at 8.0 vol%, and finally the "best beer in the world", called Westvleteren Abt 12 at 10.2 vol%. Those Trappist beers are only available at the abbey, and at café "In de Vrede". All other options are "unwanted" by the producers of this beers, the Cisterzian monks at Saint-Sixtus abbey. Their wish not to re-sell is clearly written on the bill, when picking up the crates. Be aware that before picking up the crates of Westvleteren, one has to make a reservation through phone number (+32)70/21.00.45, mentioning your car's numberplate. A maximum of two crates (blond-Abt), and three crates (Extra) can be obtained. No wonder that this beer is one of the most difficult to find treasures. People do everything to get hold of one bottle of Trappist Westvleteren 12. Stunning high prices at eBay are only one example. Shops offering this beer are prepared to ask huge amounts of money for one consumption. It is just that which frightens the monks, hence the note on the bill not to re-sell. Of course, this note is neglected far too much. Westvleteren 12 has become a huge black market ! Pity !
Ok, let's order two Westvleteren 12 at € 4.00 each. This beer is very dark, and has some yeast inside due to bottle refermentation. When nosing and tasting, you will not notice extreme flavors, although this beer is amazing hidden hop-bitter. Hidden, because the candy sugar sweetness masks the hop bitterness quite well. It is the aftertaste that betrays that this malty beer reaches more than 60 IBU. Local hops from Poperinge are responsible for this delicious hoppy lingering. Note that this beer is more hop bitter than Trappist Orval! Apart from that, not that much is going on really. I taste malts, candy sugar, hops, and above all the typical Westmalle yeast. Yes, Westmalle yeast, because the original yeast of Westvleteren hasn't been used for ages. All yeast is imported from Westmalle and worked up for some time till fresh yeast is once again imported from Westmalle. Great about Westvleteren 12 is the fact that only natural and fresh local products are used. Makes the beer so light digestible, and for some reasons completely hang-over friendly. Strange to say but Westvleteren beers are not very complex beers, although it is a century long tweaking into PERFECTION. A perfection which implies PERFECT SIMPLICITY ! Malts, hops, candy sugar, yeast and water. A heavenly mixture of ingredients, perfectly dosed and perfectly brewed into amazing perfection !!
It's clear, simplicity can do wonders ! And isn't this the way the monks are living too? Going to café "In de Vrede" is also going for simplicity. But a simplicity that exceeds all luxury with great ease ! I think that this is the real success of Trappist Westvleteren ! Humbleness, modesty, humility are the keywords here. The quality of being unpretentious makes - as so - the quality of the beers to reach heavenly heights !
Bierbrasserie Cambrinus - A Great "Beer Promoting" Bar @ Bruges
Written by Administrator
Friday, 09 May 2008
Hi, Time to put some positive attention towards Bruges' Bierbrasserie Cambrinus. A bar that is improving day by day. A beer bar that, in the beginning of its existence some years ago, was shameless abused by some Englishmen to be a bad quality bar, giving low quality service. At some point, there was even a piteous Londoner claiming at first that this establishment was his most beery disappointment of the year. My advice would then be: Stay in London ! It's probably much better over there :) Still, I'm asking myself how people can act so silly, be so conceited, about Belgian Beer ??? Anyway, this message wants to counter fact, and give some positive, justified attention towards this fantastic Bruges' beer bar.
First, this bar has become my favorite bar of Bruges today ! Visiting Cambrinus is going for a 400+ well chosen beers choice. Great and friendly service. Please, don't believe anything when people claim that they actually do have about 250 in place of 400+. I seldom experienced that a beer was not on the menu. Apart from this huge beer choice, a most delicious cuisine is offered, including a tasty beer cuisine menu. This is unique in whole Bruges. Apart from those agreeable facts, we notice that the prices are amazing democratic (cheap), knowing the 'touristic' environment where Cambrinus is located in. Much appreciated. But.... the real proof of Cambrinus' success is the fact that every evening the place is always full crowded. Reserving a table is what I would advice these days. Needless to say that all previous negativisms can - as so - be dumped vertically.
The building itself is a great example of Bruges' historic architecture. The typical 16th. century stair-shaped facade is a beauty. The woody interior has been installed by the same people of beer bar Bottletje (Ostend), and exhales a most cozy English alike atmosphere.
The beer menu is a true example of how a beer menu should be: HUGE ! Very well made by Regnier De Muynck, who must have put a lot of time and work into finishing it.
More than 400 beers are mentioned, and effectively available, including Trappist Westvleteren ! Every beer style gets its own color. Folks, this is pleasant - extensive - choosing.
A choosing that gave a golden ale Satan Gold @ 8.0 vol% as delicious result. Satan Gold is one of Belgium's most underestimated beers. You don't see much reviews or mentions of this golden colored beer. Neverthess, an excellent Belgian Beer. Brewed at Peizegem based bry. De Blockwith only the best natural products. Satan Gold is a golden ale, and very similar to Duvel. Great appearance, nice looking Devilish label, beautiful light accompanying tall glasses. A great tasting beer, I would full heartily recommend to try at Cambrinus.
Our second beer was a free one ! Free? Yes, because when being member of the local Bruges' beer organization Bruges Autonomous Beer Tasters, one gets a free second consumption when showing the Beer of the MonthCard, a great initiative of BAB. (see also...) The two pictures here above do show the free Piraat @ 10.5 vol% (beer of the month April). The Beer of the Month BAB card can be seen here in front.
Bierbrasserie Cambrinus does everything to promote Belgian Beer ! Partcipating the Beer of the Month initiative from BAB, and being member of Bob Hendrickx' 210 Originele Cafes in Oost-Vlaanderen en West-Vlaanderen (see also...) are already two examples. It's clear that beer bars that actually do promote Belgian Beer get their promotion back here on the Belgian Beer Board.
Katrien and myself went for the ever famous Cambrinus Spaghetti, and Cambrinus style Lasagna. Authentic Italian versions fading compared to this Cambrinus excellent quality !
People, I can heartily recommend to visit Bierbrasserie Cambrinus when hitting touristic Bruges. You won't be disappointed...... but be aware, reserving your place is not a superfluous action !
The new Bob Hendrickx "210 Original Cafes in East-Flanders & West-Flanders" has just been published, and is available at all participating establishments, already bought by the BBB webmaster. 210 original pubs are mentioned, and visiting each of them gives (nearly always) a second free consumption. Website: www.bloggen.be/originelecafes Newsgroup Originele Cafes (Dutch, but English isn't forbidden): http://groups.google.nl/group/originele-cafes-in-vlaanderen
210 Originele Café's in Oost-Vlaanderen en West-Vlaanderen - Bob Hendrickx
This great book is a handy guide, and really shows the most interesting, original pubs/taverns of both provinces. Interesting is the mentioning of the amount of available beers, and I must admit that this was my first occupation when browsing through the book. I can already reveal that a lot of new www.beerpubmap.be places are inside. More than 60 beers is a sure beer pub map entry, but there's also those exceptions to the rule, like this location here.
85 different beers. That's what the Bob Hendrickx book is saying. The small village of Leisele is located just next to the border of France, in the far west corner of Belgium, not far from Westvleteren. A typical Flemish rural village with the big church right in the middle, surrounded by some cosy taverns - cafes. One of the taverns is Gasthof 't Voshol (Guest Hof Voshol). Great sunny springtime weather. A small terrace outside, unfortunately already occupied with a bunch of cycling tourists. One solution left: Going inside. The inside of Gasthof 't Voshol is a great experience. Old rustic interior, small tables, old ancient farmers equipments on the wall and ceiling. Also a lot of foxes can be seen, hence the name Voshol (Fox hole). Ok, let's inspect the beer menu.....
45 beers were counted !! But..... Bob Hendrickx clearly mentions 85 ?? On the other hand, when inspecting the beer choice, I was very well surprised. This is a n extreme well chosen list, containing the best of what Belgium has to offer concerning Belgian quality beers. NO InBev !!!! Only the smaller artisanal breweries are focused on. My appreciation for that. We ordered a draught Sint-Bernardus 8° Prior (which was FREE), and an amazing draught Buffalo Belgian Stout at 9 vol%. This time not from 75cl. bottle, but indeed from draught. A unique experience. Both beers were presented with tasty olives. I asked the owner Marc Dedeckere about the discrepancy beer count Bob Hendrickx Book and actual beer menu. The answer was straightforward, the beers will raise to 85 when summer arrives !!! Looks promising.
Marc Dedeckere pouring something special here !!!!!!
A "Stoefer" (a swank-pot) at € 8.00. Contains four kinds of alcohol ! Beer and Cointreau are sure ingredients. The other two are secret. I'm pretty sure that the local Picon is also used here :) Anyway, a great drink, and the beer that was poured was draught Sint-Bernardus 8° Prior. Poured when the alcohol was flamed ! Makes the liquid lukewarm and most delicious.
Katrien, my wife enjoying this treat. Please, don't fantasize here, we both managed the glass. Anyway, another example of a successful beer cocktail - See also... An absolute recommendation when visiting Gasthof 't Voshol. Time to move to another Leisele address. This time, not a Bob Hendrickx entry, but a mouth-to-mouth recommendation done some while ago already. Easy to find. Just the other side of the church, steps away from Gasthof 't Voshol.
Herberg "De Vette Os" (Tavern The Fat Ox) - Leisele Dorp 8 - 8691 Leisele (Alveringem)
Speciality of the house: Picon ! This time amazing democratic priced: € 2.00 ! I went for a Sint-Bernardus Abt 12 at 10.5 vol%, and only had to pay € 2.30 ! Yes, these are really prehistoric prices. Herberg De Vette Os is a local cafe offering a 15 beers only, including their speciality, Picon. This cafe is very old. You can see this when observing the bar, floor, tables & chairs, wall and ceiling. I'm sure that 40 years ago, the place must've been exactly the same. A great experience.
Sint-Bernardus Abt 12
One of the highlights that sunny Sunday afternoon at Leisele, Sint-Bernardus Abt 12. People, this is a great beer, easily categorized within the masterpieces of Belgian brewing craftsmanship. The only beer that still uses the original Westvleteren yeast !!!! A Westvleteren yeast that has been evolved into a miraculous ester producing strain, giving those magnificent banana flavors, so typical for all Sint-Bernardus beers. Apart from those flowery - fruity accents, I experienced a very dense, warming alcoholic beer, with a most delicious creamy mouthfeeling. Very malty, candy sugar sweet, and perfectly Poperinge hopped. A beer to drink with care and respect.
Ofcourse, when the time is right, the beer finally flows into the drain. Sadly, its final destination: The toilet. In case of De Vette Os, all you have to do is walking straight ahead !
Hi, A remarkable move has been noticed lately at Palm Breweries. Abbey beer Steenbrugge has been given a new elan ! New labels, new emblem, new glasses, enlargement beer range, a complete revive of this beer.
The new Steenbrugge emblem, featuring Sint-Arnoldus (Saint-Arnold). Abbey beer Steenbrugge is an inheritance of Patron Saint of Belgian brewers Arnoldus van Tiegem.
Anno 1898, alongside a sunny lane, when traveling towards the abbey, Abt Amandus Mertens was in deep thoughts to brew his own beer at the Sint-Pieters abbey, and this as a remembrance towards his far founder, knight-abt Sint-Arnoldus, patron saint of the brewers.
It is in 1084 that Arnoldus van Tiegem raised the Sint-Pieters abbey near Bruges (West-Flanders). The legend says that Arnoldus was brewing beer during the hard works, and this to heal the sick construction workers. Not only his beer was praised, but also Sint-Arnoldus himself, which gave the result hat he was proclaimedPatron Saint of the Belgian brewers.
During the first world war, there was a interruption in brewing, but soon after WWI the local people supplicated the monks to re-brew the much demanded beer, which indeed did happen.
Starting from 1972, it was bry. Costenoble at Esen (nowadays being bry. De Dolle Bouwers) that brewed the Steenbrugge beers.
Afterwards, starting from 1980, Bruges' brewery 't Hamerken (later becoming bry. De Gouden Boom) took over the brewing.
In 2003, Palm Breweries took over brewery De Gouden Boom, and nowadays all Steenbrugge beers are brewed by them.
The last time I mentioned this beer was inside article: http://belgianbeerboard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=163&Itemid=88888994 But I wasn't too happy with it. Lately, the Steenbrugge beers became hard to find at beer shops and bars, and the quality of the two beers (tripel and dark), if you finally were able to found, didn't impress me that much anymore. In fact, it seemed that the two beers were doomed to be discontinued. But see, at Palm Breweries, they must have changed their minds, because the brand name Steenbrugge has been revived, and this with a most impressive marketing move.
During an open door day at my local beer warehouse Drankenservice Traen at Sijsele (part of Prik&Tik), a commercial initiative was done to promote the new Steenbrugge range. 4 beers were introduced: Steenbrugge Dubbel Bruin (6.5 vol%), Steenbrugge Blond (6.5 vol%), Steenbrugge Tripel (8.7 vol%), and Steenbrugge Wit - Blanche (5.0 vol%). Available from tap and bottle.
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