The most popular BeerAdvocate stories in 2018 covered a fairly wide range of topics, from the polarizing subject of kids in brewery taprooms, to the best beer pairings for Nashville hot chicken, and a deconstruction of common myths about lager.
With patience and hard work, the traditional Kriek may no longer be a thing of the past as Belgian brewers partner with farmers to revive growth of the Schaerbeek cherry in Brussels.
Without Belgian beer and its influence, many brewers wouldn’t have been inspired to brew the so-called farmhouse, funky, sour, and strong beers that we enjoy today.
In a region of Belgium best known for orchards and vineyards, 32-year-old Raf Souvereyns is reviving Lambic production with his small blending operation Bokkereyder. Connoisseurs worldwide are taking notice.
Learn the origin stories of the 11 current Trappist breweries, as told by the monks themselves, and go back in time with “Dr. Pat” to unearth and recreate eight ancient ale recipes.
With a focus on experimentation and, especially, hops, a new generation of Belgian brewers takes its inspiration not from its Trappist or Lambic-producing forefathers, but from brewers in the US and the UK.
In bringing attention to little-known brewers from across the globe and reigniting passion for nearly forgotten styles like Gose and Lambic, the three Shelton brothers also established a company that changed the face of beer and brewing—but not without controversy.
The Belgian capital’s beer scene has grown dynamically in recent years, with young gun brewers turning out world-class brews in contemporary styles. The city’s pub offerings have been updated as well, with historic (and touristy) beer halls supplemented by more modern examples.
Session beers aren’t limited to British styles—Grisette, the lesser-brewed cousin of Belgian Saison, is a refreshing thirst quencher at just 4 percent ABV.
Bierschnaps originated in Bavaria, where brewers with on-site stills often create a house spirit from leftover beer. Recently, more breweries outside of Germany are experimenting with the beery spirit.
In a round-up of beer news, Belgian beer is recognized as cultural heritage; White Labs Asheville begins production, New Holland brews lager with heirloom barley; and 2016 is a record year for US hop growers.
Scientists publish family tree of brewers’ yeast; Nebraska banishes homebrew from beer festivals; London borough gives pubs legal protection; and Maryland breweries collaborate on beer benefiting flood victims.
Local isn’t everything. Get to know the wider world of beer by creating (and completing) a list of achievable day trips and more involved foreign adventures.
Brouwerij Rodenbach brewmaster Rudi Ghequire talks about the beverages that inspired a new beer designed to be paired with food: a Flanders Red aged for an additional six months on cherries, raspberries and cranberries.
Continuing a thematic journey of perfect fried bar snacks from around the world, this recipe features a Belgian-style croquette. Here we use a different technique to create the filling and coating for the final croquette.
Peters has made sure we can experience authentic Belgian beer culture at his bar, Monk’s Café in Philadelphia. His employee education program, Monk’s-exclusive beers, and commitment to excellence have won him a semifinalist slot for a 2015 James Beard award.
Belgium was wrecked after WWI. It was enough to drive citizens to drink, but in 1919 the Belgian government passed the Vandervelde Act banning the sale of distilled spirits.
A fire at Hof ten Dormaal brewery in Tildonk, Belgium, destroyed the company’s warming chamber, bottling line and product stock. No one was injured, but the damages halted operations at the farmhouse brewery, which the Janssens family has run since founding it in 2009.
Bruges’ De Halve Maan brewery will soon build an underground pipeline to move beer. Once operational, the pipeline will transport over 4 million liters (roughly 34,000 barrels) of beer per year to a nearby bottling plant.
I was a little surprised to see that the Brewers Association had added Dutch Kuit to their style guidelines. It’s a pretty obscure style, even in Holland.
Reporter Cecilia Rodriguez wrote in a Forbes.com article that in order to hold a Trappist label, a beer must be brewed under the supervision of monks. With the number of monks at Orval down to 12, she claims the abbey is jeopardizing its Trappist designation. Orval’s François de Harenne offers his response.
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