Brasserie Dubuisson

BA needs to update its listing for Dubuisson as it has greatly expanded its facilities. (I'll suggest an update in a few days after I recover from the tour I was on.) Dubuisson (French for Bush) now has an estate, reminiscent of vineyards, outside of Pipaix. We ate a large (easily 100+ seats) and modern restaurant, Trolls & Bush, with an outdoor patio overlooking a pond. (On the first day of Spring with the sun out, please excuse my exuberance.) Also, there is a mansion that houses Dubusisson's BeerMuseum ([email protected]), events spaces, seminar rooms and store/bottle shop. (The bright shiny tanks and barrel-aging are in their same place. I don't know if the cafe pictured below is still open as it is in the town. It seems to have been replaced by Trolls& Bush in at least four other sites.)

As the one of the largest Belgian Family Brewers, Dubuisson has arrived at an elevated spot. It gave me a very good Vibe to know that beer can compete with vineyard estates. With lunch of a delicate goat cheese salad, I had a flight (or tasting paddle) of four brews called La Winter... also known to Bush as Les Rafales. Two were new to me, Ambrasse-Temps and Temps des Brunes, both darker and seem to be brewed to go with the food. And two pales already known to me, Peche Mel (peach) and Bush Caractere' (their flagship, Scaldis in the U.S.)

Like many members of the BFBA (who must be at least 50 years old and two generations brewing), Dubuisson/Bush has a storied past. However few of the BFBA market as well as Bush. Their mansion, menu and manners prove their marketing moxie. Overall, the new Dubuisson is a must-see if you are near Pipaix.

wow!