DM's Boulevard Brewing (et al.) in Belgian stores

Discussion in 'Belgium' started by ManforallSaisons, Oct 8, 2016.

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  1. ManforallSaisons

    ManforallSaisons Pooh-Bah (1,554) Mar 20, 2008 Belgium
    Pooh-Bah

    Who's tried any of the stuff being brought in by Duvel-Moortgat? I almost picked up the Calling IPA from Boulevard, but had a full bag to carry and (more to the point) it was brewed in May, and I wasn't sure if that's considered fresh enough for a good first impression. Thoughts on that?

    And I don't suppose anyone's seeing any Firestone Walker? :slight_smile:
     
  2. slaneja

    slaneja Initiate (0) Mar 26, 2010 Indiana

    I've had The Calling and thought it was very nice. No idea how it compares to the domestic version though. Single Wide IPA was also good.

    I've been seeing a lot more US stuff on some shelves lately from Green Flash (brewed in belgium?), Bells, Weyerbacher, Stillwater. Not sure who is importing them, but the price keeps me away.

    I wish Firestone would start showing up...
     
  3. JeremyDanner

    JeremyDanner Zealot (679) Dec 20, 2005 Missouri

    The bottles of The Calling and Single-Wide IPA were brewed in Kansas City so there's no difference between the beer sold here in the states and the bottles you're seeing.
     
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  4. ManforallSaisons

    ManforallSaisons Pooh-Bah (1,554) Mar 20, 2008 Belgium
    Pooh-Bah

    Read the fine print on the Green Flash -- probably brewed at St. Feuillien. That's by contract from GF.

    On what shelves are you seeing the likes of Bells etc.?
     
  5. ManforallSaisons

    ManforallSaisons Pooh-Bah (1,554) Mar 20, 2008 Belgium
    Pooh-Bah

    Would 4-5 months old be considered a good example?
     
  6. slaneja

    slaneja Initiate (0) Mar 26, 2010 Indiana

    QV.ID in Huldenberg has some various US imports along with other good stuff from UK, Spain, Netherlands, etc.

    And thanks for the information TheJermis.
     
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  7. Maakun

    Maakun Initiate (0) Oct 12, 2012 Netherlands
    Trader

    Firestone Walker was everywhere in The Netherlands a few months ago...
     
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  8. JeremyDanner

    JeremyDanner Zealot (679) Dec 20, 2005 Missouri

    That's still within our shelf life for those beers. We bottle condition our beers (with the exception of lagers).
     
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  9. ManforallSaisons

    ManforallSaisons Pooh-Bah (1,554) Mar 20, 2008 Belgium
    Pooh-Bah

    alright, then I'll make it my next order of business (in the grocery beer department)
     
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  10. ventura78

    ventura78 Pundit (972) Nov 22, 2003 Massachusetts

    Don't forget to try the Tank 7 if it's offered
     
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  11. JeremyDanner

    JeremyDanner Zealot (679) Dec 20, 2005 Missouri

    Please do. Definitely let me know what you think, either here or via DM.
     
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  12. Euroglot

    Euroglot Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2015 Belgium
    Trader

    Bought all three (The Calling, Single-Wide IPA (keg and bottled) and Tank 7) over the last 6 months. I really liked The Calling and Single-Wide IPA. I recommend them to all of my friends (all three of my friends ;-)).
    To be honest, I wasn't a big fan of the Tank 7 though. It wasn't a bad beer, but nothing special imho.
     
  13. PDawson

    PDawson Initiate (0) Mar 27, 2013 Colorado
    Trader

    While it's in the window, I'd say the beer will certainly be different than a "fresh" (less than a month old bottle) that wasn't subjected to the temperature extremes of a transatlantic voyage. When I lived in the States I had the luxury of choosing to never buy an IPA older than a month or so, but now living in Europe I'm thrilled when I can find an American IPA with less than 4 months on it. My experience has been that the beer is typically only a shadow of it's former self. I can't speak specifically to Boulevard as I've never seen it available in Italy, but I'd guess they're the same as the Stone, Sierra Nevada, Founders, Brooklyn, etc beers I've had here. IMO, it's just a reality of the fragility of IPAs and transcontinental transportation logistics.

    With that in mind, I wouldn't say don't drink/buy them, but I would also withhold judgement/expecations. And look for beers that didn't make the voyage over during the summer.
     
  14. JeremyDanner

    JeremyDanner Zealot (679) Dec 20, 2005 Missouri

    All of our beer that leaves the US is shipped in temperature controlled cargo containers. We go so far as to ship temp monitors with the beer.

    I can't/won't argue against the notion that fresh beer is best.
     
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  15. PDawson

    PDawson Initiate (0) Mar 27, 2013 Colorado
    Trader

    Seriously!?!? That's awesome. I had no idea. Do you know if this is exception or the norm for American craft brewers?
     
  16. JeremyDanner

    JeremyDanner Zealot (679) Dec 20, 2005 Missouri

    Seriously.

    Sorry, I can't speak to what other brewers are doing.
     
  17. ManforallSaisons

    ManforallSaisons Pooh-Bah (1,554) Mar 20, 2008 Belgium
    Pooh-Bah

    I restricted myself to the Calling, brew date of May on the bottle, and it was delicious. I'll hit it again and branch out to the others but I have a considerable backlog to taste my way through, the cellar is a bit out of hand.
     
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