ClarenceBoddicker
Well-Known Member
This is the biggie. Huge celebration of Belgian Beer this weekend and I'm planning my day out tomorrow. Me and MrsBoddicker getting the bus there - free bus running every 15 minutes from Leuven station direct to the hall where it is held.
This will be our 3rd year at the festival and it is a great event. In fact, if you love beer and are planning a trip to Belgium, this is the weekend to do it.
Free entry, you hire or buy a 15cl glass for 3 Euro and then buy tokens for 1,40 each which equate to a glassful of any of the few hundred beers available, from a 1.8% table beer to a 26% Russian Imperial Stout, and every ABV and style in between. There's basic food and a tombola style thing where you are likely to win at least something.
The hardest thing is choosing what to drink. If you go there with no idea you could end up bewildered by the amount on offer and leave disappointed at the quality you've tasted. I have (sadly) compared the list to the 'Good Beer Guide Belgium' 2014 Edition and used some of my own experience of Belgian breweries, and I'm narrowing it down to these:
La Mere Vertus 9% Strong Blonde
La Vermontaise 6% Saison
Saison Dupont Cuvee Dry Hopping 2013 6.5%
Extase Double IPA 8.5%
Cuvee Mam'zelle 8.5% Strong Blonde
Hop Harvest 2012 6% Amber
Gouden Arend 125 9% Strong Blonde
Philly Honey Triple 8.5% Strong Blonde
Chateau d'Ychouffe 9% Special Beer
Hommelbier Fresh Harvest 2012 7.5% Strong Blonde
Barrel Aged Grappa Donker 12% Dark Barley Wine :drunk:
Piraat Triple Hop 10.5% Blonde Barley Wine
Elliot 9% IPA
Hop-Ruiter 8% Strong Blonde
Prearis Quadrupel Coffee Infused 10% Dark Barley Wine
I picked a good few other lower strength Saisons and IPAs for the Mrs or for me to separate the stronger ones. Will see how it goes but this is one day I'm really looking forward to.
http://www.zbf.be/index.php?lang=UK&page=1
This will be our 3rd year at the festival and it is a great event. In fact, if you love beer and are planning a trip to Belgium, this is the weekend to do it.
Free entry, you hire or buy a 15cl glass for 3 Euro and then buy tokens for 1,40 each which equate to a glassful of any of the few hundred beers available, from a 1.8% table beer to a 26% Russian Imperial Stout, and every ABV and style in between. There's basic food and a tombola style thing where you are likely to win at least something.
The hardest thing is choosing what to drink. If you go there with no idea you could end up bewildered by the amount on offer and leave disappointed at the quality you've tasted. I have (sadly) compared the list to the 'Good Beer Guide Belgium' 2014 Edition and used some of my own experience of Belgian breweries, and I'm narrowing it down to these:
La Mere Vertus 9% Strong Blonde
La Vermontaise 6% Saison
Saison Dupont Cuvee Dry Hopping 2013 6.5%
Extase Double IPA 8.5%
Cuvee Mam'zelle 8.5% Strong Blonde
Hop Harvest 2012 6% Amber
Gouden Arend 125 9% Strong Blonde
Philly Honey Triple 8.5% Strong Blonde
Chateau d'Ychouffe 9% Special Beer
Hommelbier Fresh Harvest 2012 7.5% Strong Blonde
Barrel Aged Grappa Donker 12% Dark Barley Wine :drunk:
Piraat Triple Hop 10.5% Blonde Barley Wine
Elliot 9% IPA
Hop-Ruiter 8% Strong Blonde
Prearis Quadrupel Coffee Infused 10% Dark Barley Wine
I picked a good few other lower strength Saisons and IPAs for the Mrs or for me to separate the stronger ones. Will see how it goes but this is one day I'm really looking forward to.
http://www.zbf.be/index.php?lang=UK&page=1
