Category: beerblog

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Beer judging in Mainz

This week I was part of the all female judging team of Women’s International Trophy in Mainz. We had two tasting flights of more than 20 beers each. Hard work, but a good experience for sure.

I went together with two of my esteemed colleagues from Brussels, we all do brewery tours at Brasserie de la Senne, and we got to meet a lot of other female beer professionals.

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Beer tasting workshop

This weekend we did a beer tasting workshop. With a lovely small group we tasted beers blindly, judged them and were completely surprised by the winners. We played with macerated flavours and discovered how easily a cassis flavour masks a not-so-great-beer. And we paired several cheeses and chocolates with different beers to see what we liked best. A great way of playing with beer and flavours. I will definitely organise this again.

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Opening Brasserie Taymans

Jette has a brewery again! Brasserie Taymans had a grand opening day on Saturday the 11th of March. The original brewery, named the Brasserie-Malterie Taymans, was started over 100 years ago. A warehouse was built for maturing Lambic in 1906 and the Brewhouse was ready in 1911 on the other side of the street (Rue Van Huyneghem), just next to what is known today as the Park Garcet.

The main market was in Brussels, and the brewery survived despite going through very challenging times such as both world wars. Pierre Taymans took over the brewery in 1936 and continued the operations despite the limited development options authorized to him on the site. 

The brewery ceased operations in 1970 at the retirement of our grandfather, Pierre Taymans and the main buildings took a new life. The family house and adjacent brewhouse were transformed into a youth center welcoming local youth for many years before making way later for an extension of the Park and adjoining school. Now six grandchildren, all brothers, have restarted the brewery and I was happy to be part of the opening day and show people around the brewery.

More information on their website.

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First whiskey barreled at Tipsy Tribe

Tipsy Tribe Brewery & Distillery barreled the first whiskey made in Brussels,
Belgium. This American-style Belgian whiskey is a historic milestone for the capital of Europe and the first in a series of other whiskies to be produced by Tipsy Tribe.

Tipsy Tribe Brewery & Distillery (brewstillery) is excited to announce the barreling of the first whiskey made in Brussels! Produced in small-batch and with a unique blend of corn, wheat and barley, Tipsy Tribe has created an American style Belgian whiskey that will be ready for tasting in three years. The barreling took place on the 9th of March, in the presence of distinguished guests and members of the tribe.

Great shot of us trying to get the last drops of whiskey in the barrel.

Made in Brussels
The team has taken great care in making this whiskey entirely in-house, including milling of the grains, brewing, fermenting, distilling, and barreling. No pre-distilled products were used in the making of this whiskey. “We believe it is important to be able to make our own alcohol from scratch to truly call ourselves a distillery. As a Brewstillery, we’re able to capitalize on our expertise in brewing as a basis to
produce fine spirits,” noted Daniel Fastenau, Brewer-Distiller and Co-founder at Tipsy Tribe.
The whiskey was made small batch – approximately 75 bottles. It will be aging in virgin American oak barrels for the next three years at the Brewstillery situated in Koekelberg (Brussels).

More information about Tipsy Tribe on their website.

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Where to go in Brussels? Part 2 – Breweries and brewpubs

You love beer ! A beer tasting at Hoppiness is fantastic. But… of course you want more! Here are some ideas to explore.

Laken
• Brasserie La Source in the fantastic location Be-Here. Drink at the brewery and try all their innovative brews. Open from Wednesday till Sunday.
• Brasserie de la Senne at Tour and Taxis is worth a visit for sure. Enjoy the view, the breeze, the smell of the brewing and explore their lovely beers. Open from Tuesday till Sunday.

Continue reading “Where to go in Brussels? Part 2 – Breweries and brewpubs”