Return to Belgium

It's almost that time of year.  I know, I've neglected you all year.  But let's face it, it's much more fun to drink beer than to write about it.... I've had many reminders throughout the year.  One of my favorite beer spots in NYC, The Blind Tiger does many great tap events during the year.  The last one was Ommegang.  If you are not familiar, they are Belgian inspired brewers in New York state.  In fact, they are owned by the number one brewers in Belgium , the Moorgat Brewers.  Moorgat brews some of the top beers in Belgium, including Duvel.  There is nothing quite like a Duvel enjoyed locallly, something is lost on the trip.  On one of our trips to Belgium with Ale Street News,   we saw Ommegang beers coming off the Moorgat bottling line.

Of course, Ommegang began here in the US and developed their own brews.  Last week I was very happy to sample a wonderful selection of limited brews and historical beers: Gnomegang, Seduction, Rustica, Art of Darkness, Belgian Independence Day, Bier D'Hougoumot.  as well as a favorite Three Philosophers.  I hope you have enjoyed some of their standard brews, and that you have an opportunity to try some of the special limited and seasonal additions! Cheers!

People and Places

There are several special beer bars in New York City.  At the Blind Tiger Ale House, you are likely to find brews that you have never seen before! Surely a mecca for any beer adventurer which you will see in more of my posts.
Last week I was lucky enough to have a special cask ale, Busterbrau Catatonic.  Busterbrau ales are loving brewed By Warren Montiero, the Beer Sensei of Ale Street News.  Not only is he a talented and knowledgeable beer writer, he's a darn good brewer too.
The Catatonic was poured from a small cask, fresh hopped, tasty and very drinkable! Complex with 7 malts: maris, briess pale, carafa I, crystal 60, cara amber, munich amber, wheat malt. Water: Burton profile. Hops: cluster, chinook, cascade for bitterness, cascade & goldings for aroma, wet cascade hops from Pittsburgh courtesy of Carl Uhlmann for wet hop finish. So if you are lucky enough to be frequenting the beer hot spots in New York, be on the look out for any Busterbrau... it's the one beer to remember!