|
Hi,
Last weekend, Brugge Culinair took place again here in Bruges.
A remarkable culinary event, also including some great Belgian beers.
The big difference with previous editions is that the entrance has become at no charge.
A very good decision, which gave even more visitors this year.
The BBB was also present, and captured the beery contents.
A long weekend of gastronomic enjoyment here in the centre of Bruges at site Oud Sint-Jan, which is a perfect location to organise such a tasty - beery - event.
Great to see that "Belgium's beer woman number one", Sofie Vanrafelghem, was present to sign her new book Tournée Générale 3 - Trends & Tradities.
A book about Belgian beer, made for the wonderful series Tournée Générale, broadcasted these days (3th. series already) on Flemish television Eén.
www.een.be/programmas/tournee-generale

One of the first things that caught my eyes was the Bourgogne des Flanders stand.
The stand was run by bry. Timmermans (Anthony Martin) brewmaster Thomas Vandelanotte, who we see here on the picture.
Note that later this year, a brand new brewery wil be launched in the centre of Bruges.
The building is already finished. It's actually only waiting for the grand opening.
That's really some fantastic news to notice that this original Bruges' beer will be brewed again here in the centre of old Bruges, more precise at the Wollestraat, close behind the belfry tower.
The Bourgogne des Flanders we tried at Brugge Culinair was poured from tap, and gave such a creamy velvety soft foam layer.
A treat when savouring, which makes the beer that creamy sensational.
A great summertime refreshing beer with some Lambic flavours, blended into a mixed fermented dark Flemish sour ale.
The new brewery at the Wollestraat will also be a place where one can savour the beer, and also the possibility to buy.
Great efforts were done to promote Anthony Martin's beer choice. For example this mixed beer-pralines box,
Every praline is made with each John Martin's beer.
A pralines box that sure will be available at this new beer shop - bar - brewery. Looking forward....
The beer scene here in Bruges is doing better than ever.
New beers are launched like mushrooms popping up, which is a very good sign really.
For example, this new Bruges' beer called Paljas.
Today brewed at bry. Anders for beer firm brewery Henricus.
Paljas brewmaster Mathias Van den Poel running the stand.
I can already say that this beer is very well succeeded. A floral-fruity-hoppy perfectly sweetish beer with great depths and body.
A recipe that's well been investigated and researched. Truely amazing.
It is the intention to soon install a brewery at Damme, near Bruges.
A future realisation which I'm - again - looking forward to.
More interesting beers at Brugge Culinair.
Sweet beers, but perfectly drinkable for people with sugar disease, due to the sweetness coming from that plant called Stevia - www.stevia.com.
The Stepaja company, which specializes in foods for diabetics, decided
to brew a special beer without sugar. "De Proefbrouwerij" developed 2
magic beers: the STEPA triple (pale, 8% alc.v/v) and the STEPA amber
(dark, 6 % v/v) both having less than 0.3 % residual sugar. Special
malts were selected to optimize taste and a controlled fermentation in
the bottle was employed to reduce the sugar content to below 0.3 %.
With thanks to K.U.Leuven-professor Jan Geuns for actually making it possible to bring Stevia on the European market.
As mentioned, this sweet beer is brewed at the 'Proef'brewery - www.stepa.be/beer
I had a taste and was suprised about its sweetness, but not too overwhelming. Really not bad at all, but still so different.
STEPA triple (pale, 8% alc.v/v) and the STEPA amber
(dark, 6 % v/v)
Biercafe 'Bierstraat 1-6' op Brugge Culinair.
A kind of improvised beer cafe, offering a 6 quality beers.

Regnier De Muynck at Biercafe 'Bierstraat 1-6'
Biercafe 'Bierstraat 1-6' was organized by Regnier De Muynck, who runs the famous Bruges' beer shop De Biertempel.
Note that Regnier will leave De Biertempel soon to help running Bruges' newest beer bar Le Trappiste !
See forum thread: NEW - Le Trappiste - Bruges
Again, some wonderful news this is.
Daisy Claeys from famous Bruges' beer pub 't Brugs beertje was also present, and this during the distribution HORECA awards, which she actually won a couple of years back.
That reward is still hanging on the wall at Brugs Beertje's' second room!
Left: Chairman HORECA Bruges Chris Janssens - Right: Jeroen Verduyn, bartender at Bruges' beer pub De Kelk.
The beers were poured into the already well-known BAB-tasting glasses.
A great co-operation !!
During the beer savouring moments, one could taste the delicious bites.
That Biercafe 'Bierstraat 1-6' initiative was quitye some successfull initiative.
Should be done next year again. My advice !
Miore local beers were on offer !
For example the mighty Préaris beers from brewery Vliegende Paard Brouwers - Oedelem.
Yes, you read that correct. Vliegende Paard Brouwers have actually become Belgium's newest brewery.
They own their own brewery now, and all papers are within perfect regulations by now too.
The majority of their beers are still brewed at bry De 'Proef'brouwerij though.
The picture here above does show brewmaster Andy Dewilde, proudly showing his hoppy sensation, called Préaris Blond.
More sensational beers!!
This time from Bruges' brewery Fort Lapin.
Brewmaster Kristof Vandenbussche pouring his own brewed Fort Lapin Tripel 8.
Previously being brewed at De Graal, but today - together with the Quadrupel 10 - here in Bruges. A wonderful spicy hoppy treat !! Well done Kristof !
The real Bruges' garlic sausages were present at the Fort Lapin stand !! Hmmmmm ...... delicious and greatly garlic flavoured the way it's done centuries ago here in Bruges.
Details Bruges' garlic sausages inside forum thread: Extremely OFF-TOPIC - Don't Read!
More beers from Bruges!
The three beers from Het Bierinstituut, run by brewmaster Eli Noë.
Including their brand new beer called Den IJzeren Arm, a spicy tripel at 9 vol%.
Spices are fenugreek and mustard seeds. Gives it a delicious nutty (walnuts) flavour to it.
Again, a mighty new Bruges' beer has been launched. Where is the end?
How surprised I was to notice that even one Italian brewery joined the Brugge Culinair event.
Birrificio Quota 120 - www.quota120.com
Located at San Damiano, near Asti (Piemonte).
Tasting their beers was a true revelation. Such a great quality beers they brew.
Especially that Q120 Forte was such a treat. Spiced with orange peels, which gave it that fruity orange aroma, which should be such a delight in hot summertime Italy!
Look out for that brewery, they make some great beers there !!

BAB-presence with Marc vandepitte (middle) - chairman BAB
Well, that's a bit from Brugge Culinair concerning the beery side.
Last but nost least, the stand from the Bruges' Autonomous Beer Tasters.
Three beers on offer, i.e. De Ranke XX-Bitter - Saint-Bernarsdus Abt 12 - Oude Geuze Boon.
Excellent beers to end the 2013 Brugge Culinair event!
More pictures were made (ofcourse).
So, feel free to enter the beery world of Brugge Culinair 2013 by clicking the image here above...
Enjoy...
Up till next year folks.....
www.bruggeculinair.be
Cheers,
Filip
|