Beers of Autumn

Our collection of imports numbers more than 25 beers from Belgium and French Flanders. A couple of years back, it dawned on us that the average store or restaurant was hard-pressed to stock all of them all of the time. So, we came up with a quarterly charts profiling excellent beer choices for each season. We are presenting this information (albeit in a different format) on the web for you to use as you stock your beer cellar, your store shelves or build your seasonal menu.

Description: Brewed in Lembeek, town that gave Lambic its name, by Frank Boon, premiere revivalist brewer in Belgium. 100% spontaneously fremented by wild yeast, barrel aged for 2 years. Renowned for delicacy, balance, authentic Lambic attack & tartness.Unparalleled beers for cooking because of complexity and lack of hop bitterness. If the beer is not made in the Senne River Valley of Belgium, it cannot be called Lambic. The original of all fruit beers.

Boon Kriek: Flemish for cherry. Fresh cherries (minimum 200 grams per liter, no juice or flavorings used), are added to casks of 18 month-old Lambic & aged 4-6 months. Superbly fruity and tart.

Serve Kriek as an aperitif and with desserts.
Try Black & Cherry (1/2 Guiness & 1/2 Boon Kriek). A sensation at a couple of imaginitive bars.

Comments and Selling Points: "The overall impression is of an astonishing balance. Boon (Kriek) is simple sorcery in a bottle, and I won't hesitate to recommend it above all others."--C.R. Saikley California Celebrator Beer News

"**** World Classic."-- Michael Jackson The Pocket Guide to Beer. Microbrewery of the Year--World Beer Championships
Boon Kriek--Platinum Medal--The World Beer Championships

Description: Made at the family owned Dubuisson Brewery newr Tournai, Scaldis is famous for being the strongest beer in a country known for potent brews. Amber-colored, malty & rich. Made from three barley malts, hopped three times. Called the "most drinkable ultra-strong beer in the world." Excellent aperitif, dessert beer, or after-dinner drink. Also very good with salmon and rabbit.

Comments and Selling Points: "Scaldis has a chewy but nutty maltiness and a superb balance of clean, dry, aromatic hoppiness in the finish with Goldings influence very evident."

Michael Jackson The Beer Companion. Gold Medal-- The World Beer Championships

Description: Made by the Castelain Brewery in French Flanders, Castelain is warm gold in color, grassy, sweet nose, full body, long malty finish. A beer of great finesse. Biere de Garde is the only indigenous French beer style. Closely allied with belgian brewing traditions. Superb with goat cheese, quiches, roasted fowl, and Souteast Asian dishes. A gastronomic beer.

Comments and Selling Points: "The sweetest among the Bieres de Gardes...earthy, grassy, citrussy, slightly sticky papate, with aromatic maltiness, long finish. A beer to go with food."
- Michael Jackson