Boon (Kriek and Gueuze)

Style: Lambic Wild Yeast Ale

Description: Brewed in Lembeek, town that gave Lambic its name, by Frank Boon, premiere revivalist brewer in Belgium. 100% spontaneously fermented 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.

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.

Boon Gueuze: Dusky gold, pungently aromatic, deliciously dry & sherry-like. Bracing aperitif. Great with salads, fish. What Belgian s drank in Breughel's day.

Try Black & Cherry (1/2 Guiness & 1/2 Boon Kriek). A sensation at a couple of imaginative 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.

     "The champagne of the beer world...it is as if (Boon) stuffed a piece of the Belgian countryside into a bottle and shipped it overseas."-- Bill Metzger Barleycorn Magazine

St. Amand French Country Ale

Style: Biere de Garde

Description: Made by the Castelain Brewery in French Flanders, St. Amand is copper-colored with a hint of licorice, a malty body, and a clean finish. Biere de Garde is the only indigenous beer style. Cold-aged (like lagers), but top-fermented (like ales), these are full-bodied but quenching beers! Great with bistro food, steaks. An ideal picnic beer.

Comments and Selling Points: Perfect marriage of Northern European brewing prowess & French finesse.

             "Red amber color. Exotic aromas of French cellars. A malty sweetness light on the palate with a  right down the middle bitterness. A Biere de Garde I wouldn't mind being able to brew myself." --Charlie Papazian All About Beer.

             Gold Medal---World Beer Championships

Foret

Style: Belgian Saison

Description: Brewed at one of Europe's last farmhouse breweries, Foret is Belgium's only certified organic ale. 100% organically raised hops, barley & pure well water.  Bold, dry, herbal. Bottle conditioned, suitable for cellaring, Beautifully balanced. Enjoy with sharp cheeses, roasted meats (particularly pork), and fish.

Comments and Selling Points: "Brasserie Dupont, Belgium's 'classic producer' of Saison beers." Michael Jackson The Beer Companion
   
             "The only organic beer I ever tried where I didn't care it was organic. A great beer. Period." John Hansell The Malt Advocate
     
            "One of the ten most notable beers of the year." The Wine Enthusiast