Deep in the Ardennes forest, almost at the Luxembourg border, there be Gnomes. Brewing gnomes.  Ok, so maybe the Achouffe brewery isn’t actually run by gnomes, but you’d never know that from looking at a bottle.  Each one is decorated with a gnome, hunched over with a bundle of malt and hops grasped in its [...]

Just saying the word “Cantillon” to beer lovers can cause their eyes to roll back in their heads as sense memories of pleasure and tartness overwhelm their brains.   A stalwart of tradition located in southern Brussels, Cantillon only brews lambics and gueuze – along with a few modern variations, built on the same tart [...]

  This trip wasn’t all Belgium – we also made a stop over in Italy, to eat, drink, and enjoy some time in the sun.  While researching beer in Italy,  I quickly found this NY Times article, extolling the virtues of the new Italian beer scene.  I was intrigued, and made it a point to [...]

When it comes to beers, Orval is in a league all it’s own.  One of the few remaining authentic Trappist breweries, housed inside it’s overseeing monastery, and brews but one beer. (Well, maaaaybe two, but we’ll get back to that.)  I was graciously welcomed into the brewery by brewmaster Jean-Marie for a tour and tasting [...]

Aaaaand we’re back! Thanks to everyone for their outstanding suggestions and well wishes for my journey (and marriage!) We had one hell of a trip, but are now back to slowly reentering normal life, and sorting through the mountain of pictures.   For our first post back, I figure we’d start things off with a [...]

When I planned my trip up to Portland, there was one brewery above all others I was interested in visiting: Cascade Brewing at the Raccoon Lodge.  They brew inspired, sour ales that are uniquely American. Their beers have slowly been creeping into San Francisco area by way of City Beer Store and Beer Revolution (You [...]

  Since he’s sitting around waiting for the ABC to approve their brewing license, it gives Social Kitchen + Brewery Brewmaster Rich Higgins a few extra minutes to talk shop about his new beers.  He’s very, very excited about these brews, and working hard to create a unique brewing point of view that is a [...]

I’ve started to notice that some of my favorite breweries are hidden away in the least likely of places: small business centers, in nondescript white buildings, often joined on either side by auto detailers, clutch and transmissions specialists and furniture wholesalers.  It’s pretty far from the fields of barley and hop bines in beer commercials. [...]

While in Chicago, it seemed worthwhile to find out how they make beer in the Windy City.  Fortuitously,  when I happened to meet Goose Island brewer Tom Korder at GABF, I mentioned I was coming to town and would love to see the facilities.  He happily agreed, and met us with us on a chilly [...]

While staying in San Diego, we frequented a small fish shack right on the harbor for breakfast. They dealt in heavy, cheap plates of food ideal before heading out onto the water to fish.  Not surprisingly, they carried a full time of taps for Ballast Point Brewery.  It’s natural fit – fishing and fish themed [...]