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 [...]

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 [...]

This August, I’ll be embarking on an epic journey across Europe, with some time in Belgium dedicated to exploring the beers I love in their native land.   Being my first trip to Belgium, I thought I might reach out to you, loyal Beer & Nosh reader, for some advise: Where to go, what to [...]

  While en route to a concert in the park, I took the chance to stop into the newly reopened Magnolia.  The changes have lead to some consternation regarding the new look.  The old, Grateful Dead style murals have been painted over with gold leaf, and the look has been tightened and modernized.  Overall, I like the new feel of [...]

Mini review: amazing space (sit downstairs), awesome beers, middling food, get the fries.  For a more complete review, see the professionals.