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This week we will be tasting three excellent brews, two from Belgium
and one from Colorado. The tasting will be from 4:30pm to 8:30pm Friday,
May 12th. If you haven’t been able to make a tasting recently, this is one you
do not want to miss. Just a reminder, Sunday is Mothers Day: Mom’s in
general like flowers, CARDS, and sentimental items. Before we get to the
beer lets look at farmhouse ales. If you did not receive an e-mail last week, I
apologize I wrote it and sent it, past that I just know that it did not make it to
some inboxes.
Farmhouse ales were originally brewed as for sustenance in the
farmlands of Belgium. Brewing the beer in the farm house had many benefits.
Grains that were used for the mash were excess harvest grains, grains that
could not be processed into flour, or grains that may have been getting old or
stale. By boiling these grains the starches were turned to sugars which were
then turned into alcohol by natural airborn yeasts. This form of natural
brewing (unlike the mass produced beers that we are accustomed to... Bud
Light) is actually very nutritious. It has a high calorie count, good cholesterol,
was an excellent addition to a meager farm diet, and did not make you sick.
The alcohol content is sufficient to destroy bacteria that are harmful to
humans. These bacteria are found in any given water source, and were
unknown until the late 1800’s. On top of these qualities, the sludge that is left
over from the brewing process (yeast, hops, and grains) could be used as a
calorie and protein rich found for farm animals making them healthier and
they could produce more milk or be bigger (and have more meat) when
slaughtered. This type of brewing is very simple and creates some very tasty
brews. However, it is not really suited for mass production. One form of
farmhouse ale is the style called Lambic which is often flavored with fruits.
Others include Saison and Biere de Garden. If you have never had a
farmhouse brew, you need to. Now, on to the beer!
The first beer of the day is an IPA by called Titan by Great Divide
Brewery. The nose has an intense hop right up front. It is medium bodied with
light malt and heavy hop tones. The finish is more hops. This is a good beer
for a hot day. Serve cold.
The next beer is Saison Dupont, which was voted Best Beer in the World
in 2005. I will let you decide for yourselves what you think of it. It is brewed
by Dupont Brewery.
The final beer is Biere de Miel, also by Dupont Brewery. This beer is
flavored with honey. A rich full nose is laced with the scent of wildflower
honey. It is full in your mouth without being overbearing and the honey
quality lends a creaminess to the mix. The finish is slightly sweet. This is a
great beer.
Those are the brews for this week. Come in and enjoy. See you soon.
Your Friends at River Rock Beverages.
