Well, it’s been awhile since I have posted and sorry for that. Things have been relatively quiet but the last week or two has ushered in some exciting beer news!
New Belgian Beers Make the Charleston Scene – Several new Belgian beers are now on the shelves at both the Wine & Cheese shop and The Liquor Company. Leading the pack is the famous Belgian dark strong ale “Gulden Draak”. This fire breather delivers 10.5% alcohol by volume along with a rich, complex and dark malt profile. Piraat, a strong golden ale is no slouch either also a 10.5% abv beer with some hoppy bitterness to balance it out. Wittekerke (brewed by Bavik) is a fairly straight forward Belgian white ale (Witbier) and Bavik is a typical Belgian brewed Euro-Pils the likes of Maes, Jupiler and Stella.
Harpoon Belgian Pale Ale earns a BTY Thumbs-Up- This beer-blogger has been enjoying Harpoon’s newest year-round release. Although HBPA weigh-in at 5.8%abv, the beer is surprisingly sessionable. I joked with a guy earlier today that Harpoon should have put a bottle opener on the bottom of the bottle so you can easily open the next one! HBPA is a good balance of the malty/caramel flavors of the classic Belgian Pale Ale De Koninck and the hoppy aroma and flavor of Poperinge’s Hommel Bier. The classic Belgian clove/phenolic flavor is apparent all the way through but never overpowering.
The Wine and Cheese Shop is Expanding- Many of you may have already heard the news that Wine, Beer and Cheese shop will be moving from the cramped little space to a much larger floor-plan in the Capitol Market. Owner Ted Armbrecht told me that the move will allow him to double his beer space and add a double wide beer cooler allowing him to sell cold beer. BTY wishes them luck with the move!
Well Folks! I will be off to Bavaria with some thirsty travelers. Be sure to tune into the blog as we keep you up to date on our beery adventures!
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“Draak” is sound one makes the morning after having a few of those puppies. Something in that devil brew 1) makes you want to drink more than one, and 2) then makes you pay the next day. I’m thinking of a night I had at Sharp Edge, with cheap wings and GD on special … ooof.
Enjoyed 2 “Draaks” with some specialty pizza at The Italian Grille in Putnam Village. Great little local haunt. They also have Piraat and some Great Lakes products. The food is a pleasant surprise as well with great pizza specials and very good eggplant parmesan. Beer snobs in the area should give this place a visit.