Posts Tagged ‘Belgian ale’

BeerSomm Presents – Endless Belgian Beer & Sausage Fest

Tuesday, 20 September 2011 14:16 Written by beersomm 0 Comments

3.5hrs of exotic gourmet links & paired brews from Duvel & Ommegang, 10/11

Endless Belgian Beer & Sausage Fest – Thrillist Rewards
For a European alliance that would make even Austria Hungary, hit the Tour de France Belgian Beer & Sausage Fest: 9 French restos pairing unlimited juicy linkage with suds from and inspired by the best beer nation in the world. The meat of the matter covers everything from brats & French boudin blanc, to Moroccan merguez & PEI mussels served w/ chorizo, with each of the 9 cased meats prepped & explained by head chefs from Nice Matin, Cafe d’Alsace & more.

On the frothy tip, you’ll guzzle bottomless brew pairings from Flemish brewhouse Duvel, Brasserie d’Achouffe (a small-time Belgian concern out of… Achouffe), and Cooperstown, NY’s aficionado-praised Ommegang. Set yourself up with a 3.5hr VIP pass (starting at 630p) including an extra hour of early entry for media, special guests, and you; or if you can’t ditch work early, score a 2.5hr pass that’ll have you feasting by 730p — you won’t get to meet the press, but you’ll still get to meet the meat.

The pairings’re done by Gianni Cavicchi, Tour de France’s beer sommelier! Grab a VIP 3.5hr pass

Click here for the Trillist deal
https://rewards.thrillist.com/deal/2828/2699/tour-de-france/buy

Duck’d Up for NY Craft Beer Week

Tuesday, 13 September 2011 14:03 Written by beersomm 0 Comments

Beer Somm Presents

Duck’d Up
NYC Craft Beer Week Zagat Beer Dinner
Café D’Alsace
Sept 16th-25th

Poutine D’Alsace
Frites, Cheese Curds, Mc Chouffe Gravy,
Torn Duck Leg Confit & Foie Gras
Brasserie d’Achouffe “Mc Chouffe” Achouffe, Belgium

Duck in a Blanket
Duck Sausage Resting In Puff Pastry With
Ommegang’s “Abbey Ale” Reduction, Cooperstown, NY


Roasted Crispy Duck Breast
Long Island Duck Breast, Potato Galette, Baby Vegetables,
Natural Duck Jus & Liefmans Cuvée Brut Coulis
Bronx Brewery “Bronx” Pale Ale, Bronx, NYC

Duck Leg Confit Over La Chouffe Risotto
Fava Beans, Asparagus & Snow Peas Topped With
Reggiano Cheese & Truffle Oil
Brasserie d’Achouffe “La Chouffe” Achouffe, Belgium

Floating Black Duck
Vanilla Ice Cream & Cracked Cookies Swimming In
Greenport Harbor’s “Black Duck” Porter, Greenport, Long Island




Executive Chef – Philippe Roussel
Beer Somm’s – Gianni Cavicchi & Gabriel Richter 


Get to know a Belgian-style: Tripel

Friday, 08 July 2011 06:15 Written by beersomm 1 Comment

Tripel.  If anyone has had a La Fin Du Monde or a Victory Golden Monkey you will quickly learn after consuming a couple glasses that this beer that, while very drinkable, it is a very strong beer that should definitely be respected.

A Belgian-style Tripel is a strong, yellow or golden ale which can range from 8%-10% in alcohol by volume (abv).  Usually unfiltered, these deceptively strong ales have a distinct spicy, fruit estery and hoppy aroma.  Flavor is usually fruity and spicy with warming alcohol.  Malt and hop flavors are usually low but some brewers have developed hoppier versions.

The Tripel originated as an Abbey beer originally brewed in the Province of Antwerp, Belgium.  Before WWII, Belgian brewers were making strong, dark beers.  In order to compete with the new and popular Pilsner lagers, the monks began to experiment with pale malts and hops.  While there were strong, golden ales being made before WWII, the Trappist brewers at Westmalle were the first to develop the “Tripel.”  It’s unclear where the Tripel or Triple name came from but the monk’s usually brewed a low-alcohol table beer called an Enkel , meaning “single,” a Dubbel which is a darker, stronger beer (6-8% abv), and then the Tripel, which is usually the strongest.  Some breweries go further and brew a Quadruple which is a very stromg, very dark ale usually ranging from 9% to 12% abv or more.

While Westmalle continues to make a great Tripel, other breweries including Belgian, U.S. and Canadian breweries have developed some great versions of this style.  Some of our favorites include:

La Fin Du Monde – Unibroue

Golden Monkey – Victory Brewing Company

St. Feuillien Triple – Brasserie St. Feuillien

Tripel Karmeliet – Brouwerij Bosteels

Tripel Horse – River Horse Brewing Company

Xtra Gold Tripel – Captain Lawrence Brewing Company

Allagash Curieux – Allagash Brewing Company

Come to Get Real “Belgian Fest” and try some great examples of Belgian-style Tripel Ales!!

http://www.grbfny.com/brewers/

Heidi’s House by the Side of 78th Street

Friday, 24 June 2011 16:27 Written by beersomm 0 Comments

One of the best hidden destinations on the Upper East Side is Heidi’s House – By the Side of the Road located on 78th Street between 1st and 2nd.  A very small destination around the corner from Bocca on 2nd Ave is a great mix of well selected craft beer, French wine, and thoughtfully created comfort food.  Oh and Heidi actually does run the place and you can’t miss her vibrant energy and personable charm.  The place is small, I mean really small, but extremely cozy with only a few tables seating no more than three and a large bar which is even more inviting.

The 25+ beer selection is very good and well selected with a good mix of IPA’s, Belgian ales, lagers, and even a sour ale.  I had a Two Brothers Long Haul and a Flying Dog Raging Bitch.  Other beers on the list included Allagash White, Lagunitas IPA, Ommegang BPA, Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, and Troubadour Obscura.

It’s not the beer that makes this place.  The food is incredible with dishes like shrimp tacos with cilantro, tuna tartar that melts in your mouth, macaroni and cheese with your choice of bacon or lobster added, and a homemade pasta entrée which changes daily.

Definitely try the wine.  Heidi knows her wine and clearly selects them herself and she will let you try them all until you find one you like.

Heidi’s House is located at 308 East 78th Street.

Check out the menu on their website: http://www.heidishouse.net.