7th BAB Brugs Bierfestival makes a splash with record number of visitors
Author: Erik Verdonck / Published: 2014-02-02 21:37:36 +0100 / Last Updated: over 6 years ago
BRUGES - The city of Bruges not only has an excellent reputation with tourists but it is also a resounding name amongst beer lovers all over the world. Previous editions of the annual 'Brugs Bierfestival' were so successful that the organiser, beer tasters’ association BAB, was compelled to swap its usual location, the old City halls near the Belfort, for the more spacious Beurshal located at ‘t Zand.
As many as 76 Belgian breweries and beer firms gave acte de présence in early February. There were 30 launches and 60 new beers (launched since 2013) were introduced.
There was also a special Festival beer: the BAB Mystère (7.4% ABV) brewed by Strubbe. Brewer Marc Strubbe conjured up no fewer than seven varieties from his brewing kettle. The BAB judged all of these on colour, froth, aroma and taste.
After much deliberation they selected a well hopped blonde, brewed with four varieties of malt (Munich, pale ale, pils and biscuit) as well as a Belgian Styrian Golding and Hallertau Herzbrucker hops. For the dry hopping, the Cascade, Nelson Sauvin and Amarillo varieties were used. It is immediately obvious that the Bruges beer scene is a fast-moving one. You have an established brewery such as De Halve Maan (Brugse Zot, Straffe Hendrik) but then you have newcomer Fort Lapin.
Fort Lapin offered a number of variants of its Fort Lapin (one of them using hibiscus) and the Brugse Bierinstituut is making a splash with current interpretations of traditional beer styles, including West-Vlaams Roodbruin (Galbert van Brugge, 6% ABV). The same applies to beer firm Bryggja (Amuse).
Aigle Belgica
“This may not be the largest beer festival but the quality of the exhibitors is very high”, comments BAB President Marc Vandepitte. “We are expecting around 12,000 visitors. Last year, we counted 42 different nationalities and this year there will be at least as many”.
A new programme element is the attention given to food pairing, explained, amongst others, by Bruges chefs Geert De Mangeleer (three-star restaurant Hertog Jan) and Achim Vandenbussche (of beer restaurant Den Dyver, which recently closed its doors).
The BAB Babbels sessions – only available in Dutch for the time being – allow lambiek brewers Armand Debelder (3 Fonteinen) and Willem Van Herreweghen (Timmermans) as well as others, to give their views on oude geuze.
Bruges’ rich beer history is discussed in detail at the conférence Q&A session led by vzw ‘t Haemerken. In the street, graffiti artists are using their creative talents to produce a vivid homage to André Demeulemeester.
He used to manage Aigle Belgica in Bruges, after Rodenbach the second largest brewery in West Flanders and known for its Aigle Pils. Aigle Belgica shut its doors in 1978 and ended up being enveloped by the Interbrew family, the later AB Inbev. Demeulemeester was not only a brewer: he also painted and drew cartoons. His creative legacy includes around 1,500 works of art.
Hi Jules!
On my way to the Beurshal it seems that I have lost my way in the Tower of Babel. I follow the trail of the beer lovers and enter the Hall under the approving eye of the giant called Jules, who has been patched up for the occasion. Around noon there is still some space left in the aisles.
The atmosphere livens up straight away with the familiar gnome hats (La Chouffe), fool’s caps (Brugse Zot) and pink elephants (Delirium Tremens). There’s a daredevil who is no doubt melting away inside a foxes’ outfit.
Even the bravest amongst us will not manage to last until the evening without a goodly quantity of beer. At the bar, you will come across some surprising ‘limited editions’ festival beers produced by the established breweries.
Bockor, who changed name recently to Omer Vander Ghinste, is pouring their new Brasserie Lefort, Dilewyns is passing the Vicaris Winter 2013 across the bar, at Marsinne’s the Léopold 7 is flowing,
Timmermans is serving the 2013 harvest of its krieklambiek, Van Eecke offers its Hommelbier Fresh Harvest 2013, Dochter van de Korenaar, the Extase. No lack of resounding names. Judge for yourself: Eutropius (Stafke and Invasion), Malheur (Malheur Dry Five and Special Edition Ltd. Brut), Brouwerij Het Gulden Spoor (Zonde Buk), Millevertus (La Papesse and La Zanzi), Den Triest (Tripa).
What’s in a name?
Alvinne is trying to get into the record books by putting ten beers on the list, from Balthazar Oak Aged and Beer Geek Wedding III – what’s in a name? – down to Sigma whereas the brothers-in-arms from the De Struise Brouwers swear by their Pannepot and Pannepeut 2013 and also throw their Elliot 2013 into the battle. These two brewers have come armed with the largest arsenal of taps to win the quest for the thirsty customer.
There’s always room for some nostalgia. Struise Brouwers are providing a link to the past with their Imperialist and Royalist. In the meantime, Het Anker is entering the battle with its Gouden Carolus Expo 58, paying homage to the legendary World Exposition that was held in Brussels in the same year with the Atomium still the most famous witness.
Newcomers to the brewing trade include Bertinchamps (Bertinchamps Triple) and Brasserie des Carrières (Diôle). The army of beer firms is further reinforced with Broeder Jacob (Brut Rosé), Brouwers Verzet (Oud Bruin 2013 and Golden Tricky), De Bierboom (Bierboom), Halen (Dubbel and Tripel Mariënrode).
But also: Gageleer (Bufo), Henricus (Paljas Bruin and IPA), Het Alternatief (Château Migraine), Slaapmutske (Xmas 2013 and Witbier), Stokhove (Waardamse tripel), d’Oude Maalderij (Redenaar), Vliegend Paard (Préaris Quadrocinno).
I need to zap from channel to channel all the time. Will I go for a traditional lambiek, an unknown roodbruin, a beauty matured in wooden barrels or one with a tasty touch of hibiscus?
Nothing like a wide choice like this to make you thirsty. Cheers!
Bruges Blog Posts
BRUGES - This city draws you back in time to the heydays of the Burgundian era. After years of renovation works the Gruuthusemuseum has re-opened its doors. This former city ... [ read more ]
BRUGES - Eleven years ago it all started off on quite a modest scale in the medieval town hall of Bruges, under the imposing gaze of the Belfry. Now, in 2018, the Bruges Beer Festival has spread its w ... [ read more ]
BRUGES - After years of wandering, Bourgogne des Flandres has once again found a permanent home in Burgundian Bruges. This beer left the city when Bruges brewery Den Os ... [ read more ]
BRUGES - Once more, Bruges has shown itself to be a fully-fledged beer city by hosting its annual beer festival that is attracting more and more visitors and is taking on an ever-more international fl ... [ read more ]
ARDOOIE - We are leaving Kortrijk behind us, taking exit 8 from the E403 Doornik – Zeebrugge. Ardooie is our destination, or more specifically, Café OPCD, just below the ... [ read more ]
Comments
You must be logged in to leave a comment
You Might Like
Everything you ever wanted to know about (Belgian) beer under one roof. You get to feel, smell and taste ingredients and discover the typical Belgian beer styles. Come celebrate Belgian beer culture in heart of historic Bruges! Shop and bar are accessible without visiting the museum.
Kasteel Brouwerij Vanhonsebrouck, well known for it's "Kasteel" beer range, now offers their Bierkasteel beer experience; brewery visit, event location, restaurant, bar and shop.
This freemium App for IOS and Android lets you explore and find the best that Belgium's UNESCO recognised beer culture has to offer. Find breweries, bars, restaurants, festivals, events, experiences and beer shops; create you own beer trips and be your own tour guide!
Brasserie Dubussion prides itself on tradition and taste and has opened a brand new visitors centre, the Beerstorium. Learn about the rich history, beers and brewing at the oldest brewery in Wallonia. You can visit this authentic Belgian brewery, see brewing in action, as well as taste some of their delicious brews for yourself, including their legendary Bush (Scaldis) beer range.
BLOG
POSTS
BRUSSELS/MONS - We’ve made our way down to the historic city of Mons (Bergen) for the eighth edition of the international Brussels Beer Challenge. A 90-strong jury is busy tasting; there are four morning sessions in a ro... [ more ]
BRUGES - This city draws you back in time to the heydays of the Burgundian era. After years of renovation works the Gruuthusemuseum has re-opened its doors. This former city palace is the showca... [ more ]
ANTWERP - Brewers from 59 different countries flocked to attend the Brewers of Europe Forum 2019 in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Hall, right next to the renowned Antwerp Central Station building. ... [ more ]
ERTVELDE - To track down a brewer within his own domain is a high-ranking form of sports, or that’s the impression I get. After a bit of practice I spot Jef Versele, CEO of the Van Steenberge brewery, well hidden amongst... [ more ]
MECHELEN - The historic city of Mechelen, halfway between Brussels and Antwerp, is truly a hidden gem. The presence of the Dukes of Burgundy, who ruled here in the late middle ages, still permeates the ancient city centr... [ more ]
More Beer
Brugse Zot, a city beer for Bruges brewed by De Halve Maan, was launched in 2005 by Xavier Vanneste, but its name harks back to the late Middle Ages, when the Emperor Maximilian of... [ more ]
Beer Tourism Newsletter Signup
Enter your name and email address on the right and click "SignUp" to join.