Your Comments, Criticisms and Contributions - March 2004
thanks to a mention on your website, I made it up to David Farnsworth's LUCKY BALDWINS PUB for their end of February Belgian Beer Festival. What a treat and what a selection! It was my first try of some breweries you have touted, including Hoegaarden and Westmalle. I shared a table with a home brewer with quite a good nose/palate and we shared tastes and notes as well, sampling 12 beers. My favorite was the Grimbergen Double. His was the PilaarBijter Red. My understanding is that they have an upcoming BarleyWine and an IPA tasting worth promoting. Thanks for drawing my attention to this little pub with a huge inventory!
- David Britton
Glad to hear that you found Lucky Baldwin's, David. It's a fine establishment with a keen enthusiasm for good beer.
I've just inquired with Sleeman about the ingredients in Clear. Three times for three, it's given me diarrhea after 2 or more beers. Ever heard anything like that before?
- tjhorton
I can't say that I have heard of such a thing. I'd suggest moving on to another beer brand.
Hi Stephen,
I'm writing to quickly discuss La Barberie (Quebec City) bottled products. I don't know if you were aware that they started bottling a few of their recipes a few months ago. If so, I doubt you've had a chance to sample them unless you've been in the Québec or Montréal area recently.
Allow me to suggest that you seek them out next time you are in Québec. You can check their website for a list of retailers that carry them. The India Pale Ale is exceptional. It is very true to the style, in the same league as the good British IPAs. It's my personal favorite. The Rousse Bitter is also very good. The Blanche is very citrusy, the coriander just leaps out of the glass. I also tasted the Blanche aux mûres (blackberry), which is also pleasant.
La Barberie is one of my favorite spots, unfortunately it is a 4-hr drive from where I live and their bottled products are not sold around here. I did go twice over the Holidays (my fiancée is from Qc City so we spent some time there) and I talked to Bruno (one of the founders) and unfortunately, it does not look like the bottles will be available here anytime soon.
Anyway, I thought you'd like to know that they're worth a try.
- Tom Vigeant
Thank you for your thoughts and comments. I've long been a fan of this brewery, if for nothing more than its hopeless eccentricity! I'm looking forward to sampling bottled brands from La Barberie.
Please help me. I am looking for a unique gift for a beer lover. I would like any info you may have on any beer tasting dinners or events in the NJ, NY, or Conn. area. Thank you. - Sharon Kozinn
A little further a field, I'll be hosting a Stouts and Porters Beer Dinner at Monk's Cafe on March 16. Tickets are $75 and can be obtained by calling Monk's at 215-545-7005. Otherwise, I'd suggest checking the events listings at www.alestreetnews.com.
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