I thought maybe you would have some inside information on what happened to "Royal Brand Beer" from Holland. It was one of the best tasting beers around and it seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. Any help would be appreciated. Thank You
- William Wagner

The Brand Brewery, formerly the Royal Brand Brewery, is still alive and brewing, as far as I know. They have what is termed a "strategic alliance" with Heineken, so the recent shake-up of Heineken's importing house might have had some effect on the availability of Brand. Try going to heineken.com/usa and following the links to "contact us" to find if they can help. Alternately, you can call the Brand brewery in Holland at 043.450.8282, or practice your Dutch at www.brand.nl.

I read your interview with the head of the Sleeman breweries. I wonder if you can tell me if the Sleeman products I get in Florida are the same as those in Canada? If they are, how did Sleeman get enough money to buy Unibroue? They are sweet, low hopped, overly corn adjuncted, icky beers. Maybe they are just for the US market. Serve at 32 degrees (F) in a frosted glass. Yuck! Well, thank you. Keep up the good work.
- William Peters

Yes, no doubt they are the same products, although I'm surprised to hear that they're being sold in Florida. (Clear, embossed bottles with a neck label, right?) I've said before and I'll say again that the Cream Ale is pretty much a benchmark for the style, in my opinion. But then again, cream ale is not exactly the most characterful style, either...

Just wanted to let you know that I finally got a chance to pick up your "Premium Beer Drinker's Guide" book. It was for sale at the Achtste Meibockfestival at the Brouwerij De Prael in Amsterdam. It was a one day only (May 8, 2005) event held at this brewery. Tried some interesting beers - but it's a small brewery and their bar/lounge area located upstairs got pretty cramped at times. Anyway, I was thrilled to see the book for sale and have really enjoyed it. Sincerely
- James Cottle

Glad that you were able to get a copy, James, although I'm baffled as to how it became for sale in Holland.

• April 2008
• March 2008
• February 2008
• January 2008
• November 2007
• October 2007
• September 2007
• August 2007
• July 2007
• June 2007
• May 2007
• April 2007
• March 2007
• February 2007
• January 2007
• December 2006
• November 2006
• October 2006
• September 2006
• August 2006
• July 2006
• June 2006
• May 2006
• April 2006
• March 2006
• February 2006
• Janaury 2006
• December 2005
• November 2005
• October 2005
• September 2005
• August 2005
• July 2005
• June 2005
• May 2005
• April 2005
• March 2005
• February 2005
• January 2005
• December 2004
• November 2004
• October 2004
• September 2004
• August 2004
• July 2004
• June 2004
• May 2004
• April 2004
• March 2004
• February 2004
• January 2004
• December 2003
• November 2003
• October 2003
• September 2003
• August 2003
• July 2003
• June 2003
• May 2003
• April 2003
• March 2003
• February 2003
• January 2003
• December 2002
• November 2002
• October 2002
• September 2002
• August 2002
• July 2002
• June 2002
• May 2002
• April 2002
• March 2002
• February 2002
• January 2002
• December 2001
• November 2001
• October 2001
• September 2001
• August 2001
• July 2001
• June 2001
• May 2001
• April 2001
• March 2001
• February 2001
• January 2001
• December 2000
• November 2000
• October 2000
• September 2000
• August 2000
• July 2000
• June 2000
• May 2000
• April 2000
• March 2000
• February 2000
• January 2000
• December 1999
• November 1999
• October 1999
• September 1999
• August 1999

We're very interested in your news, notes, comments and questions, so please feel free to contact SBWoB by clicking on the link below. Or you can add your comments when you sign up for the World of Beer Update, a mid-month e-mail newsletter that brings even more of the world of beer to your computer.

Send Feedback To: beaumont@worldofbeer.com