Max's Belgian Fest tap list

Below is the list that will be on tap at Max's Belgian Fest this weekend.  This is one of the most anticipated weekends for the Baltimore Beer crowd, and it should be.  If you take a look at the list, many or most of the beers listed, most people have never heard of.  Even huge beer geeks never heard of them.  I love to go, and just randomly choose, judging only by people's comments (while chatting it up with those around me) or the description on the draft list.

I am looking forward to a few, some of which I only ever have at the Belgian Fest.  De Dolle Dulle Teve (Mad Bitch) is one of my favorites, and I am also looking forward to the Farmhouse ales from Hof Ten.  I love the beers brewed by De Dochter Van De Korenaar  and never have any losers.  But seriously, you cannot go wrong with any of them.  (The bottle list, which is just as impressive, was just too long to post. If you want to check it out, comment below and I'll email it to you.)

DRAFTS



Achilles Serafijn Chrsitmas Angel 8.00% Winter Strong Ale
Achouffe Houblon Chouffe 9.00% Triple /IPA
Achouffe la Chouffe 8.00% Golden Ale
Achouffe Mc Chouffe 8.00% Bruin
Achouffe N' Ice 10.00% Barleywine
Alvinne Bolleville 10.00% Strong Ale Aged in Calvados
Alvinne Caper Fumatis 6.70% Smoke Ale
Alvinne Extra 7.00% IPA
Alvinne Gaspar 8.00% Bitter
Alvinne Melchior 11.00%
Alvinne Oak Kersaus 2008 6.00% Sour Cherry Ale
Alvinne Oak Melchior 11.00%
Alvinne Podge 10.50% Imperial Stout
Alvinne Wild Morpheus 5.90% Wild Ale
Alvinne Wild Undressed 5.20% Wild Ale
Bavik Petrus Aged Pale 7.30% Sour/Wild Ale
Bavik Petrus Winter 6.50% Sour Winter Ale
Bavik Pilaarbijter Brune 7.00% Abbey Dubbel
Blanche De Bruxelles 5.00% Wit
Blaugies Darbyste 5.80% Saison w/ Fig Juice
Blaugies Epeature 6.00% Saison W/ Spelt
Blaugies La Moneuse 8.00% Saison
Blaugies la Monuese Special Winter 8.50% Winter Saison
Bockor Bellegems Bruin 5.50% Flanders Brown Ale
Bockor Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge 5.50% Unblended Old Lambic
Boelens Santa Bee 9.00% Winter Ale
Bosteels Pauwel Kwak 8.00% Amber
Bosteels Triple Karmeliet 8.00% Triple
Brouwkot kalle 8.50% Triple
Brouwkot Netebuk 6.50% Golden Ale
Brouwkot Vlaskappele 5.00% Scotch Ale
Cantillon Kriek Cherry Lambic
Cantilon Rose De Grambrinus
Cazeau Saison 4.80% Saison w/ Elderflowers
Cazeau Tournay De Noel Dark Saison
Chimay Cinq Cents 8.00% Trappist Triple
Contreras Valier Blonde 6.50% Blonde
Contreras valier Divers 8.50% Triple
Contreras Valier Donker Bruin
Contreras Valier Extra 6.50% IPA
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Bravoure 6.50% Smoke Ale
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Embrasse 9.00% Dark Ale
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Finesse 8.50% Specialty Grain Triple
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Noblesse 5.50% Pale /Golden
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Noblesse Extra Ordinaire 7.00% Dry Hopped Golden
De Dolle Dulle Teve 10.00% Triple
De Dolle Oerbier 9.00% Strong Ale
De Glazen Toren Angelique 8.00% Historic Recipe
De Glazen Toren Canaster 9.50% Winter Scotch
De Glazen Toren Jan De Lichte 7.50% Imperial Wit
De Glazen Toren Ondineke 8.50% Triple
De Glazen Toren Saison De Epre Mere 6.90% Saison
De Glazen Toren Saison de Epre Mere Einejaar 9.50% Saison
De Hoevbrouwers Toria 6.50% Blonde Ale
De Hoevbrouwers Toria Triple 8.60% Triple
De La Senne Equinox 8.00% Winter Ale
De La Senne Taras Boulba 4.50% Blonde/IPA
De La Senne Zinnebir 5.50% Nlonde
De Landtsheer Malheur 10 10.00% Strong Golden
De Poef /Terrapin Monstre Rouge Flemish Red
De Proef Les Deux Brasseurs 8.50% Wild Ale
De Ranke Guldenburg Golden Ale
De Ranke Pere Noel
De Ranke Saison De Dottignies 5.50% Saison
De Struise Black Albert 13.00% Stout
De Struise Black Damantion Black Mes 13.00% Imp Stout aged in Whiskey Barrels
De Struise Black Damantion Coffee Club 13.00% Imp Stout Aged in Rum barrels
De Struise Black Damnation Mocha Bomb 12.00% Imp Stout w/ Coffee Beans in JD Barrels
De Struise Ignis & Flamma 7.00% India Pale Ale
De Struise Pannepot Reserva 2008 10.00% Strong Ale agd in Oak
De Struise Pannepot(Danish Version) 10.00% Strong Ale
De Struise Red Haired Jeanne 7.00% Special Ale
De Struise Rosse 6.00% Amber
De Struise Tjseeses 10.00% Triple Aged on Stonefruit
Deca Wetsoek Ale Triple/ Blonde
Delirium Noel
Delirium Tremens Golden Ale
De Proef Draeckenbier
Dubuisson Scaldis Cuvee Des Trolls 7.00% Golden Ale
Dubuisson Scaldis Noel 12.00% Strong Winter Ale
Dubuisson Scaldis Peche Mel 8.50% Blended Peach Lambic
Dubuisson Scaldis Triple Triple
Dupont Avec Les Bons Vouex 9.50% Winter Saison
Dupont Biere De Miel Saison w/ Honey
Dupont Saison Saison
Duvel green Golden Ale
Ellezelloise Hercule 9.00% Stout
Ellezelloise Quintine Blonde 8.00% Blonde
Fantome Hiver Winter Special Ale
Geants Goliath 9.00% Triple
Geants Gouyasse Blonde
Geants Noel de Geants 8.50% Winter Spiced Ale
Geants Saison Voisin 5.00% Saison
Geants Urchon 7.50% Brown Ale
Gordon Finest Scotch Ale Scotch Ale
Het Alternatief Ambetantik 11.00% Stout
Het Alternatief Bitter Truth 11.00% Triple IPA
Hof Ten Dormaal Amber 8.00% Farmhouse Amber
Hof Ten Dormaal Blonde 8.00% Farmhouse Blonde
Hof Ten Dormaal Dark 6.50% Dark Farmhouse
Hof Ten Dormaal Winter 8.00% Winter Farmhouse
Jandrian -Jandrenouille IV 6.50% Saison
Jandrian -Jandrenouille V Cense 7.50% Dark Saison
Kerkom Bink Triple 9.00% Triple
La Rulles Cuvee Meillieurs Dark Triple
La Rulles Triple Triple
Lefebvre Barbar Winter Bok Winter Bok
Leifmans Cuvee Brut 6.00% Cherry Sour/Wild Ale
Musketeers Troubadour Magma 9.30% Triple IPA
Oud Beersel Framboise Raspberry Lambic
Palm Ale
Rodenbach Red Flemish Red
Rodenbach Vintage 2008 Flemish Red
Roman Sloeber Rossa 7.20% Amber
Schelde Hop Ruiter 8.00% Hoppy Blonde
Silenrieux Noel 9.00% Strong Dark Ale
Silly Enghien Noel 9.00% Winter Triple
Silly La Divine 9.00% Triple Amber
Silly Saison 5.50% Saison
Silly Scotch de Silly 8.00% Scotch Ale
Sint Canarus Triple 7.50% Triple
Slaapmutske Kerstmutske Dark Ale
Slaapmutske Triple Night Cap Triple
St Bernardus Christmas 10.00% Winter Ale
St Feuillien Brune 7.50% Brune
St Feuillien Cuvee De Noel 9.00% Winter Ale
St Feuillien Saison Saison
St Feuillien/Green Flash Biere De L Amitie
St Fueillien Blanche 6.30% Wit
Steenbrugge Triple 8.70% Triple
Stillwater /Max's 25 to one 8.50% Abbey Style Dark
Stillwater Saison Darkly 8.00% Dark Saison
Strubbe Pils 5.00% Pilsner
T' Smisje Vuuve 5.00% Wit
T' Smisje BBBourgondier 12.00% Barleywine
T' Smisje Blonde 6.00% Blonde w/ Lime Blossoms
T' Smisje Kerst 11.00% Dark Ale w/ Coriander
T' Smisje Sleedorn 6.00% Ale w/ Sloeberries
T' Smisje Wostyntje 7.00% Ale w/ Mustard Seeds
T'Gaverhopke Extra 12.00% Quadruple
Van Eecke Leroy Christmas 7.50% Scotch Ale
Van Steenberge Biere Du Boucanier Dark 9.00% Dark Triple
Van Steenberge Biere Du Boucanier Golden 11.00% Golden Ale
Van Steenberge Gulden Draak Vintage 10.50% Dark Triple
Van Steenberge Leute Bok 8.20% Bock
Van Steenberge Oude Zupiers 11.00% Triple
Verhaeghe Echt Kriekenbier Cherry Ale
Stillwater 25 to One w/ Cocoa Nibs(cask)
Stillwater 25 to One(Cask)
Brewers Art Cerberus Triple /Hibuscus & Lemon Peel (Cask)
Brewers Art Saison L Ombre /Cornflowers & Rose Hips (Cask)
Stillwater/Mikkeller Our Side(cask)
Stillwater/Olivers Channel Crossing #3(Cask)

What's new at Max's?

I have just decided to look at Max's website and noticed that it is a new one.  Sleek and smooth, much more info and updated than the last one.  I am glad that they are looking to improve everything else now that the tap lines are new.

Wednesday at Max's...

I was poured a Nugget Nectar as soon as I walked into Max's yesterday.  Can't beat it.  Otter Creek was the pint night, but even though I don't mind their beer, there was just too much on the rest of the list.  Nugget Nectar was followed by Oliver's Biere de Garde.  Although I was intrigued by the Farmhouse ale moniker, it failed to live up to my expectations.  It was a very good beer, but I was looking for some great Belgian farmhouse ale from a very good English style company (I do enjoy many Oliver beers, but this, while good, is thankfully not their full time beer). 

I finished the night with a Leroy Paulus Flemish Red.  I was looking for a sour bomb to finish the night, and what I got was a creamy beer that had a little sourness and tartness.  Thicker in the mouth than I wanted, with a bready taste, not the slightest bit of hops and mild mild acidity.  The best that I can say is that it has a slightly unique taste and was very easy to drink.  I don't know if I would have another, but maybe suggest it for someone breaking into sours.

What have you had lately?

Belgian Beer Fest 2010

Max's Taphouse hosts the Belgian Beer Festival every year (second weekend of February).  As most of the city is paralized by the snowstorm, Max's was roaring with people, and the beer was flowing.  I was able to walk down, a perk of living in the city.

I was able to meet up with other beer fans, bloggers (http://www.beerinbaltimore.com/) and twitterites (@beerinbaltimore, @cdoubleIPA, @beersfordinner, @siana506).  Thanks go out to them for the great day.

Below is the list of beers that I was able to enjoy, hopefully you can get out (or have already been out) to enjoy the beer.  Most of the beer I had were in the smaller sample size.  The only full beer that I had was the Stillwater Stateside Saison, a great beer made by a local guy just breaking into the brewing business.  I am glad to be able to get his stuff from the beginning, because he is going to be big.

The Bruery Two Turtle Doves (cask)- Belgian Dark Ale

Stillwater Ales Stateside Saison (cask)
Silly Saison de Silly- Saison
Geants Urchon- Brown Ale
Sint Carnas Pere Canard- Winter Strong Ale
Sint Carnas Triple
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Emblasse- Strong Dark Ale
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Courage- Dark Wheat
De Dochter Van De Korenaar Noblesse -Pale Ale
Cantillion Iris- Fresh Hop Lambic
Cantillion Gueuze
Cantillion Rose de Grambrinus- Raspberry Lambic
Cazeau Tournay- Blonde
Cazeau Tournay Black- Stout
Cazeau Tournay de Noel- Dark Saison
St. Bernardus Wit
Kerkom Bink Triple

Playing Catch Up

,A little review of the beers that I have had in the past little bit.

A while back, I was finally able to break open my bottle of The Bruery Autumn Maple. We were having steak and a sweet potato to eat that night for dinner. I didn't know what the Autumn Maple would taste like, and was surprised that the most prevalent taste to come would be yams (or sweet potato). I would call it luck, except yams aren't my favorite thing to eat. So if you like yams, find a bottle and see what you think.

A few days later, I broke open a bottle of the Brewer's Art Coup de Boule, a Belgian Strong Ale. It was a good beer, but nothing special. Spices abound in this beer, and trying to figure it out could have been an all night job. Nicely done, smooth drinking beer.

One of my fiance's favorite restaurants in our hometown serves Tex-Mex and is called Terrapin Cantina. The started serving Terrapin ales, which was a nice surprise when we went there with her family a few weeks back. I was served a Terrapin Rye Pale Ale. It was an ok pale ale, with that nice rye bite to it. It was by far the best beer they serve (normally I order a Dos Equis).

Also mixed in there was a trip to Elliotts Pour House. A great beer bar that not many know about. They have a tower with about 20 taps on in (although some are repeat taps). While there I sampled the Clipper City Holy Sheet 2010. I was fortune enough to have a pint of 2009 the week before, and I could notice that they made this abbey not as sweet as its predecessor. Other beers that I had at EPH include the Mendencino Imperial IPA (ok, typical Imperial IPA) and the Old Dominion Oak Barrell Stout (very good stout).

Other beers of note from the past couple of weeks include Tuppers Hop Pocket IPA, North Coast Brother Thelonious abbey and Max's had Stoudt's beers for a Pint Night, and I was pleasantly surprised with their hellesbock.

What have you had lately?

Rare and Obscure at Max's

Stopped in for my typical Wednesday, and discovered some delightful brews.

First off was a Japanese beer: Hitochino Classic. This IPA was very smooth and a little sweeter than what I normally drink. Not much of a hoppy backbone, but the hops were there. I would drink all night long and enjoy it.

Next, I grabbed a Nogne O IPA. This Norwegian beer had the "typical" (I guess the word expected would work better) dry, bitter hop backbone that I expected. The beer was very nice. I would love to have it again.

Last, but expecially not least, I had the Harviestoun Ola Dubh (18 Year). This Scottish dark beer was delicious. Definately not a beer to drink the entire night, but the sweet tasting ale would be great for after dinne/ late night. The alcohol comes through heavily in the nose as well as in the taste. I am happy I tried it, and hopefully in the future I can get some again.

"Ola Dubh" means Black Oil. (Harviestoun also produces a beer called Old Engine Oil that is the basis of Ola Dubh.) The beer is aged in whiskey barrells (from Highland Park Distillary), which is where the 12/18/30/40 numbers come from. The age is the age that the whiskeys were in the barrels. This also is the cause of the

Max's

Started my Wednesday Happy Hour with a Weyerbacher Echo. Good beer, it is a rye beer and you can tell. Tons of rye, but a good balance on the hops and malt. Could go for one right now.

Next I had a Corsendonk Pale Ale. I wouldn't have minded not having this. I wasn't looking for a hoppy beer, but this was over spiced to me. I would have to be in the mood to try it again.

I gave the Acme IPA a shot. After tasting this, I thought it was fine. Nothing great, nothing bad, just an ok IPA. I don't mind it at all. Then I realized it was made by North Coast Brewing. Most of what I get from North Coast starts with Old and ends with Rasputin. It is hard to judge a brewery when you are comparing an IPA to a stout, but I guess it was a little more special.

Finally, I gave the Snake Dog on cask a whirl. This was one beer I knew I wouldn't be disappointed in. I wasn't. Try it, Drink it, enjoy it. It is totally worthwhile (especially on cask).

Yesterday, and every Wednesday

On most Wednesdays, I head to Max's on Broadway after work for the pint night. Many nights they have a good beer, and you keep their pint glass (I have over 60 pint glasses). Last night was a nice night.

The pint of the week was the Sam Adams White Ale. I am not a huge fan of Sam Adams, but I enjoyed the White Ale very much. Probably my favorite of all the beers that I have tried from them. (I have had the Utopias, I was not thrilled.) But the white ale came out good. Also, they gave us the "lager" glass that they spent money on developing. Happy to have it and not pay $10 for it.









While there I was able to sample a few other beers. First off, I was happy to see the Sierra Nevada Harvest (Chico, CA) on tap. I was looking forward to trying this "wet hop" beer. The hops were sent directly from harvesting to the brewery, ensuring the freshest hops were used. (Hence they were still wet.) Delicious fresh taste. Not over hopped. Definately came from the same recipe as their Pale Ale, the Harvest had more of a flowery taste to it. I will be having more.











Finally, I had an Aprilhop from the Dogfish Head Brewery (Dover, DE). It was hard to get past the nose, as the scent was not the most appealing for me, but the brew tasted delicious. If needed, I would drink more, but would rather a 60 or 90 minute IPA.

What has anyone else have?