Beer?

[Aperitif]

I'm going to Italy tomorrow; goodbye beer, hello peroni or some other shïte...

I just know you will have read this article, but here it is again to jog your memory, trebottigliemcginty

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

If you're not into beer politics, skip this post!

Otherwise, a heart felt read from Cantillon.


"Quintessence 2016 is over.
We had a great time thanks to all of you, Cantillon friends.
I won’t forget our volunteers who worked hard at every tasting spot, in the kitchen, shop, etc...

I have waited the end of the event to speak in more detail about the change in the organisation and why I decided to do it.

I got a lot of congratulations about the decision to cancel the inclusion of Del Borgo.
Some, even if they agreed, didn’t understand why I wouldn’t present beers brewed before Inbev took the Italian brewery over.
To be honest, my first intention was to cancel the Del Borgo presence and invite Leonardo Di Vicenzo as independent brewer with the beer he brewed before the Inbev repurchase.
I have a lot of respect for Leo and in my opinion, he deserved to be present.

But this idea was more due to our friendship and was not the best one to react to the last events. In such a case, a firm decision is the best, all or nothing.

It was nothing, and here are my personal reasons why.

It was first ideological but also due to our history, the history of the Cantillon brewery.
In the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s, the big industry bought over a lot of small craft breweries.
At this time, because of contracts enforced with bars by the industrial breweries, the most important way of beer sales for craft breweries was closed.
Competition was no longer equal and a lot of small producers had a lot of trouble, and had no other choice to shut their doors or to join the industrial side.
In 20 years time, we lost a lot of beautiful breweries, a lot of great beers and a lot of history!

We are very fortunate to live today through a new craft beer revolution, but I have the feeling that the big industry will adapt, at a global level, with the same politics they used in Belgium forty years ago.
In Belgium, decades ago, the reaction against this monopoly arrived too late, the power was already in the other camp.
That’s why, in my opinion, we need to react as fast as possible and that’s also why I couldn’t accepted an Inbev member in the Cantillon brewery.
Today the big industry looks to craft brewers on how to build the best image possible, then says “look, we are like you”.
They are not, and if they need to emulate us, I’m sure we are doing well enough without them.

Understand me, this personal point of view has nothing to do with the beer quality.
Some “industrial” beer is well made and craft doesn’t always mean quality.
Small industry is mainly working with small producers from the region.
When you drink a craft beer, you give work to more than one craft producer!
Unfortunately, I’m sure it’s not the same when you are drinking a beer produced by big industry.

If we allow big industry to take over what we've built, history will repeat itself...and I hope we won’t live again the events of Belgium forty years ago.

Jean Van Roy"

Hurrah to Jean Van Roy!

 

[User169]

Weekend sorted.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Moretti la Rosso, more malt than hop, typical continental stylee, >7% though, not bad acksh.

 

[theclaud]

Mini beer festival five minutes from my house tonight!

 

[nickyboy]

Free beer

It's pretty nice. Decent bitterness but not enough hops for me. Still, it was free on the cash back and free beer always tastes good

 

[Aperitif]

Moretti la Rosso, more malt than hop, typical continental stylee, >7% though, not bad acksh.

View attachment 128274

Nice photo - always a soupçon of granito...

 

[stephec]

Tonight's offerings from the Brew Dog Gods - try saying that once you've supped them.

 

[User169]

Tonight's offerings from the Brew Dog Gods - try saying that once you've supped them.

View attachment 128302

Go right, go left, go middle.

 

[Aperitif]

2 'B's... and London's' pencil'.

Well, I was thirsty and had just missed the train I required! Oddbins - opposite the Barrowboy & Banker have a nice selection of chilled and artful beers. Brought back memories of a pleasant day in London last year (although I doubt it would do that for the 'Arbormeister' of this thread )
Just for a canny reference...

A 'harlequin' of colour - good luck to both teams tonight.

 

[martint235]

After 34 hours of being chair of a tech bridge this week I'm settling down to a couple of "Proper Job"

 

[stephec]

Go right, go left, go middle.

Is that how I'll end up walking?

 

[nickyboy]

Shout out for London boozer advice.......

Staying in the Piccadilly West End on Shaftesbury Avenue next week. Aside the obvious Soho Brewdog, any recommendations within easy walking distance? I have a deal with my client that I'll stay all week so long as he pays all my bar bills, no questions asked....I don't think he knows what he's let himself in for

Suitable beer establishments natch....but cool cocktail bars also welcome

 

[MossCommuter]

Shout out for London boozer advice.......

Staying in the Piccadilly West End on Shaftesbury Avenue next week. Aside the obvious Soho Brewdog, any recommendations within easy walking distance? I have a deal with my client that I'll stay all week so long as he pays all my bar bills, no questions asked....I don't think he knows what he's let himself in for

Suitable beer establishments natch....but cool cocktail bars also welcome

Lamb and flag

 

[srw]

Shout out for London boozer advice.......

Staying in the Piccadilly West End on Shaftesbury Avenue next week. Aside the obvious Soho Brewdog, any recommendations within easy walking distance? I have a deal with my client that I'll stay all week so long as he pays all my bar bills, no questions asked....I don't think he knows what he's let himself in for

Suitable beer establishments natch....but cool cocktail bars also welcome

10 Find and enter drinking establishment
20 Do I like it?
30 If not then GOTO 10 else order drink
40 Do I still like it?
50 If not then GOTO 10 else GOTO 30