The BGBW Awards event at Big Penny Social on 27th November 2024 looks set to offer an exciting and memorable evening. Once again, VISITFLANDERS, as one of the sponsors of the annual BGBW Awards and dinner presentation, are proud to present another thirst-quenching selection of beers that demonstrate the diversity of styles and tastes on offer from Belgian brewers. This year we have no fewer than 11 different beers, encompassing both traditional and newer styles. Each brewery has a story to tell, whether it’s about the history of the brewery, the specific brewing techniques, or the regional and cultural significance behind their beer. This year, attendees will have the opportunity to meet skilled and passionate brewers from three renowned Belgian breweries: De Coureur, Kestemont, and Kazematten. Each of these breweries brings its own unique story and brewing philosophy and will be inviting the audience to sample some of Flanders‘ finest craft beers.
Joining us from Leuven is Bart Delvaux from De Coureur Brewery. The brewery’s name, translating to “The Cyclist” in English, reflects Bart’s deep love for one of Flanders’ most iconic pastimes—cycling. With his extensive brewing experience, having worked at breweries both in the US and Belgium, Bart and his wife founded their own microbrewery and taproom in 2018. But De Coureur is more than just a microbrewery; it’s a place where Bart crafts a wide variety of delicious craft beers to suit all tastes and is also a taproom.
Bart is also involved in a unique Anglo-Belgian collaboration with brewers from Norwich. This partnership produced Strangers Red, a special ale inspired by the historic connections between Flanders and Norwich. In the 18th century, the natural red dye Madder was used to dye cloth, a tradition that influences the flavour and spirit of this beer. Brewed with the same recipe in both the UK and Belgium, Strangers Red (5.2% ABV) is a smooth, medium-bodied red ale that will appeal to both seasoned craft beer enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Guests will also be able to taste the Norwich brewed version. Bart will also be bringing Colleke Cream Ale (4.5% ABV), a light, sessionable beer made with Pilsner malt, with subtle additions of rice and corn for a smooth, crisp finish. The use of Goldings hops imparts gentle floral and herbal notes, making this a refreshing choice. Finally, Bart will offer Tripel Geluc (7.2% ABV), an elegant ale brewed with coriander seed and cardamom. These spices infuse the beer with warm, spicy, and citrusy undertones, beautifully enhancing the natural fruity esters from the yeast. These three distinctive beers offer a perfect tasting experience, showcasing Bart’s skill, creativity, and his dedication to blending tradition with innovation.
Rudi Ghequire, co-owner of Kazematten Brewery in Ypres, will also be joining. Ypres, known for its World War I history, once had nearly thirty breweries in the 17th century, though only five reopened after the war. Kazematten Brewery was founded by Hans Depypere (CEO of St. Bernardus Brewery) and Rudi Ghequire, with a dream to revive brewing in the city. The brewery is located in the historic casemates beneath Ypres’ ramparts, dating back to the 1680s, marking the return of a municipal brewery to the city after more than 35 years. These casemates are also well-known for being the location where British soldiers also printed the satirical The Wipers Times here. Kazematten has been brewing its Wipers Times beers in this historic location since 2014, celebrating its 10th anniversary recently.
Rudi will be bringing three different styles of his beer to the Awards. Wipers Times Blond (6.2% ABV) is a blonde, top-fermented specialty beer brewed with four grains and locally grown hops. It features a vibrant golden-yellow colour and a creamy head. The beer offers a balanced taste, with a harmonious blend of hops, malt, and grains, while herbs enhance its aroma and provide a crisp, refreshing finish. It’s a flavourful and aromatic beer, offering a delightful sensory experience. Wipers Times Dubbel (6.5% ABV) is a full-bodied brown ale brewed with local hops in the style of a classic abbey beer, using double the malt of Wipers Times Blond. It has a rich aroma of spices like star anise and clove, with fruity notes of apple and orange blossom. An easy to drink beer with a smooth, nutty finish, a creamy head, and a deep reddish hue. Last, but not least, Wipers Times Tripel (8.2% ABV), is a fruity, full-bodied top-fermented beer brewed with four grains, four spices, and local hops. It features a fragrant aroma of ripe fruits like mango, apricot, and banana, with spicy notes of coriander, orange peel, and liquorice. The beer has a creamy texture and a balanced, full-bodied flavour with subtle fruit undertones.
The Kestemont Brewery, located in Pajottenland near Brussels, is one of just 20 remaining lambic breweries in the region. Founded on the historic site of the Goossens Brewery, dating back to 1767, it preserves centuries-old brewing traditions. After years of abandonment, the site was renovated by the Goossens family and purchased by the Kestemont family in 2016. They brewed their first batch of lambic in 2019, and in 2021, a new brewing hall was installed, reviving brewing in the town after nearly 50 years. The site has been protected as historical heritage since 2017. Wim Krieckemans and Lara Kestermont will represent the brewery.
Wim and Lara will bring four unique lambic beers to the awards in London: Kestemont’ s Blueberry Lambic (5.5% ABV), which blends traditional lambic with earthy blueberry flavour, fermented for four months and bottle-conditioned for a surprising taste; Old Geuze (6.4% ABV), an organic blend of one, two, and three-year-old lambic aged in oak casks, with a sparkling, balanced sour-sweet flavour, earning it the title “champagne of beers”; Apricot (5.5 % ABV), a fruit beer with 300 grams of apricot per litre, blending sweetness and intensity, awarded Best Fruit Lambic at the 2024 World Beer Awards; and Old Cherries (5.5 % ABV), a traditional, organic Geuze with a balanced flavour profile. All the Kestemont beers feature a rabbit on the label inspired by a historical nickname given to the city’s residents by Emperor Charles in the 1500s, who referred to them as “the rabbit eaters”.
Come and visit the VISITFLANDERS bar at the British Guild of Beer Writers Awards dinner from 18:00 on 27th November 2024 to meet the talented brewers from Flanders, as well as Anita Rampall and Andrew Daines from VISITFLANDERS. It’s a fantastic opportunity to sample exceptional Belgian beers, learn more about the craft behind them, and connect with the passionate people behind the brews. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing a memorable evening of great beer and conversation. See you there!
25 November 2024
Notes to Editors:
About VISITFLANDERS
This Flemish government agency is the official tourist organisation for Flanders. The organisation strives for the sustainable development and promotion of tourism to and within Flanders, with a view to boosting the economic return, employment and the well-being of its inhabitants. www.visitflanders.com
For more information please contact :
Anita Rampall
anita.rampall@visitflanders.com
0207 299 3594
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