Sierra Nevada partners with Trappist monks

August 9th, 2010 | Posted by Real Beer

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has announced a partnership with the Trappist-Cistercian Abbey of New Clairvaux to create a new brand of Belgian-inspired beers called Ovila.
A press release from the brewery states, “Sierra Nevada and the Trappist-Cistercian Abbey of New Clairvaux are working to bring this centuries-old tradition to America with Ovila — the nation’s only authentic Trappist-style Abbey ale.”
Each of three beers in a series will be available on a seasonal basis. The first is scheduled for release in March of 2011, a Belgian-styleDubbel. The second beer in the series, planned for July, will be aSaison, the traditional Belgian-style farmhouse ale. The third will be released in time for the holidays. It will be a “Quadrupel,” rich with dark fruit flavors and the unique wine-like characters of dark strong abbey ales.
Proceeds from this project will benefit the monks of the Abbey of New Clairvaux in their efforts to rebuild an architectural marvel — a 12th century, early-gothic Cistercian chapter house — on their grounds in Vina, California a few miles north of Sierra Nevada’s home in Chico.

The medieval chapterhouse — Santa Maria de Ovila — was begun in 1190, near the village of Trillo, Spain. Cistercian monks lived, prayed, and worked there for nearly 800 years. In 1931, California newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst purchased the abbey and shipped it to Northern California. Hearst’s plans were never realized, and the stones fell into disrepair. In 1994, the Trappist-Cistercian monks of the Abbey of New Clairvaux, gained possession of the ruins, and began the stone-by-stone reconstruction of the historic abbey.

Brussels Bar Crawl

http://www.brusselsbarcrawl.com/

Duvel gets De Koninck

Puurs, 5 August 2010) Duvel Moortgat nv has reached agreement on the acquisition of 100% of the shares of the Brouwerij De Koninck group. With this acquisition, Duvel Moortgat expands its portfolio of specialty beers; it also aims to reinvigorate the De Koninck beer brand.

Brouwerij De Koninck is located in the heart of Antwerp and has a unique bond with the city. The De Koninck "Bolleke" is most popular in Antwerp and the surrounding area as well as in the Netherlands, but it also enjoys strong brand recognition throughout Belgium.

Brouwerij De Koninck started its activities in 1827 when Jozeph De Koninck bought a coach house on the border between Antwerp and Berchem, currently known as "Afspanning De Hand". These premises were converted into a brewery in 1833. Since then, the image of a hand has been immortalized in the brewery's logo. Over the years, the Van den Bogaert and Van Bauwel families succeeded in building De Koninck into a valuable brand with a solid local reputation.

Bernard Van den Bogaert states: "This acquisition is a logical step. Because of the small size of our brewery, we have experienced a lack of commercial strength and distribution channels. During the last couple of years, Duvel Moortgat has proven that it possesses the right experience. And the fact that the two breweries have maintained an excellent relationship for generations adds an extra dimension to this acquisition."

Brouwerij De Koninck experienced its greatest success during the nineties, achieving a yearly production level of 130,000 hectoliters. As a result of a shrinking beer market and a strong decline in the pale ale segment, today less than 50% of that volume remains.

Duvel Moortgat is also acquiring significant real estate, mainly located in the Antwerp region. This comprises the brewery site, about seven other properties and 63 cafés, including Antwerp icons such as "Den Engel" at the Grote Markt and the "Boer van Tienen" at Mechels Plein.

The acquisition also includes beer trader Brouwerij De Valk, based in Wijnegem. De Valk has grown to become a key supplier in the Antwerp region, delivering to hundreds of cafés and restaurants on a daily basis.

Michel Moortgat (CEO of Duvel Moortgat) states: "We are very pleased to be able to incorporate Brouwerij De Koninck into the Duvel Moortgat Group. The "Bolleke" is not only a strong brand but also a quality specialty beer that fits perfectly into Duvel Moortgat's range (Duvel, Chouffe, Maredsous, Liefmans, Vedett, Bel Pils). Our international distribution, including our own branches in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, the UK and the USA, provides an ideal operating base to progressively develop De Koninck. It did not take us long to reach agreement: family values and traditions are concepts that both breweries feel strongly about."

The history of Duvel Moortgat dates back to 1871. Duvel Moortgat is an independent brewing group, and differentiates itself with its focus on specialty beers. Duvel Moortgat is renowned worldwide as the preeminent producer of bottle-conditioned, top-fermentation beers, a dominant position it owes largely to the success of its best-selling Duvel brand.

A pioneer in fermentation and re-fermentation techniques, Duvel Moortgat has grown to become not only the 4th largest brewery in Belgium but also the absolute market leader in terms of operational profitability.

Duvel Moortgat nv has been listed on Euronext Brussels since June 1999.

 http://www.duvelmoortgat.be 
Posted by: Todd on Sunday - August 08, 2010 - 14:47 UTC
Topic Origin: Beer News

Sebago

The VP and RC will be going to a Sebago tasting in September and will report back at that time with there findings. But first an unbiased review of there IPA.

Hampton Falls

When in or around Hampton Falls be sure to check out the Hampton Falls Village Market.  Owner George Prive and his son Mark (the beer manager) have over 350 craft and import beers.  Mark is one in the photo.
On your way to Hampton beach or going on to Maine it's a very good beer stop.  The day we were there they were having a Sebago tasting. 82 Lafayette Rd, Hampton Falls, NH 03844 603 926 5840

Armsby Abbey

After a long weekend with the VP.  Discussing the finer points of beer. Putting a hurt on the local lobster population and attending a Sebago tasting.   More on the Sebago in the next post.  We still managed to stop in Worcester MA to check out the Armsby Abbey.  Some of you may have read Landman’s  glowing post from a year ago.  Well Landman does not lie.  What a great place.  Downtown Worcester was dead.  Armby Abbey at 144 Main Street was hopping for brunch.  No waiting, but most of the tables were full.  We got a table out side so Ringo could enjoy the place as well.  Started off with a Pretty Things Jack D’ Or.  They say it's an American saison style beer.  Not very saison to me but I lean to the Hennipen side of American saison.  A very well made beer nun the less.   Any who.  Beer two was from the 21st Amendment Brewery called Bitter American.  I have not heard of this brewery and was very pleasantly surprised.  Here is a class of beer very under represented in these United States.  Very well crafted and just a little more hoppy than a English bitter.   It went very well with the pulled pork quiche.  A lot of the food is sourced locally.  The bride had mac and cheese and it was excellent.  The Boy had the Belgian waffle. Very nice as well.    They own a second bar in Worcester called The Dive Bar.  Looks like I need to go back.   Oh and I see they are having a Allagash beer dinner on my birthday.