Who makes a Belgian Triple in SoCal?

[Model 57]

Well, I don't drink ANYTHING alcoholic, but it does sound interesting. I don't mind reading the posts about it. There was a time that I did do some serious drinking in my younger days.

[kcrnmale]

When I graduated HS, I went to live with a Belgium family for the summer as an exchange student. We visited many Belgium cafés to have a beer, but at the time, I didn't like beer and drank warm Coke instead. Today, I LOVE Belgium beer. I've made it in the past too (home brewer-haven't brewed any beer for many years though).

I don't drink any domestic beer (Bud, Miller, etc..) except Sam Adams or a local beer/Micro beer. I simply don't like the taste. In Cleveland, we have a local brewery called Great Lakes, who make an outstanding beer, no matter what style they produce. I used to work at a micro beer/restaurant as an assistant brewer. The place (Burkhardt's) was a former brewery with a history dating back from the late 1800's. It no longer exists, but I can still make my favorite beer in small 5 gallon batches called "Mug Ale".

Making beer is kind of like making orange juice: you can make it the short way, sought of like OJ "from concentrate", or the long way, from actual squeezing of oranges. Beer can be made from already prepared cans of sugar (like HiC cans filled with a thick syrup similar to Molasses), or from scratch: crushing grains to get started. We made beer for the restaurant the short way.

I don't drink alcohol very often anymore because my body just doesn't tolerate it well, even in small amounts. I often fall asleep easily but wake up a few hours later and can't fall back asleep. I'm starting to like wine a little, and would like to learn more about it. I made apple cider wine many years back (horrible), but nobody carries non-pasteurized apple juice anymore because of E-coli fears.

I'm glad you started this thread, as it brings back many fond memories.

[HEMEEE]

Thanks for the great stories kc! I can drink 'em but have never made any. Don't really have the desire to, but I do find it interesting. Before we go to streetrod runs I like to check online to see what microbreweries are in town... I love trying new ones; not only is there great variety, but the food is usually creative and outstanding as well.
My favorite beer at the moment is Hefeweizen.

[Lik2race]

Originally Posted by HEMEEE

My favorite beer at the moment is Hefeweizen.

LOL.....MY favorite beer is COLD.

[kcrnmale]

Yes, a good wheat beer is refreshing! I love going to micro breweries. I always order the beer sampler. I know it's a fad that has past, but there are still plenty of places to choose from in almost any area.

Some notes:

Beer was a safe beverage to drink in many European cities at a time when sanitation issues were a true concern. Since you had to boil the wort to produce beer, any contaminant that cause illness was killed. This was at a time when people didn't make the connection that boiling water was a good thing in terms of germs.

India pale ale is known for it's high hoppy flavor (bitterness) which is a result of the long trip by ship to India by the British (India was a former British colony). Hops helps preserve beer by preventing the growth of bacteria as beer is essentially sugar water-something bacteria LOVES!

Hops is supposedly a close relative to marijuana. Fresh hops often smells and looks similar to weed. Fresh beer often has a warm calming effect that some think is a result of chemicals similar to cannabinoids found in marijuana.

The big beer producers like Budweiser often use a variety of different types of hops in their beers. The reasoning is to maintain the consistent taste one would identify as Budweiser. Hops is an agricultural product that is susceptible to changes in weather like too much rain or a drought. By using several different varieties, if one variety isn't available for what ever the reason, the beer taste will not change without that particular hop being present.

Budweiser also has a distinct aftertaste due to their use of rice in the making of their beer. Rice tends to produce a light crisp flavor that I don't particularly enjoy.

Now back to the 300.....

[HEMEEE]

Originally Posted by kcrnmale

Yes, a good wheat beer is refreshing! I love going to micro breweries. I always order the beer sampler. I know it's a fad that has past, but there are still plenty of places to choose from in almost any area.

Some notes:

Beer was a safe beverage to drink in many European cities at a time when sanitation issues were a true concern. Since you had to boil the wort to produce beer, any contaminant that cause illness was killed. This was at a time when people didn't make the connection that boiling water was a good thing in terms of germs.

India pale ale is known for it's high hoppy flavor (bitterness) which is a result of the long trip by ship to India by the British (India was a former British colony). Hops helps preserve beer by preventing the growth of bacteria as beer is essentially sugar water-something bacteria LOVES!

Hops is supposedly a close relative to marijuana. Fresh hops often smells and looks similar to weed. Fresh beer often has a warm calming effect that some think is a result of chemicals similar to cannabinoids found in marijuana.

The big beer producers like Budweiser often use a variety of different types of hops in their beers. The reasoning is to maintain the consistent taste one would identify as Budweiser. Hops is an agricultural product that is susceptible to changes in weather like too much rain or a drought. By using several different varieties, if one variety isn't available for what ever the reason, the beer taste will not change without that particular hop being present.

Budweiser also has a distinct aftertaste due to their use of rice in the making of their beer. Rice tends to produce a light crisp flavor that I don't particularly enjoy.

Now back to the 300.....

I like a GOOD I.P.A. and I'm definitely with ya on the Bud comments...

I may be in Columbus in July for a streetrod show, you'll have to let me know if you've found any good microbreweries in that area...

Back to the 300?? Okay then...
300 bottles of beer on the wall, 300 bottles of beer.... take one down and pass it around, 299 bottles of beer on the wall (sung to the tune of ...)

[JonW]

I'm so glad we picked the right place for our next meet! Not sure if HOB has a Belgian Trippel, but they do have quite a selection. For Linda, they have Widmer Hefe on tap (much better than the bottled one).

Cheers!

[II kings 9:20]

I am late to the party, for those who feel this is a "car forum only" DO NOT READ THIS, CHANGE THE CHANNEL. We have venues for all kinds of topics from credit card fraud to stock tips, avoid these topics if you are offended.

I love Belgian and German beers, most imports. Molson Golden is also high on the list.

What about light beers? St. Pauli Girl

[II kings 9:20]

Originally Posted by HEMEEE

I like a GOOD I.P.A. and I'm definitely with ya on the Bud comments...

I may be in Columbus in July for a streetrod show, you'll have to let me know if you've found any good microbreweries in that area...

Back to the 300?? Okay then...
300 bottles of beer on the wall, 300 bottles of beer.... take one down and pass it around, 299 bottles of beer on the wall (sung to the tune of ...)

If you are talking Columbus, OH there are a couple in German Village, Hosters is one and in the Short North Barleys. My wife and I usually go to that show every year. It use to be downtown in the streets along the river and It is now at the fairgrounds the last couple of years. Let me know if you are in town and we'll see you at the show. There is also Greater's for ice cream and Schmidt's for Bavarian cream puffs

[HEMEEE]

Originally Posted by II kings 9:20

If you are talking Columbus, OH there are a couple in German Village, Hosters is one and in the Short North Barleys. My wife and I usually go to that show every year. It use to be downtown in the streets along the river and It is now at the fairgrounds the last couple of years. Let me know if you are in town and we'll see you at the show. There is also Greater's for ice cream and Schmidt's for Bavarian cream puffs

Thanks II k, I'll add these to my itinerary if we work it out andit would be great fun to hook up... I'll keep you posted!