Belgian Beer Tasting Dinner at the Brasserie Beck March 17, 2009

Brasserie Beck

1101 K Street, N.W.

Washnigton, DC 20005

(202) 408-1717

Usually not excited about attending a beer tasting dinner, but, when I received the announcement in my inbox late in February and looked through the menu, I thought to myself that just for trying out the dishes put out in Robert Wiedmaier's Brasserie Beck's kitchen, the dinner is worth attending. So, asked my lovely wife Alinda, if she was up for a Belgian Beer Tasting Dinner, she said, let's go. And we did. As we walked inside the restaurant, we saw Robert enjoying a glass of beer with a few of the importers. Robert introduced Xavier Van Honsebrouck from the Van Honsebrouck brewery; Alain Delaet from the Huyghe brewery and Charles Leclef from the Het Anker brewery. Van Honsebrouck makes Kasteel and St. Louis Beers, Huyghe brews Delirium Tremens and Floris beers, and Het Anker makes the Gouden Carolus beers.

Aperitif-

The event started as we entered the private dining room in the back of the Brasserie Beck restaurant and we were handed a glass of beer with about 2 inches of top, the Floris Pomme "Apple" by L. Huyghe Brewery (Wetten Importers). This beer was golden in color pours with small white head. The nose was Granny Smith apples (sour green apples) with a slight hint of cinnamon. Sweet to the taste at about 3.5% alcohol. There is 25% fruit juice is added.

First Course-

Pan Seared Skate Wing Ragout of Salsify, Dill Beurre Blanc. The fish was cooked to perfection and the dill in the butter sauce was just the right amount that did not overwhelm the sauce with dill flavor.

Gouden Carolus Triple & Brigand- The Gouden Carolus comes from Hert Anker Brewery has a rich golden color with a white head. This beer is packed with complex flavors of spices, rose water and herbs. This beer has 9.0% alcohol by volume. The Brigand has a deep golden color with mousse white head. Has a sweet spicy nose with hints of light fruits. Very strong and spicy beer that begs for food.

Second Course-

Duck Sausage, Red Currants & Pistachio, White Bean Puree- The duck sausage was mild in flavor.

Delirium Nocturnum & Gouden Carolus Grand Cru of the Emperor- The Delirium Nocturnum has a rich brown color with white head medium in body with chocolate malt sweetness, dark ripe fruit and sweet raisins on the finish at 8.5% alcohol. The Gouden Carolus Grand Cru of the Emperor has a deep rich ruby red ale color with a beige head. Complex taste of red fruits, toffee, cookies, rum soaked raisins, brown sugar, spices, banana and alcohol. 10% alcohol by volume.

Third Course-

Pheasant Roulade with Wild Mushrooms Sauce of Pheasant & Ghent Mustard-

Gouden Carolus Triple & Gouden Carolus Hopsinjour- The Gouden Carolus Triple has a rich golden color with a thick carbonated head, medium body and bitter on the finish. This beer is the first of its kind from Het Anker made with 4 different styles of hops "Hallertau, Spalt, Golding and Sazz" at 8% alcohol by volume.
Intermezzo Cheese Course-

Delirium Tremens Cheese- The Delirium Tremens cheese resembled a mild cheddar cheese, the colorful candies and nuts were good complement.

Delirium Tremens- This beer has a clear golden color with a medium white head. Medium body with a lot of fruit and citrus aromas. At 8.5% Alcohol by volume.

Dessert Course-

Trio of Chocolate Mousse- This triple chocolate moose was outstanding and the sauce with pistachios was light and elegant.



St. Louis Framboise & Kasteel Rouge- One of my favorite beers of the evening, this beer has deep ruby red color with thick pink head