wine with a beef braised in beer dish

[Botafogo]

The biere in question "Oud Bruin" is labeled in Belgiaum as "Burgundy" and fabulously demonstrates the origins of flemmish brewing culture: Until climate changes in the middle ages, they could make wine in Belgium and when it became too cold to do so anymore they did not look to the germans for inspiration but applied wine technology and methods (barrel fermentation, aging in the bottles on the lees like Champagne and others) to barley and other ingredients. The results are the most varied, complex and food friendly bieres in the world, ranging from citrus and coriander scented Wit Bieres that remind one of Alsatian Muskats to the robust and spicy, 12% abv Chateauneuf du Pape wannabe Trappist dubbels, with an entire cuisine dedicated to them. If you have not tried a representative sample of the more than 200 different styles (not labels, STYLES) made in the land where the Brewer is King, you are seriously missing out on one of life's great gourmet pleasures.

AND, the fact that a MAGNUM of eight year old Chimay Grand Cru Reserve can be had for under $25 and 750ml bottles of most for under $8 makes them the perfect budget stretcher so you can afford to try those overpriced California wines.......

Roberto

[This message has been edited by Botafogo (edited 03-01-2001).]