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Tag Archives: Wendy Littlefield

Terroir and Beer – a conversation between Belgian Experts and Thirsty Pilgrim continues

Joe Stange – the genius behind Thirsty Pilgrim – and I struck up a correspondence early in the summer. We both love Belgium and Belgian beer – but come at them from different optics – since he is a writer and I am an importer. Here is the latest in the back and forth. Oh…and if you are going to Belgium with beer in mind you might want to pick up a copy of his book, Around Brussels in 80 Beers. It is selling like hotcakes and is available on his site.  Oh, and I will incur Don’s wrath if I do not invite you to read his essay on Beer and Terroir aka “Why We Root for Rocky”.  If you want to weigh in on the topic, we suggest you do so on the Thirsty Pilgrim site.

Friday, September 30, 2011
Lots More on Beer and Terroir.

Just to catch you up: Remember that Washington Post article on “Belgium’s upstart innovators”? I know, this is the third time I’ve brought it up. But it’s where the conversation started, thanks to the quote from Wendy Littlefield of Vanberg & Dewulf.

She said that brewers like Alvinne and Struise are “really, arguably, are hurting the very culture that they claim to be arising out of.”

Hang on, I thought. Now that is interesting. Not sure if I agree — and it’s worth noting that Littlefield says the quote was out of context — but it’s interesting nonetheless. So Littlefield and I struck up an email exchange on things like tradition and sense of place in light of brewers like Alvinne, Struise, Mikkeller, and others. I referred to them as part of a postmodern, transnational craft beer scene. (Insert “absolute elite” jab here.)… read more

Grossman, Cilurzo, Arthur, Shelton, 12% and Vanberg & DeWulf. All in a week’s work for TRIA

Grossman, Cilurzo, Arthur, Shelton, 12% and Vanberg & DeWulf. All in a week’s work for TRIA

Master Brewers (and importers) come to Tria Philadelphia

Tria (www.triacafe.com) Philadelphia  announced their schedule for June this afternoon. As predicted by the owner (but shocking to us) the Vanberg & DeWulf event is sold out. For the sake of posterity we’re recording the lineup of beer pioneers who will be showing up. Tria  is one of our favorite cafes in the country.  See how Tria describe themselves, you’ll understand why:

Welcome to Tria, Philadelphia’s wine, cheese and beer cafe. We serve real wines, cheeses and beers crafted by passionate people. We relentlessly seek out the best products both locally and from around the world. We dig flavor. Our ever-changing fermentation menus are complemented by a cafe menu served from opening to late night. Don’t know the difference between Cabernet and Carmignano? Don’t worry. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff will help guide you through a memorable wine, cheese and beer experience.

Philly Beer Week
June 2011
It’s Philly Beer Week time! We think our classes below speak for themselves, so go ahead and check them out. And scroll to the bottom for one bad-ass wine class. Barolo in June? Why not! (Click on the class titles to register.)

Vanberg & Dewulf: 30 Years of Belgian Beer
Don Feinberg, Vanberg & Dewulf
Thursday, June 9   •   6:30-8:00 pm   •   $60
Location: Tria Fermentation School

When Don Feinberg and his wife, Wendy Littlefield, started importing Belgian beer, there were just five Belgian beers in the country. They introduced us to Duvel, Rodenbach, Saison Dupont and the Lambics of Frank Boon. Don and Wendy also founded (and later sold) Brewery Ommegang, the first U.S. brewery dedicated to Belgian-style, all bottle-conditioned, cork-finished beer. Today they work exclusively with Belgian breweries that are independent, family-run and artisanal in their approach. Come explore today’s wonderful Vanberg & Dewulf portfolio and meet a legendary beer pioneer.

Sierra Nevada: From the Beginning
Ken Grossman & Brian Grossman, Sierra Nevada
Sunday, June 5   •   3:00-4:30 pm   •   $55
Location: Radisson-Warwick Hotel, 17th & Locust

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company helped create our nation’s craft beer movement in 1980. Without Sierra Nevada, we might all be drinking Old Milwaukee. Thirty years later, brewing pioneer Ken Grossman still runs the show, with annual production growing from 1,000 barrels way back then to over one million barrels today. Hear Ken and his son Brian tell the Sierra Nevada story, which is, in essence, the story of craft beer itself. The story will come alive with nine Sierra Nevada brews, ranging from game-changing Sierra Nevada Pale Ale to a rare keg of Wood-Aged Life and Limb.

The Not-So-Fine-Print: This class will be held at the Radisson-Warwick Hotel, not Tria Fermentation School. Due to the nature of this event, we cannot offer refunds or credits. Please print out your receipt and bring to the class for admission.

Russian River: Sour Session #1
Vinnie Cilurzo, Russian River Brewing Company
Sunday, June 5   •   7:00-8:30 pm   •   $65
Location: Radisson-Warwick Hotel, 17th & Locust

Lucky Philadelphia – we’re one of the few locales outside California to be treated to the sublime beers of Russian River Brewing Company. Now we’re being treated to a visit by brewer-owner, Vinnie Cilurzo! In this extraordinary session, Vinnie will guide us through a selection of Russian River sour beers, including Batch 001 of Temptation and Consecration from his personal cellar. Need we say more?

The Not-So-Fine-Print: This class will be held at the Radisson-Warwick Hotel, not Tria Fermentation School. Due to the nature of this event, we cannot offer refunds or credits. Please print out your receipt and bring to the class for admission.

Port Brewing: Sour Session #2
Tomme Arthur, Port Brewing Company
Monday, June 6   •   6:30-8:00 pm   •   $60
Location: Tria Fermentation School

Brewer extraordinaire Tomme Arthur is unbelievably prolific, and there is not enough space here to list the awards and accolades his beers have earned over the years. He’s a Southern Cali beer rock star, and we’re eagerly awaiting his third visit to Fermentation School. This class is quite special; Tomme is shipping us five super scarce Port Brewing sour ales that embody the term “Not Available In Stores.” (At least most of the time.) Legendary beers like Duck-Duck-Gooze and Cuvee de Tomme. If you like it tart, this one’s for you.

12% Imports & Shelton Brothers: The Odd Couple
Brian Ewing, 12% Imports / Dan Shelton, Shelton Brothers
Wednesday, June 8   •   6:30-8:00 pm   •   $60
Location: Tria Fermentation School

Dan Shelton is one of our most influential and entertainingly outspoken beer importers, bringing us exquisite brews such as Cantillon and Mikkeller. Brian Ewing is the new kid on the block, discovering a new wave of distinct and diminutive breweries. They are quite different (you’ll see!), but they share an approach to great beer. For this class, Brian and Dan will each select four beers from four different breweries in four different countries, focusing on stuff they love from the brewers that have the most interesting and compelling stories. This will be a uniquely spirited and delicious discussion.