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Modeste Beer Festival -Atoned & Stoned

Ginger Beer, Gluten-free beer

To Beer or Not to Beer

The Antwerp Beer College which organises Antwerp’s main beer event, the Modeste Beer Festival, had a problem with Ginger Tipple. Legally in Belgium it is not a beer as it is brewed without any grains or malts. On the other hand, it tastes similar to a beer, is a great gluten-free alternative and they want beer-lovers to giver it a try at the festival.

The festival is named of Modeste De Koninck, one of the main founders of the De Koninck brewery, Antwerp’s main brewhouse. The event is held in one of the premises of De Koninck 50 meters from the main brewery over the first weekend of October. 25 brewers offer their beverages in the main hall and outside there are some other stands for beer related products such as jewelry, foods and sauces.

What could they do to accommodate Ginger Tipple?

Creative Thinking

After a couple of pints, they decided to invite Ginger Tipple to exhibit, but not in the main hall. Everybody is happy, the Antwerp Beer College has not compromised on its pure definition of beer and Ginger Tipple is happy to attend.

Day of AtonementGinger Beer, Gluten-free beer

The next problem was that the first day of the festival is the Day of Atonement, the holiest Jewish day of the year! No problem they said. My stand will be for Dame Jeane‘s range of mustards and sauces on Saturday, and I will be allowed to exhibit on Sunday – only after proof of my atonement. As good or not so good Catholics, they quite like the idea of confession one day a year. By the way, Patrick Theunissen produces a wonderful range of champagne styled beers.

Support Ginger Tipple

Take a break on Sunday and visit the Modeste Beer Festival and support Ginger Tipple!

Looking forward to seeing you there.

 

 

 

Golden Hops Writes About Ginger Tipple

New Beer Magazine

BelgiBeer recently launched its new beer magazine, Golden Hops. Available in English, French and Dutch, it takes a closer look at some of Belgium’s top breweries and other stories about beer, hops etc.

BelgiBeer also  has a blog which has some interesting articles, especially those written by this blogger 🙂 My review of Duvel’s recently launched bourbon barrel aged beer can be read here.

Ginger Tipple

Of course, they had to write an article about Belgium’s newest take on the definition of beer, Ginger Tipple. While I am not crazy about the picture they took of me outside the micro-brewery, it was a good article. It can be read here.

Ginger Beer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Westvleteren

One of the other perks of writing for a beer magazine is that I get to drink some absolutely wonderful beers, so when the editor asked me to write an article about the world’s best beer, Westvleteren, I impressed upon him that it would take at least 2 bottles of each type, 6, 8 and 12, in order to compose anything worthy of publishing.

Look out for the next issue.

We’re Not The Only Ones

I thought that Ginger Tipple was the only gluten-free, alcoholic dry ginger beer on the market. There are a few sweet or semi-dry alcoholic ginger beers such as Crabbies, Stones or Hollows and Fentimans, which I am familiar with.

Gingers Revenge

Until yesterday that is, when I came across Gingers Revenge from Ashville North Carolina. I had a long chat with the owner, David Ackley, and we both felt a bit like the scientists at NASA finally discovering that there others like us out there.

In fact, while I was talking to Dave, I came up with the idea of a ginger beer brewers association. This is quite important for us brewers because we cannot enter most beer competitions as we do not use any grains or malt, perhaps if there are enough of us, they might create a new beer category.

Ginger Beer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Ideas

Gingers Revenge is only available on draft for the time being, and is brewed in a variety of flavours such as Orange Mint, Lemon Thyme, Thai/Basil, Dry-Hopped and Lime Agave. Inspiration for future Ginger Tipple products.

Passover

They are not Kosher for Passover, which keeps us unique.