Next week I will leave for a beer journey to the fantastic beer country of Belgium! I’m going along with a group of brewers, beer writers, brewery reps, and beer fanatics headed up by estimable Owen Ogletree. Owen has been putting on these fantastic beer journeys for many years now and they are always amazing. Last year we traveled to Munich, Vienna, Pilsen and Prague with many stops along the way. Standing in the lagering cellars of Pilnser Urquell drinking the fabulous pilsner beer truly from the source…right out of the wooden conditioning tanks, is something I’ll cherish the rest of my life. Simply an amazing experience.

This year we are headed to Belgium. We’ll be staying in Brussels, but taking day trips all over the country with stops at places like De Cam Café, Bierbrasserie Cambrinus, Du Bocq Brewery, Achouffe Brewery, Brouwers Verzet (the brewery where Three Tavern’s brewer, Joran brewed), Duvel Brewery, Westmalle Trappisten, Brasserie Dubuisson, and the incredible Cantillion just to name a few. I’m beyond excited!

Last year’s trip inspired me to come home and brew Max Black Lager, which as it turns out, is a dead ringer for U’Flecku’s nearly 500 year old black beer (though it has changed through the years) and Wry King Max Imperial Rye Pilsner, which is one of my favorites now. Who knows what this year will inspire? Whatever it is, it’s going to be good!