What’s up, y’all. Philly Beer Week 2010 is finally upon us and we’re thrilled to announce a host of some very serious beer events for your drinking pleasure. No fewer than 5 of our brewers will be flying in for the first time from Belgium, along with Baltimore’s own Brian Stillwater to help make each of these more like extravaganzas than tasting events. We’ll be debuting loads of new stuff throughout the week, so do stop by and share some beers with us.

Here’s where we’ll be…

Beer friends,

Yes, it has been WAY too long since we’ve updated our site, and for that we apologize. But the lack of time spent on web development has only meant increased time working on beer. And some very great developments we’ve made on that front, my friends. So much so that the start of 2010 will find us bringing you a whopping 14 new things on which to feast your palate. And we’re positively giddy about all of them. From our friend Piet at Het Alternatief, we’ll bring you two stunningly original creations – a triple IPA he calls "The Bitter Truth" and an Imperial Belgian Stout called "Ambetanterik" (or simply "fool," translated). From De Hoevebrouwers an intensely hoppy & unique new tripel, from De Dochter Van De Korenaar a new spiced winter ale and a crazy blend of sour & smoke in a wild ale henceforward to be known as "L’Enfant Terrible."

We also introduce our first ventures into new territory, bringing you the little gems of Bierbrouwerij Grand-Café Emelisse in The Netherlands. Undiscovered still, but trust us when we say they’re brewing some of the best stuff in all of Europe. And please, whenever you see it, grab your hands on the Emelisse Imperial Russian Stout. Hot damn. We’re also heading north to Canada and bringing back with us the brilliant saisons (among many, many other things) of our friend Fred Cormier from Hopfenstark. Sorry, draft only for the time being. And lastly, we’re tremendously excited to help bring you the hand-crafted art of Baltimore’s own homebrewing genius, Brian "Stillwater" Strumke. We’ve been working with Brian for the past few months as he ramps up from exquisite homebrew to exquisite commercial brew, and we’re pleased to announce that the official release is now just a few weeks away. Judging from the initial results, this is something you absolutely don’t want to miss.

And after all this? Even more new stuff. Including what we think is quite simply the best beer being brewed in Belgium today. But for now, that’s a secret.

Until later,

Brian

Beer People,

At long last, we’ve updated our distribution page. Do have a look and see if you’re fortunate enough to live within striking distance of any of these fine establishments. We’ll be updating this regularly so please check back. And if there’s somewhere special that you think we should be but we’re not, well dammit, just say so.

2 other items on the agenda:

1. Philly Beer Week – March 6th-March 15th – we’ll be there in full throttle.

2. March 2009 – 2 new breweries, 9 new beers, the launch of 12% on draft. boom.

Au revoir mes amis,

Brian

Fellow Beerians,

After a hard year’s work of planning and red tape, the launch of 12 Percent ales is finally upon us. To begin, we introduce you to 16 wonderfully delicious new beers from six small breweries in Belgium, with the promise of more treats soon to follow.

Due to the small-batch nature of our products, distribution will indeed be limited. But if you’re having trouble finding something, do contact us directly and we’ll figure out a way for you to get it.

Summation: this September, new Belgian beers, find them, drink them.

Onward.

Brian