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