On Sunday, I made my 3000 words by lunchtime, so earned a Hoegaarden Grand Cru.
I’ve had it before and really enjoyed it, but I didn’t really have a tasting hat on then. This time, I really took my time over it.
There are many of the same flavours as Hoegaarden Wit, though this isn’t a wheat beer, as far as I can tell. Here, though, the accent is on spice (coriander, I guess) rather than citrus, although there are orange flavours). The thing that really stood out for me was how well the spices, the spiciness of the yeast and the alcohol (8.5%) complemented each other. It’s more warming than refreshing. It’s also a really beautiful golden colour, rather than the pale yellow of the Wit.
Both Boak and I are big fans of Hoegaarden Wit (although it’s not as good as it used to be, owned by a big company, etc. etc.) but Grand Cru really is something special. It might even make it into my top ten.
2 replies on “Hoegaarden Grand Cru”
Hiya,
Hope you’ll be able to take a break from writing/revising to visit this, I’ll be giving a seminar at some point TBC however.
Oldies but Goldies Celebrated at World-Famous White Horse
For the 25th time the White Horse in London’s Parson’s Green is holding an
Old Ale Festival to celebrate some of the world’s greatest beer styles.
The beers on offer at the White Horse’s traditional Old Ale Festival during November will be some of the very best examples of historic British beer styles like barley wine, old ale, mild, porter, stout and strong ale.
The event starts on November 23, at 5pm, and runs over three days until the evening of Sunday November 25, with at least 50 beers representing these historic styles from around the world.
Large and small family, regional and microbrewers alike will feature in the White Horse’s festival line-up – with such name as Harveys, Bateman’s and Fullers, Freeminer, Brew Dog and Cottage all being represented.
And, subject to availability, the line up could also be supplemented by some of our innovative brewing cousins from over the water as well as up to 10 European beers and six ciders too.
Other events are planned throughout the weekend, live music on Friday and Saturday night, Morris Dancing from the Leominster Morris on Sunday, and live Jazz to nicely bring the festival to a close on Sunday afternoon. The BBQ will be running all weekend – featuring a hog and buffalo roast – and for those looking for some traditional pub entertainment there will be a variety of bar games like Shove Ha’Penny and Pub Skittles scattered around the pub for everybody’s enjoyment.
During the day on the Saturday Tim O’Rourke, on behalf of the Beer Academy, will be holding two lectures in the function room on beer and food matching. This will be an open invitation to the public to come and see, and taste, how beer is becoming the new wine when it comes to dining.
Commenting on the event, manager Dan Fox says: “We are keen to keep up the very best traditions of the White Horse, and after careful consultation with our loyal customers we decided that the Old Ale Festival is a keenly anticipated event in their calendar.â€
“As this is the 25th anniversary it’s only right that we celebrate it in style by getting some of the very best examples of such diverse beer styles – to showcase the versatility and excellence of not only the UK’s brewers but of those from around the world.â€
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For further information please contact:
Ben Lockwood
The White Horse
T: 0207 7362115 E: Ben@whitehorsesw6.com W: http://www.whitehorsesw6.com
You don’t write, you don’t call, and now you’re advertising in our comments…? Tsk.