The Beer Tourist

Last weekend, starting Friday afternoon and lasting until Sunday evening, was the Bierpassion Weekend in Antwerpen. The event took place inside a big tent on Groenplaats, next to the cathedral and under the watchful eyes of Rubens (or at least a statue of him).

156 different beers could be tasted, (almost) all served in attractive tasting glasses. Admittedly, some were more interesting than others. My drinking tokens were spent on great new beers from Leireken, Contreras, De Halve Maan and even the American India Pale Ale-inspired Hop-It from Urthel. Somehow, another American beer promoted by Corsendonk did not really capture my interest, though I suppose you could use their Bud Light to cleanse the palate between the beers.

Furthermore, it is not every day that you get a chance to sample the great Bush Prestige or the Deus, the latter described as the most heavenly drink among the Brut beers in the latest edition of Michael Jackson's The Great Beers of Belgium.

The tent on Groenplaats last weekend truly was a cathedral for beers, proving that passion for greatness did not stop with Rubens in the Scheldestad.

Some don't do compromises. Nørrebro Bryghus offers great beers and good food in a stylish setting. Located in a former metal factory in Nørrebro, conveniently close to Ølbaren and the great little beer shop Høkeren, the venue is rather big, with a beer bar in the basement and a restaurant upstairs. For the latter you can reserve a table on their web site, which is probably a good idea.

They offer the whole range from Belgian specialties to extreme beers from the US West Coast- and they do them all very well.

On the picture is the Furesø Framboise- a Belgian wit with raspberries. In my opinion, a great little beer, with harmonious raspberry flavours. Not overpowering, just subtle raspberry flavours like only Belgians do it.

Now you can even buy three of their regulars on bottle-a better souvenir from Copenhagen is hard to think of.

Recently (and quite naturally, in my opinion) the brewpub has teamed up with another uncompromising brewer, Nøgne Ø from Norway, to create the Double Knot Brown- the first Nordic guest brew. According to the importer Ale-Consult it is a cousin of the Nøgne Ø Imperial Brown Ale, tasted at the festival and truly a beer to build an empire around.

After a hard night out at nearby Ølbaren, a civilised brunch at Nørrebro Bryghus makes you believe in redemption. None of us may be perfect, but at least you can get a taste of perfectionism.