Breweries "Visited"

Friday, March 2, 2012

Return of the Clean Shaven Mack

Beer #83 Tripel Karmeleit / Brouwerij Bosteels, Buggenhout, Belgium

Those readers who know me in real life and not just on the internet may have noticed I've been growing a beard for the past 2.5 months or so.  No particular reason - just woke up one day and didn't want to shave, and the next 75 days went about the same way.  However, all interesting facial hair experiments come to an end, and I decided this week to lose the beard.  Went to a man-spa and got a shave, so we're all back to being able to see my incredibly handsome face again.  It probably wasn't fair of me to deny the world for as long as I did, really.

I will say this, it was definitely a conversation starter, particularly to those who are more used to seeing Corporate Gary than Lumberjack Gary.  In all, the positive comments (dignified, professorial) far outweighed the negative ones (guy from the Hangover, when did you move here from Afghanistan?).  I'm guessing this just might be because people are polite enough to keep their negative comments to themselves, but I'll take what I can get.

So farewell, beard.  It's been a fun winter, and maybe we'll see you again next year.

And from beard, to BEER.  Friday night brings another beer from Belgium, the Tripel Karmeleit from Brouwerij Bosteels.  In the glass, this beer is effervescent, with a clear gold color and a fluffy white head.  The aroma has the scent of bread and light citrus.  When you take a sip, you pick up an earthy, yeast flavor with lemon and banana, and a delightful sweetness.  There's a slight bitterness and peppery notes on the finish.  Another in a long procession of top notch Belgian beers.

This brewery has been family owned since 1791 and has the seventh generation now running the show.  The recipe for this beer stretches back even further, to a monastery in 1679.  They also produce Kwak, a strong ale well worth your time should you find it in a bar near you.
Messed around and got a Tripel double.
Last note on the beer - if you love me, and you do, you'll find a way to buy me some better beer glasses.  Check the glass this beer should be in:


Thing to Think About Today:
The witness protection program-esque beard is a thing of the past.  Clean shaven Gary has returned.  If we're talking returns, it's time for Return of the Mack, people!



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