France has wine shows. Germany has its Oktoberfest. Belgium has beer festivals. Mention that you've frequented Belgian beer fests to a fellow enthusiast and you may get some envy or respect--for good reason. These events typically appeal to the aficionado rather than the casual beer drinker. Every year, thousands of Belgian and foreign beer hounds travel to towns big and small across the ... Read Full Article
Poland’s Craft Beer Scene
It is refreshing to find craft brewers emerging throughout Europe these days. While those traditional pale lagers pair naturally with a lot of Polish cuisine, sometimes a guy's just got to have an IPA with his pierogi. Fortunately, there is no need to import. Craft breweries are popping up all over the place in Poland, and at least a few of them make a good IPA, among other ... Read Full Article
Old-School Brewing in Brussels
There is an inherent irony today when we talk about Belgian beer. For most people, the term "Belgian beer" connotes monks brewing strong ales with difficult names and an alcohol content that can knock you off your bar stool if you are not prepared. Think of Chimay, Leffe or even Hoegaarden — the latter making up for its secularity and average strength with a name that confounds almost everyone — ... Read Full Article
The Best Places to Eat (and Drink) in Edinburgh
One of the better lines from the movie, So I Married An Axe Murderer, is when Mike Myers’ character says, “I think most Scottish cuisine is based on a dare.” While certainly not a universal truth, who could argue that the Deep Fried Mars Bar was not the result of a sober conversation. But, overall, Scottish food gets a bad rap. Edinburgh is not short on culinary delights. Whether you are ... Read Full Article
A Guide to Latvian Beer
For a country of 2 million people, Latvia certainly punches above its weight in producing many quality beers. Unfortunately, no one has ever heard of these beers because the really good stuff is 1.) made without preservatives and has a very short shelf life, and 2.) nearly impossible for non-Latvians to pronounce. That means you actually have to come to Latvia to try the beer. Afterward, you ... Read Full Article
Which Dublin Pub Crawl is for You?
I remember one of my first experiences in Dublin, crawling from bar to bar during the Guinness Blues Festival which takes place each year between the months of May and June. Pubs across town host acts small and large -- all blues related -- and Irish and blues enthusiasts alike have yet another excuse to go out pubbing. Not that you need excuses in Dublin, really. If anything you need an excuse ... Read Full Article
A Guide to Polish Beer
After a long day of seeing the sights in Krakow, there’s nothing better than drinking a culturally-relevant libation. Poland has a flourishing Craft Beer scene with many delicious brews. This Polish beer guide is designed to help you choose the best Polish beer during your vacation. While most people think that the drink of Poland is vodka, consumer surveys report that beer is the most popular ... Read Full Article
Celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Dublin
There’s an old joke in Dublin that says the Irish only drink one day of the year: St Patrick’s Day. The rest of the year they spend ‘practicing’ for the big day. Every March 17 the Irish capital city becomes a sea of green in celebration of the patron saint of Ireland. Dublin’s famous black brew – Guinness – fills glasses in pubs throughout the city and the day is spent listening to traditional ... Read Full Article
Warm up to English Beer
Although everyone knows that England is an island, it sometimes takes the dissection of a particular subject to fully remember just how separate the country can be. One such point of comparison is the tradition of English beer. Warmer fermentation, as opposed to the lager-based traditions of the Czech Republic or parts of Germany , has given England a long history of porters, ales and ... Read Full Article
European Beer: Tipple Across Europe on St. Paddy’s Day
In time for another of Europe’s favourite days for a tipple of beer - St. Patrick’s Day - here is a guide to five countries where you’ll get a history lesson with every pint (don’t worry, you won’t be quizzed). When you think European beverages, you probably conjure up French wine, Italian Limoncello, Russian vodka, or maybe Greek ouzo if you’re adventurous. European beer, although always a ... Read Full Article