De La Senne

De la Senne Zinne Bir...$3.49 / 11.2oz
The name Zinnebir refers to a term from Brussels tradition, — ‘zinneke’ — slang for the wild mixed-breed dogs that used to inhabit the poor quarters of the city along the Zinne. It means ‘little bastards,’ and has been applied more recently to those young men living in the poor quarters of Brussels who have flemish-speaking fathers and french-speaking mothers (or vice versa). De La Senne brewer Bernard LeBoucq identifies strongly with the ‘little bastards’; he is a French-speaking Bruxellois, brewing in the heart of the Flemish Payottenland.

Bernard came to De La Senne from the Sint Pieters brewery, and brought his Zinnebier with him. The recipe originated in a very Flemish patch of countryside in Sint Pieters, along the Zinne, in the heart of lambic-producing territory. Bernard worried that the folks in the town of Sint Pieters would have a hard time accepting a brewer from the Big City, Brussels, and his beer. No problem. While we were visiting, an old farmer in dirty coveralls, aromatic of cow crap and boasting a grand total of five teeth, dropped in for a glass of Zinnebir, and took the opportunity to profess his devotion to the beer and the local brewery.

It is a tasty and very well-made brew, indeed, and it is only getting better. The Zinnebier has evolved along with the brewer. When Bernard hooked up with Yvan De Baets of De la Senne, the Zinnebier evolved from a strong, malt-focused, 8% alcohol beer to a bright, light, 5.5% beer with the same yeasty complexity, malt backdrop, and refreshing hop bitterness, that the original was known for. We see good things happening as Bernard and Yvan continue to collaborate on new, exciting brews. Look for more De la Senne soon, when construction of their very own brewery wraps up in Spring 2010!
Style: Blonde Ale
ABV: 5.50%

De la Senne Stouterik...$3.49 / 11.2oz
Bernard Leboucq and Yvan De Baets are Belgium’s newest, perhaps smallest, and most fiercely principled brewers in Belgium. In many ways, they represent the small, artisanal breweries that are the heart and soul of Belgian brewing. While the big guys work tirelessly to make the brewing process shorter and cheaper – and their beers as sweetly inoffensive to the masses as can be – there remains, thank goodness, a tough and dedicated bunch of small breweries that are not afraid to make a bold statement.

Interestingly, in Belgium, bold now means a return to the way things used to be, before over-sugaring, over-spicing, and under-hopping became de rigueur. Stouterik is a classic Belgian Stout, in that sense — it’s only 4.5%, contains no spices, won’t make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, but we defy anyone to just drink one. Roasted malts and unmalted roasted barley give layers of dark bitter, chocolatey flavors, and like all De La Senne beers, this one is hopped to the max for drinkability.
Style: Stout
ABV: 4.50%