Sint Sylvester Vooranvond - A HBG Commemorative Ale - The Day After

Last week when Gina and I were in St. Louis, after our tour of AB, we stopped in at Schlafly's Tap Room. We've been to the Tap Room twice, and had a great experience both times - and while we were there we picked up a growler of their Coffee Stout. The stout was a fantastic Christmas treat, but we were really after the growler; I knew we had a free half barrel of Brugge's Sint Sylvester coming at our New Year's Party.

In case you missed the party last evening, we gave away that entire half barrel of beer as a special New Year's surprise - Thanks to Ted and the folks at Brugge, of course - and Gina and I walked out with a growler-full for later contemplation.

As you can see in the picture, this is a cloudy orange brew, with no head and a sweet sharp nose. There's a hint of alcohol in that nose, a dry, tight front, and a smooth mouthfeel with a bit of alcohol bite. It reminds me of Bell's Winter White - a beer we reviewed just a week or two ago. Mild, extremely drinkable, but not the sort of knock out punch you might expect from a Brugge beer. A highly agreeable drink, and one we're proud to have our name on. It's my understanding that this beer is currently on tap at Brugge - so if you want to give it a shot, stop by the restaurant, and let us know what you think.

Our New Year's Party keeps getting better

Not long after I sent out the New Year's invite, I received an email from Ted Miller of Brugge Beer/Brasserie, in which he suggested that maybe we'd like to try on a "delectable little pilot brew from the TH plant. It's a Strong Belgian Blonde thing. I know you've got another Strong Belgian Blonde thing on that night, but I thought that might be kinda fun."

I'd agree.

So near midnight we'll introduce a Hoosier Beer Geek first - A Hoosier Beer Geek 2007 Commemorative Ale - Sint Sylvester Vooranvond from Brugge Beer.

What's the "Sint" about? Let's consult the sacred-texts.com

In Belgium, New Year’s Eve is called Sint Sylvester Vooranvond, Saint Sylvester Eve. The réveillon, or New Year’s Eve family party is thrown. At midnight everyone kisses, exchanges good luck greetings, and drinks toasts to absent relatives and friends. The cities, cafés, and restaurants are crowded with people who bid farewell to the Old Year.

"Sylvester" is the nickname popularly applied to the lazy boy or girl who rises last on the final day of the year. Since "Sylvesters" traditionally have to pay a forfeit to their brothers and sisters, each child tries to be first to bound out of bed on the morning of December 31.

Girls, especially, try to be industrious on this day because of the old saying that one who does not finish her handwork by sunset will remain an old maid throughout the year.