Have you ever had Taras Boulba? No? Then get to The Sovereign on 4/17.
Have you ever had Taras Boulba? Yes? Then get to The Sovereign on 4/17.
On Wednesday, April 17, Yvan de Baets, will be at 1206 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. The Sovereign will be pouring eight Brasserie De La Senne beers at a tasting that you, dear reader, can attend. The five beers on draft are Jambe-de-Bois (Tripel), Stouterik (Stout), Taras Boulba (Blond Ale), Zinnebir (Pale Ale), Zenne Pils (Pilsner). Bottles include Brett Porter (Porter w/ Brettanomyces), Saison De la Senne (Saison Blended w/ Cantillon Lambic), and Wadesa #9 (Tripel Blended w/ Cantillon Lambic).
On his trip de Baets will also be brewing with Pen Druid Fermentation. Pen Druid brewed with de Baets at De La Senne in March, and now de la Senne will return the favor.
DC Beer asked area brewers and beverage experts what they thought of Yvan de Baets and why people should get tickets to try his beers.
Jennings Carney, co-owner of Pen Druid Fermentation:
“He’s [Yvan] a legend. You cannot talk about modern craft beer or just modern beer without Yvan. His scholarship, constant willingness to be open to insight and serendipity of new information, his curiosity and craftsmanship as a philosopher, brewer, historian and artist puts Yvan at the center of our world as Brewer’s, consumers and lovers of good food and drink. He’s a remarkable brewer and beer historian as well as a wonderful human being.”
Emily Brown, beverage director, Andy’s Pizza:
“I got to meet Yvan this past summer. A single visit with Yvan reignited my passion for work as his own passion is infectious. He is fascinating, resolute, and principled and his beers are the stuff dreams are made of, run don’t walk to meet him while he is in D.C.!”
Joe Stange, managing editor, Craft Beer & Brewing:
“If I had to pick only one beer to drink for the rest of my life, it would be Taras Boulba. Senne beers have a specific taste—bitter, dry, with a full embrace of Noble hop flavors complemented by expressive yeast—and that taste is Yvan’s taste, and he makes no apologies. For his skilled use of hops and stewardship of fermentation, he is one of the best brewers in the world. Best of all, from the listener’s perspective, there is thought and philosophy behind every choice in the brewhouse and cellar. Just to hear the guy talk about yeast is worth the price of admission.”
Ben Little, head brewer, Other Half DC:
“The thing that I adore about Yvan and de la Senne is that it’s a brewer’s brewery making brewer’s beer. It’s about history, very specific (and often hand-chosen) ingredients, balance and a sense of both love and respect for yeast that very few brewers have. And for me, Taras Boulba is the epitome of this ethos. I’m not sure that you could find a better example of a brewer’s beer than it. It’s perfect to me and the only thing that I’ll order if it’s on tap.”
So come see what has inspired so many brewers, editors, and beverage directors. Amongst the inspiration is of course Taras Boulba, the brand that launched 1,000 pale, bitter, dry beers.
Can’t make it on the 17th? Cantillon’s annual Zwanzee Day is Saturday, April 20.
