April 12, 2016 · Team HG
Last April 7, 8, and 9, the Martinikerk in Groningen was the setting for many (inter)national draft and bottled beers during the sixth edition of the Groningen Beer Festival. More than 250 beers were served, several masterclasses took place, and the results of the competitions are known.
During the festival, many domestic and international breweries were represented across 50 stands. Breweries and importers mostly staffed their own stands so that expert knowledge regarding the beers could be shared. The masterclasses by prominent beer connoisseurs were informative and are attracting increasing attention. For the next time, organizer Maik van Heerd wants to put together a different program featuring big names and more international flair. “We currently have offerings for beer beginners and true beer fanatics; there is still too little in between. The culture needs to grow.”
Seven-course beer dinner
Prior to the festival, the Beer Dinner took place in the church on Thursday, April 7. The dinner, consisting of regional products, was accompanied by specialty beers from the region. Each dish was explained from the pulpit by Melissa Cole (British beer sommelier), and most of the brewers of the beers served were present to explain their own beers. Over 600 visitors enjoyed the seven-course dinner.
Brewing competition results
Both amateurs and professional breweries were given the opportunity to participate in brewing competitions. For the amateurs, the challenge was to brew the best Milk Stout: a specialty beer made from roasted barley resulting in notes of chocolate or coffee, with the addition of lactose powder, which creates a creamy cappuccino flavor, according to Maik van Heerd. Under the watchful eye of a jury consisting of professional judges, Jacob van der Merwe emerged as the winner of this competition.
Among professional breweries, too, the battle for the best-brewed Milk Stout took place. The judging consisted of half expert judges and half a consumer jury. In this way, there is no conflict between good and tasty, but the result relies equally on the assessments of both jury parties, notes Van Heerd. Brewery Van der Streek from Utrecht took home the first prize with the special Milk Stout edition of Dark Roast, named Cappuccino. In addition to the title ‘Best Milk Stout’, a competition was also held for ‘The Best and Tastiest Tripel’, which was won by the Groningse Bierbrouwerij, known for Grunn beer. This Tripel was brewed in Belgium by the contract brewery.
Best Beer & Food Pairing
Hospitality businesses in the Netherlands were given the chance this year to show who knows how to create the best beer and food pairing. Eleven participating establishments were judged by the three-member jury, consisting of Derek Walsh, Melissa Cole, and Els Eggens. Brian Hendriks of ’t Feithhuis in Groningen managed to convince the jury with his dish paired with the Smoked Porter ‘Koud Vuur’ from Bax Brewery. The chefs from Makro and Tapasco, both from Groningen, followed him closely. With this, The Feith House winner of this title for the third time in a row.
It Beer festival It can now call itself the event with the largest beer tasting and the largest beer dinner in the Netherlands. For 2017, the festival is scheduled for April 20, 21, and 22 in the familiar and atmospheric Martinikerk.
