I wish I was the first person to point this out, but it is a pretty funny coincidence that the same week that a Belgian brewing conglomerate buys Anheuser-Busch is also host to a Belgian beer festival at the Schlafly Tap Room.  If you’ve never had some of Schlafly’s Belgian offerings, this weekend gives you the perfect opportunity to try them.  Brennan Green sent me over a list of some of the treats Schlafly has in store for this weekend:

• Grand Cru: 9% abv and made with four different belgian yeast strains and left to age in tank for over four months
• Witbier: brewed with locally grown Alhambra unmalted wheat (harvested on July 8th) as well as lots of coriander and orange peel
• ‘07 Tripel
• Biere De Garde
• Casks of Grand Cru and Biere de Garde

He also let me know that just for this festival they’ll be serving their new Barrel aged Grand Cru, They aged this beer for two and a half months in the bourbon barrels previously used for the Imperial Stout.  Oh, I hear there will be some mussels too.  This “festival” runs on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19th from 5:00 p.m.-Midnight  both days.  There is no cost for the event, just show up and buy some mussels and beer!

In the continuing series of beer classes put on by Andy Snead from Whole Foods, this month brings us a tasting of Tripels from around the world:

Come with us on a “tripel” around the world as we celebrate this fantastic style of beer. The name “Tripel” actually stems from part of the brewing process, in which brewers use up to three times the amount of malt than a standard Belgian ale. Traditionally, Tripels are bright yellow to gold in color, which is a shade or two darker than the average Pilsner. Head should be big, dense and creamy. Aroma and flavor runs along complex, spicy phenols, powdery yeast, fruity with a sweet finish. Bitterness is up there for a beer with such a light body for its strength, but at times is barely perceived amongst the even balance of malts and hops. The lighter body comes from the use of Belgian candy sugar (up to 25% sucrose), which not only lightens the body, but also adds complex alcoholic aromas and flavors. Small amounts of spices are sometimes added as well. And, they are downright delicious. We’ll taste tripels from all over, so join us on this ride round the world, or at least through America and Europe. Cheers!

These are always extremely fun events with plenty of knowledge along with plenty of great beer. This event will be held on April 16 at Whole Foods in Brentwood from 6:30-8PM. The cost of the event is $20 and tickets can be purchased here.

Paul over at the Wine and Cheese Place in Clayton alerts me to a Bell’s limited release that made it’s way into St. Louis, Bell’s Sparkling Ale. Here’s what Bell’s has to say about it:

Fill your glass and toast your friends with this special brew. Our take on a “glass of the bubbly,” Sparkling Ale is an American Triple - light in color with a subtle fruit body.

Only 56 cases arrived in St. Louis, so this is one that’s sure to sell out quickly. Paul also informed me that 5 liter mini-kegs of Two-Hearted ale arrived as well. If you’ve never had it, Two-Hearted is one of the best IPAs in America. This is the perfect beer to bring to one of your upcoming holiday parties.