It was a fantastic event.
I recommend Mekong Restaurant, http://www.mekong-restaurant.com/. It carries a wide assortment of Belgian beers and a large number of beers from other countries. The food is good and the prices are reasonable.
My scorecard:
Match #1, Saison, Saison Dupont v. North coast Le Merle
This was a close call. Saison Dupont had funk and sass. Le Merle was smoother and apple-fruitier. My preference was Saison Dupont but I could not disagree with someone who chose Le Merle.
Match #2, Belgian IPA Style, Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor v. Green Flash Le Freak
Le Freak was an easy choice. The hops were bolder and complemented nicely the other components of the beer. It was a surprisingly good beer.
Match #3, Strong Golden Ale, Delirium Tremens v.
Tremens was an easy choice. It was fuller, richer, and more complex.
Match #4, Dubbel, Maredsous 8 v.
This was a close call. I thought that Maredsous had a little more complexity and liked a sweet apple flavor that flashed through up front.
Match #5, Triple, La Rulles Triple v. Allagash Triple
La Rulles was an easy choice. Allagash was thick and too sweet.
Match #6, Strong Dark Ale, Nostradamus v.
This was a close call but I thought the Local 2 tasted better.
Match #7, Belgian Style Stout, Van den Bossche Buffalo v. Allagash Black
Black was an easy choice. It had more smoke and lies between the English and Belgian versions of Stout. The Belgian version is a Strong Dark Ale in my book. I like smoke.
Match #8, Grand Cru, Abbaye de Rocs Grand Cru v. Southampton Grand Cru
Match #9, Quad ( Monster Ale), St. Bernardus ABT 12 v. Smuttynose Gravitation
Gravitation is really good.
Match #10, Holly Ale, Rochefort 10 Holly Trappist Ale v. Avery-Russian Collaboration Salvation
Rochefort was an easy choice. Collaboration is really good. Rochefort 10 is really, really, good.
Match #11, Wild ass ale, Duchess de Bourgogne Flemish Sour Red Ale v. Avery Brabant Limited Edition weird ass ale aged in Zinfandel barrel
Beer
