Geel, Belgium – The Geel Brewery Museum, nestled in the Antwerp Province, unveils a novel libation: a distilled rendition originating from what was initially intended as their signature Tripel beer, a robust pale ale akin to the renowned Westmalle Tripel.
The genesis of this unique concoction traces back to a mishap when their previous brewer, now defunct, mistakenly delivered an inferior Tripel variant. “The taste was abysmal, but we managed to salvage something superior and distinctive from it,” elucidates the brewery museum.
Patrons visiting the Geel Brewery Museum will soon have the opportunity to acquire the J. B. Stessens, a spirit forged from another brew concocted in-house: the Sint-Amandus Tripel. “We introduced this brew around two years ago, and it immediately garnered tremendous acclaim,” recounts Ludo Helsen, chairman and custodian of the Geel Brewery Museum’s collection.
The Tripel’s soaring popularity prompted additional production runs. “Initially, we brewed 500 liters, but demand necessitated sourcing a brewery capable of producing larger quantities,” remarks Helsen. A brewery in West Flanders was enlisted for this purpose. “However, after an initial flawless delivery, complications arose: only one pallet of the beverage arrived, while another was erroneously dispatched to South America.”
Bankruptcy Befalls Brewer
Furthermore, the consignment that did arrive proved undrinkable. “I recognize the taste of my own beer, even in its nascent stage. This was wholly undrinkable. Subsequent investigation revealed it was an entirely different brew,” discloses Helsen. Soon, it emerged that the brewer was teetering on the brink of insolvency, having forwarded a batch of readily available beer. “The bottles bore our label, rendering the substitution imperceptible.”
Compelled to retain the unsuitable beer until the brewer’s bankruptcy declaration, Helsen sought a solution. “I couldn’t bring myself to discard it all, so in September of last year, I reached out to Domein Walterus, a vineyard in Poederlee. They boast a distillery and upon sampling the misdelivered beer, they concurred it was unfit for consumption but recognized its potential due to its spiciness.”
Numbered Edition of 240 Bottles
Thus, the J. B Stessens spirit was born, christened after a local artist. “I initially intended to label it as ‘eau de bière’, but regulatory constraints precluded it. Nor does it qualify as gin, as it isn’t solely grain-derived,” explains Helsen. According to him, the libation exudes notes of pine, complemented by hints of orange and lemon. “An ideal companion for balmy summer evenings,” he adds.
A limited run of 240 individually numbered bottles of the Stessens spirit has been produced, exclusively available for purchase at the museum for 40 euros each. “This distinctive libation has elicited a flurry of orders. Additionally, we will conduct a draw among purchasers, offering an extra surprise,” reveals Helsen.
The Geel Brewery Museum welcomes visitors on two Sundays per month, with admission being complimentary.
